All About Lip Fillers- An In-Depth Study
From dance trends and transformation journeys to Emily Mariko’s salmon rice bowls, it’s clear that TikTok is a catalyst for fads. Within the realm of plastic surgery, this emerging social platform is illuminating trends both new and old. It’s facilitating dialogue by offering influencers, patients, and doctors a platform to converse about prevalent aesthetic procedures.
The most recent hot topic? “Lip flips” — a beauty treatment that seems almost unbelievably effective. Lip flips provide a plumper appearance without actually enhancing the lip’s volume. Even though the latest platform may have highlighted them, they are not a new concept.
“We have been performing lip flips with neurotoxin around the mouth for many years,” says Ashley Amalfi, MD, a New York-based plastic surgeon and member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. “It is not new at all but has gained a lot of popularity in recent years.”
What potential hazards or complications are associated with this procedure?
Discuss potential post-procedure issues with your cosmetic surgeon. Surgical lip augmentation tends to have a higher risk of complications. However, non-surgical lip augmentation is not without risks either.
Generally, potential hazards and complications may encompass:
- Allergic reactions such as skin irritation and itchiness.
- Hemorrhaging.
- bruises.
- Contamination.
- Rigidity of lips.
- scars.
- Inflammation.
- Asymmetrical lips.
Understanding Lip Flip
A lip flip refers to a technique that employs neuromodulators like Botox to soothe a muscle located in the upper lip, leading to a “flip” of the lip and creating an illusion of a more voluminous upper lip. This technique varies from lip fillers, which involve injections directly into the lip as opposed to over it. However, some individuals may find lip flips to provide a more organic appearance compared to fillers.
“Lip flips with neurotoxin around the mouth have been a part of our practice for quite some time,” states Ashley Amalfi, MD, a plastic surgeon based in New York and part of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. “This procedure isn’t novel, but it has certainly seen a rise in popularity recently.”
Lip Fillers
From dance trends and transformation journeys, to Emily Mariko’s salmon rice bowls, it’s clear that TikTok is a catalyst for fads. Within the realm of plastic surgery, this emerging social platform is illuminating trends both new and old. It’s facilitating dialogue by offering influencers, patients, and doctors a platform to converse about prevalent aesthetic procedures.
The most recent hot topic? “Lip flips” — a beauty treatment that seems almost unbelievably effective. Lip flips provide a plumper appearance without actually enhancing the lip’s volume. Even though the latest platform may have highlighted them, they are not a new concept.
“We have been performing lip flips with neurotoxin around the mouth for many years,” says Ashley Amalfi, MD, a New York-based plastic surgeon and member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. “It is not new at all but has gained a lot of popularity in recent years.
Who is the right candidate?
Just like any other surgical intervention, a lip flip might not be the right fit for everyone’s smile, even those who might be apt for lip fillers.
Dr. Amalfi states, “The ideal candidate is a person who has a hyperactive muscle around their mouth causing their upper lip to either turn inward or pull up considerably when they smile.” “The lip flip procedure employs a neurotoxin such as Botox to relax this hyperactive muscle, hence allowing more of the upper lip to be visible when the patient smiles.”
Dr. Amalfi explains that the ‘lip flip’ technique allows the muscle to relax slightly, resulting in a straighter line at the top of the mouth when a person smiles. This reveals just a hint of the teeth, creating what is often considered a more attractive smile. Notably, this differs from smiles that expose the full set of teeth or parts of the gums.
Lip flips compared to lip fillers
Lip flips and lip fillers might sound alike, but they are two completely distinct treatments. Lip flips employ a neuromodulator like Botox, while lip fillers involve injecting a denser substance, such as hyaluronic acid, right into the lips.
“Predominantly, I use hyaluronic acid which comes in varying consistencies”, states Dr. Amalfi. “Some are much thinner, yielding a more understated outcome, but there’s a wide spectrum of them.”
Possible Adverse Reactions
Like all aesthetic or restorative procedures, possible adverse reactions are present, making it crucial to consult with a licensed cosmetic surgeon to determine if a lip flip is suitable for you.
Dr. Ramanadham clarifies that if the treatment isn’t customized to your individual anatomy and examination, clients might observe a change in the form of their smile or a heavy top lip. “Moreover, if the therapy is not correctly measured and is overly aggressive, it may lead to salivating or trouble holding a seal when drinking from a straw or sipping a beverage.”
Though TikTok videos may display the best outcomes, it’s crucial to understand that not every patient is suitable for the specific process you might be viewing. Ensure to discuss with a certified plastic surgeon who is a part of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons when determining the right procedure for you.
“Lip filler benefits a wide range of patients,” clarifies Michele Shermak, MD, a Maryland-based plastic surgeon, debunking the misconception that it’s solely for those desiring fuller lips. “Filler isn’t inherently ducky-looking,” she states. “The primary concern is patient selection — it’s about whether the plastic surgeon can meet the patient’s expectations, and the surgeon needs to assess if the objectives are feasible or suitable.”
Indeed, Dr. Shermak has dedicated a significant portion of recent years to rectifying overly filled lips and erroneous beliefs from patients. It’s undeniable that lip fillers have become equivalent to enhancing volume, but they also offer a number of lesser-known yet equally crucial benefits. Given these factors and more, it’s not unexpected that the plastic surgery statistics full report from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons revealed that 3.4 million Americans underwent soft tissue filler injections.
Moreover, the filler typically used for lips, hyaluronic acid, was administered to over 2.6 million individuals, and while not everyone may have received lip injections, it’s safe to presume that a significant percentage did.
In the following, Dr. Shermak along with Kelly Sullivan, MD, a plastic surgeon from Boston, elucidate how lip filler can enhance a pout.
Fixing Lip Asymmetry
It’s quite common for faces to be somewhat asymmetrical, so minor unevenness in the lips isn’t typically prominent. However, noticeably imbalanced lips can be a significant issue impacting a person’s self-esteem.
Dr. Sullivan explains that lip filler can be used to correct asymmetries caused by factors such as one side being less full than the other, or scarring that has changed the shape of the lip. “With such patients, we modify the shape of their lip to match the other side. We address the aspects that are causing them discomfort, with the ultimate aim being to make the lips appear balanced with each other.”
Dr. Shermak elucidates that the upper lip is usually smaller than the lower lip in Caucasian individuals. Conversely, in other racial groups, the upper and lower lips tend to have nearly the same volume. However, she notes, “patients usually express their desired appearance, and I base my work on that” when it comes to correcting uneven lips.
Minimizes the visibility of thin lines around lips and mouth region
“Lip filler is a highly revitalizing procedure for women beginning to exhibit aging indicators, usually in their 50s and onwards,” Dr. Shermak mentions, and she adds that research indicates that one of the most prominent signs of aging is lip narrowing. “The fantastic part is that with the fillers we have, we can offer a broad spectrum of fill, from subtle to extremely full, according to the patient’s requirements and objectives.”
Understanding Lip Augmentation
Lip augmentation is a cosmetic procedure performed in-office, designed to provide fuller and more youthful lips. Various types of lip augmentation procedures are available to suit your requirements and aspirations. Some methods are non-invasive, utilizing fillers to temporarily enhance lip volume. Alternatively, some procedures may involve minor incisions on your lips or face for results with greater longevity.
What are the different methods of lip enhancement?
Methods of lip enhancement comprise:
- Fat grafting (also known as autologous fat injections or fat transfer): This involves a plastic surgeon extracting fat from another part of your body, often your stomach, purifying it, and then injecting it into your lips.
- Lip fillers are injected by a healthcare provider into your lips or around your mouth, also referred to as a dermal filler.
- Lip implants: In this procedure, a plastic surgeon creates a small incision in each corner of your mouth and inserts an implant into your lips.
Lip-lift: Here, a plastic surgeon eliminates excess skin located between your nose and upper lip (or the corners of your mouth) to elevate your lips.
What are the various kinds of lip fillers?
Mostly, lip fillers utilized by healthcare professionals contain hyaluronic-acid, a natural compound present in our bodies. Popular hyaluronic acid fillers are Restylane® and Juvéderm®. Some fillers also have lidocaine injection, which is used to numb the skin to avoid any pain or discomfort during the process.
What is the duration of lip augmentation results?
The longevity of enhanced lips can differ based on the technique used. For instance:
- Lip fillers can stay for six months to a year.
- Fat grafting endures for a minimum of five years.
- A lip lift has a permanent effect.
Though lip implants are permanent, they can be extracted whenever desired.
What is the best method for lip enhancement?
The best method for lip enhancement is different for everyone. It largely depends on the specific results you wish to achieve and the existing shape and size of your lips. For example, if you want long-lasting results, lip implants or a lip lift might be the ideal choice.
However, if your lips are very thin or asymmetrical, implants might not be the best option. It’s important to discuss with your healthcare provider to determine the most suitable approach for you.
Who is suitable for lip enhancement?
Your plastic surgeon will assist you in determining if you’re a suitable candidate for lip enhancement and which method is best for you.
Typically, you’re a suitable candidate for lip enhancement if you:
- Are in good physical health.
- Don’t smoke or can quit smoking prior to the procedure.
- Don’t have a current infection such as cold-sores.
- Don’t have a chronic illness like diabetes or lupus.
Have practical expectations about your potential outcomes.
Lip Augmentation
During lip augmentation, the medical practitioner employs a thin needle to introduce the filler into your lips. This procedure usually lasts between 10 to 30 minutes.
What’s the post-procedure scenario for lip fillers?
After the procedure, you’ll be given guidelines to assist in the healing of your lips and to maximize the outcome. The cosmetic surgeon might recommend:
- Consuming easily chewable food for the initial days.
- Keeping your head raised while sleeping.
- Avoiding excessive lip movement.
Applying a cold compress to your lips for a few days.
What are the risks or complications of this procedure?
Talk to your plastic surgeon about potential issues after lip augmentation. Your chances for risks and complications go up with surgical lip augmentation. But nonsurgical lip augmentation also has risks.
In general, possible risks and complications include:
- Allergic reactions like redness and itching.
- Bleeding.
- Bruising.
- Infection.
- Lip stiffening.
- Scarring.
- Swelling.
- Uneven lips.
Recovery and Future Expectations
How long does the recovery process take?
The length of the recovery process is dependent on the type of lip augmentation procedure you opt for. Lip fillers usually have a minimal recovery period. However, surgical lip augmentation could take a few days to several weeks for the reduction of bruising, redness, and swelling.
When can I return to my usual activities?In the case of nonsurgical lip augmentation, it is usually possible to return to work immediately. On the other hand, surgical lip augmentation may necessitate some downtime. Your plastic surgeon may advise you to avoid exercise and other physically demanding activities for up to several weeks, regardless of the lip augmentation procedure you decide on.
When To Consult a Physician
When is the right time to consult my health service provider?
Immediately contact your cosmetic surgeon if you experience:
- Any signs of allergic reaction or infection.
- Persistent bruising.
- Heavy bleeding.
- Fever.
- Extreme inflammation.
Many individuals are seeking treatments to reduce the appearance of smile lines and crow’s feet, and to enhance the fullness of their lips, cheeks, and hands.
By introducing dermal-fillers, soft-tissue-fillers into the face and hands, it is possible to enhance the look of facial lines and loss of volume due to aging or certain health conditions. According to research on dermal fillers authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, most people express satisfaction with the outcomes of their treatments.
However, not everyone is a suitable candidate for dermal fillers. People with certain health issues such as bleeding disorders or specific allergies may not be considered suitable for dermal fillers. If your healthcare professional confirms that dermal fillers could be a choice for you, remember that all medical treatments have their own advantages and disadvantages. The FDA suggests working with a licensed healthcare professional who is skilled in administering dermal fillers, knowledgeable about fillers, anatomy, managing complications, and importantly, enlightens you about the risks and benefits prior to the treatment.
Understanding Dermal Fillers
Under the skin, dermal fillers are injected, which are substances that resemble a gel. They are designed to provide a smoother and fuller look, or both.
Dermal fillers are medical devices regulated by the FDA. According to clinical trials, most FDA-approved dermal-fillers have temporary effects because the body eventually absorbs and breaks down the materials they are made from. To keep the desired effect, the injection procedure may need to be repeated.
Dermal Filler Varieties
The materials included in temporary fillers are:
- Hyaluronic acid, a natural sugar found within the body
- Calcium hydroxylapatite, a mineral that is a key component of bone
- Poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA), a synthetic, biodegradable substance
There is a single FDA-approved dermal filler that doesn’t get absorbed by the body. It consists of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) beads suspended in a bovine (cow) collagen solution. PMMA beads are minuscule, round, smooth plastic beads.
Uses of dermal fillers sanctioned by FDA
For individuals aged 22 and above, dermal fillers have been approved for certain applications. These include:
- Addressing moderate to severe facial wrinkles and skin folds
- Enhancing the fullness of lips, cheeks, chin, under-eye hollows, jawline, and the back of the hand
- Replenishing facial fat loss in persons suffering from human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
Rectifying acne scars present on the cheek
Unapproved Fillers: Warnings from the FDA
Injectable silicone or any injectable fillers for body contouring or enhancement have not received approval from the FDA. The FDA has issued warnings against using fillers for injection into the breasts, buttocks, or spaces between the muscles. Serious injury may result from using injectable filler for large-scale body contouring or enhancement, including enduring pain, infection, irreversible scarring or disfigurement, and it may even be fatal.
The FDA also advises against purchasing or utilizing lip or facial fillers sold directly to consumers. These are not sanctioned by the FDA and could be contaminated with infectious organisms or chemicals. The only dermal fillers that have received FDA approval are provided via a prescription and are to be injected by a certified healthcare professional using a needle with a syringe or a cannula (a small, flexible tube with a blunt end that is inserted beneath the skin).
Hazards of Fillers Approved by FDA
Just like any clinical procedure, there’s an element of risk attached to the utilization of dermal fillers. A majority of the side effects related to dermal fillers, such as swelling and bruising, appear soon after the injection and often resolve in a few days or weeks. However, there can be instances when side effects may become apparent weeks, months, or even years later.
Usual hazards encompass:
- Bruising
- Redness
- Swelling
- Pain
- Tenderness
- Itching
- Rash
Challenges in conducting tasks (only noticed when injected into the backside of the hand)
Unusual hazards include:
- Inflammation like swelling or redness near the injection site of dermal filler might occur post viral or bacterial diseases or infections, vaccines, or dental procedures
- Elevated lumps in or beneath the skin (nodules or granulomas) requiring treatment through injections, oral antibiotics, or surgical removal
- Infection
- Open or leaking wounds
- A lesion at the injection area
- Allergic reaction
Necrosis (death of tissue)
It’s essential to conduct allergy tests before using dermal fillers, especially those derived from animal substances like collagen.
Dangers of Accidental Injection into Blood Vessels
The most significant risk associated with dermal fillers is the accidental injection into a blood vessel. When a filler is inadvertently injected into a blood vessel, it may lead to skin necrosis (tissue death), stroke, or blindness. Even though the chances of this happening are slim, the resulting complications if it happens can be extreme and potentially irreversible.
Elimination of Dermal Fillers
In case you desire to get rid of or lessen fillers due to adverse effects, additional procedures might be required to minimize the filler or surgery to extract it. These procedures come with inherent risks. Understand that it might be challenging or unfeasible to eliminate certain filler substances.
6 Useful Guidelines for Consumers Regarding Injectable Skin Fillers
- Collaborate with a certified healthcare professional who has expertise in dermatology or plastic surgery and is qualified to administer injectable skin fillers. The provider should utilize appropriately marked, sealed vials or pre-loaded syringes of FDA-endorsed filler.Make sure to ask for and review the patient labeling data on FDA-certified injectable skin fillers from your certified healthcare professional.
- Understand the nature of the product to be administered and the potential risks. Be aware of the exact location where each product will be injected. Consult with your certified healthcare provider if you have any doubts.
- Avoid purchasing dermal fillers that are marketed directly to consumers. They could be counterfeit, contaminated, or unapproved for use in the U.S. The FDA only approves dermal fillers for prescription use.
- Refrain from self-administering dermal fillers or using https://www.fda.gov/about-fda/page-not-found
Do not have any form of filler or liquid silicone injected for body sculpting.
Botulinum Toxin Products and Dermal Fillers
Botulinum toxin products like Botox, Dysport, Xeomin, and Jeuveau have been approved by the FDA to manage facial wrinkles. Unlike dermal fillers, these products are injectable drugs that inhibit muscle contraction, thus reducing the visibility of wrinkles. The safety of using dermal fillers in conjunction with Botox and other similar treatments has not been clinically tested.
Even though botulinum toxin products are derived from the same bacteria that causes botulism, the amounts used for cosmetic purposes are greatly reduced and purified.
The FDA has given its approval for these injectable medications, aimed at temporarily enhancing the look of one or possibly multiple types of facial wrinkles, such as frown lines, forehead lines, and crow’s feet.
Adverse effects documented in clinical studies encompass facial paralysis, drooping eyelids, and sagging brows. Additional unwelcome reactions include localized discomfort, inflammation, redness, and bruising at the site of injection. In uncommon instances, the injections have led to double vision, dry eyes, or issues with swallowing or breathing. The use of botulinum toxin products for aesthetic reasons is not suggested for those who are pregnant or nursing.
Resources:
https://www.plasticsurgery.org/news/articles/four-reasons-a-person-may-want-lip-filler
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/22782-lip-augmentation
https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/dermal-filler-dos-and-donts-wrinkles-lips-and-more
https://www.plasticsurgery.org/photo-gallery/procedure/lip-augmentation—enhancement
