Introduction
The quest for lip perfection, with irresistibly plump lips and a more defined Cupid’s bow, has set the market for lip fillers soaring. Yet, it’s important to understand that meddling with Mother Nature’s blueprint can carry potential risks. Unfortunately, when done without sympathy for the existing foundations, it can lead to outcomes that are more sinister than sexy. Things like filler migration, poor placement, and using the wrong product type or amounts of filler can all lead to the much dreaded trout pout and an overall unnatural look. But don’t despair just yet! When done responsibly, this treatment can work wonders, and that’s where Dermis Skin Aesthetics come in. I assure you: we’re as devoted to your lips as you are!
Picture is the property of Dermis Skin Aesthetics
Filler Migration
First, let us embark on the much-feared journey of the wandering filler. Filler migration, according to Save Face – a reliable online source of accredited cosmetic professionals – happens when the fillers in your lips, journey to other regions of your face (1). Picture this: you wake up to find your sexy new pout has wandered, transforming into an unexpected chipmunk-esque aesthetic.
Migration can occur for various reasons; from excessive facial movement to the usage of inappropriate, low-viscosity fillers but most commonly, it is due to incorrect placement of product by an inexperienced injector. So ensure you discuss with your aesthetician what technique they plan to use and what they intend to do to ensure your filler stays where it should.
Choosing the Wrong Type or Amount of Filler
The British College of Aesthetic Medicine (BCAM) tells us that injecting the wrong type or amount of filler can lead to complications (2). It can be likened to housing a lion in a one-bedroom apartment- it’s terrible planning and the outcome is disastrous for everyone involved. Correct filler for lips should be soft enough to allow movement but firm enough to be able to retain shape. Fillers I commonly use in the lips are Aliaxin Lips Volume, Alianxin Fine Lines, Belotero Intense or Belotero Balance (also available as Shape and Contour).
Technique is EVERYTHING
Much like fingerprints, no two lips are the same, so relying on a one-size-fits-all lip filler technique is a flawed approach that can lead to poor outcomes. Injecting the filler too superficially, or deep, or in the wrong lips’ plane, as BCAM affirms, can create unnatural, disproportionate results (2) – think Duck lips. Lip filler placement is an artform and just as Picasso wouldn’t use a paint roller to create his masterpieces, a delicate finesse over a heavy hand wins every time in creating beautiful, well balanced lips. Depending on what you hope to achieve from your lip filler, different techniques will be necessary.
Picture is the property of Dermis Skin Aesthetics demonstrating subtle placement to rejuvenate an aging lip line
Bruising, lumpy results and blocked blood vessels
Now, any time you stick a needle into skin, you risk bruising – what is that old quote? ‘if you cut me, do I not bleed’. The lips are one of the most vascular areas on the face so this risk increases exponentially. Certain techniques will increase the risk of bleeding and therefore bruising but also there is a definite difference between using a blunt cannula and using a sharp needle. Ladies; I also find that you are more likely to bruise more around the time of your period.
Lumpy lips can be due to a multitude of reasons but most commonly this is due to over-filling and too big boluses. This can lead to an inflammatory reaction where the body recognises these boluses as foreign bodies and can encapsulate them. Also, if they are ‘played’ with too much (come on, own up, who doesn’t want to pose with their beautiful new lips?), the filler can be moved into different compartments of the lip which in time will harden.
The most frightening consequence of lips gone wrong is injecting filler into a blood vessel; this can cause reduced or a complete halt of blood flow to tissues down stream which will ultimately result in tissue death (necrosis). This risk can be reduced significantly by using small boluses, knowing your anatomy, being confident in your techniques and using a blunt cannula. Signs of vascular occlusion include increasing pain, unusual rashes or bruising, especially if it is not around where you were injected initially – if you notice any of these then your practitioner should be able to see you in a timely manner to treat the problem.
Picture belonging to Dermis Skin Aesthetics demonstrating uneven, migrated filler.
Taken from Treatment of Hyaluronic Acid Filler-Induced Impending Necrosis With Hyaluronidase: Consensus Recommendations. J Cohen, B Biesman et al.
Above are celebrities who have had unsympathetic lip filler injections resulting in hard, unnatural-looking lips.
How Dermis Skin Aesthetics Can Help Minimise Risk
At Dermis Skin Aesthetics, we treat each visitor as an individual, with lips as unique as their DNA. Dermis Skin Aesthetics is not just a clinic; I am a doctor first and foremost and I aim to adopt gold standards in addressing your lip’s perfect aesthetic.
Each appointment begins with a thorough face and lip analysis to adequately plan the injection strategies with you depending on your lips goals. Dermis Skin Aesthetics follow a less-is-more approach, ensuring the filler doesn’t exceed the optimal capacity and the overall results are not ‘overdone’. We use MHRA-approved fillers that have high viscosity, reducing the risk of migration (3).
Picture showing blunt ended needle often used for lip injections
Furthermore, I am a medically trained injector and can draw on an expansive knowledge of human anatomy, ensuring that the lip fillers are correctly (and artistically) placed. This prevents uneven, lumpy results and the dreaded trout pout, thus ensuring lip fillers enhance your natural beauty rather than distort it.
Humour aside, remember the seriousness of correct management of aesthetics treatments. Clinics operated by medically trained professionals, such as Dermis Skin Aesthetics, tend to have fewer complications (1) and are trained and experienced in managing them should they occur. Here at Dermis Skin Aesthetics, we are committed to providing safe, effective lip fillers and offer a follow-up program to ensure you are satisfied.
Pictures are property of Dermis Skin Aesthetics showing how different techniques used for different clients result in a signature, natural Dermis Skin Aesthetic lip.
Conclusion
Our world is imperfect, but there’s beauty in those imperfections. Lip fillers are designed to enhance and embrace these imperfections but they are not a silver bullet and they do carry risks. Yet, with the right aesthetician, proper planning, technique, and a clear understanding of anatomy, your journey to natural, luscious lips can be made safer. Dermis Skin Aesthetics serves as your road companion, ensuring minimum risk and maximum satisfaction.
So, get onboard, and let’s set the course to lip magnificence while embracing the mantra ‘health is the real wealth.’
Keywords: lip filler, lip filler complications, filler necrosis, filler migration
References:
(1) Save Face. [Online]. Available at: https://www.saveface.co.uk/
(2) British College of Aesthetic Medicine (BCAM). [Online]. Available at: http://www.bcam.ac.uk/
(3) Dermis Skin Aesthetics. [Online]. Available at: http://www.dermis-skin.co.uk/
