Before going in for a beauty treatment, it’s important that you know exactly what kind of results you can expect. That’s why one of the most common questions we get asked is, “how long do lip fillers last?”
If you’re considering lip fillers, this post covers what they are and how long they last. We’ll also go over the different lip filler options we offer at SEV Laser, to help you figure out which will be best for you.
What Are Lip Fillers?
Lip fillers are a type of injectable treatment that (as you can guess from the name) fills up the lips. Nowadays, most lip fillers are made of hyaluronic acid gel.
You might already know hyaluronic acid from your favorite serum, but our body actually produces it naturally – especially when we’re young! It’s a very safe ingredient, and when formulated into an injectable gel, it gives the lips a fuller look pretty much immediately, with minimal invasiveness or downtime.
Lip fillers are regulated by the FDA, and they’re classified as Aesthetic Surgery Products. Lip filler injections can only be performed by trained healthcare professionals like physicians, assistant physicians, or registered nurses.
Historically, some lip fillers were also made of collagen. Almost all injectors have abandoned them in favor of hyaluronic acid, which lasts longer and has fewer side effect risks.
How Long Do Lip Fillers Last?
Most companies that produce lip fillers claim that their products will last for up to a year with proper care. Since they’re made of hyaluronic acid, the body eventually metabolizes the filler and the effect fades.
However, in our experience, the exact amount of time that lip fillers can last really varies from client to client. Most of our clients notice that their fillers dissolve faster after the first treatment. In some cases, your lips can return to their normal volume after as little as 3 months.
But then, with regular touch-ups, fillers can last for significantly longer. In some cases, the lips can still appear volumized even beyond that first year.
If you’re nervous that you’ll fall out of love with your fillers, it’s also possible to dissolve them with a hyaluronidase injection.
Lip Filler Types
There are a few different types of lip fillers we can use, depending on the type of look you want.
- Juvéderm® Ultra XC is the most popular lip filler. It’s fantastic for creating very volumized, plump lips with a lot of drama, although the amount of filler used and the injector’s technique will also impact results.
- Juvéderm® Volbella™ XC is an anti-aging lip filler that helps to smooth out the lipline and reduce lines and wrinkles around the lips, without plumping them up or adding too much volume.
- Restylane® Kysse is a hyaluronic acid injectable with a softer, more fluid texture. It gives the lips more subtle volume, for a naturally full pout that’s a little plumper but is also still soft and supple.
Normally, we recommend starting out with a full syringe of lip filler. If you’re a little nervous, half a syringe will give a very subtle look.
How Common Are Lip Filler Procedures?
Lip fillers are extremely popular these days, in part because they’re so versatile. Around 2.6 million people came in for hyaluronic acid injectables in 2020. We don’t know exactly how many of them opted for lip fillers, but we would guess it’s between a quarter and half.
By choosing the right type of filler and the right amount, you can end up with anything from subtle enhancement to a full, Angelina Jolie-esque pout. Because the options are so diverse, it’s not always obvious who has had lip filler and who hasn’t.
What Happens Before a Lip Filler Procedure
At SEV Laser, we follow a few very important protocols before injecting lip fillers. Before you come in for your appointment, we will send you a thorough consent form. That’s how we guarantee that you’re a good candidate for injectables and that we can treat you safely.
When you come in for your appointment, our nurse will give you a numbing cream to help prevent some of the discomfort during the injection. Then, we’ll consult with you on the look you hope to achieve. If you have any questions, your nurse will be happy to answer all of them!
Once the cream has had a chance to numb your lips, we’ll disinfect the lip area and start injecting. Even with the local anesthetic, you may still feel a bit of discomfort. We’ll inject at a few different spots, based on the look you want. After the treatment, you will probably experience a bit of swelling or bruising. You might even worry that your lips look too big! However, the swelling is perfectly normal. You can ice the area to deal with any residual pain or inflammation.
Within a few days, the swelling will calm down and you’ll be able to admire your newly volumized lips.
Getting Lip Fillers at SEV Laser
If you think you’d like to give lip fillers a try, we’re here for you. All SEV Laser injectors are registered nurses who have gone through a high level of aesthetic training. We carry a wide range of hyaluronic acid-based fillers, so we can help guide you towards the formula that’ll work best for you. You can book now at any of our locations, and you’ll have a fuller pout before you know it.
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