Credit: Getty Images
Fortunately, you can get larger, more voluptuous lips if they are a top beauty desire. With a few injections of the right lip filler, thin lips can be quickly and easily transformed into a plump pucker. So, how can one obtain them without getting the infamous duck lip? You wouldn’t believe how simple it is. The first step is to pick an injector that complements your style. Using the appropriate lip filler and their injection technique is crucial after that. Three professionals explain all you need to know about getting lips that look subtle below.
Fortunately, if you’ve always wanted bigger, fuller lips, you can obtain them. Thin lips can be simply and quickly turned into a plump pucker with a few injections of the appropriate lip filler. How, therefore, might one acquire them without suffering from the notorious duck lip? You’d be surprised at how easy it is. Selecting an injector that fits your style is the first step. After that, it’s critical to use the right lip filler and injection technique. Below, three experts go you all you need to know about getting lips that look subtle.
Subtle lip filler has an emotional component in addition to its physical benefits. Improved lips that match the face and look natural lead to increased self-confidence.
Choosing the Right Lip Filler
It might be difficult to select the best filler because there are so many different kinds and brands available. Every injectable filler has a different molecular weight and structure, and some—like biostimulatory fillers—are not suitable for use in the lips. Only lip injections of hyaluronic acid are safe. “It is also important for the treating physician to understand each product’s characteristics to make appropriate decisions,” adds Dr. Leipziger. “Depending on the patient’s lip structure and desired results, I customize the type of filler utilized. The most natural appearance depends more on using the right injection techniques than on the filler.
“Restylane is a great go-to because it provides some structure and typically stays where I place it, so it should not migrate,” says Dr. Belkin, who usually injects the lips with Vollure, Belotero, or Restylane Kysse, a blended form of Restylane that he manufactures in his office. Similar but slightly softer, Kysse is designed especially for lips. I use our blended Restylane for the most conservative augmentation because it is really light and unobtrusive. I use Belotero for somewhat older people because it provides pleasant moisture without projecting and does wonders for wrinkles and fine lines.
When in doubt, he advises requesting a softer product from your injector because it is typically more aesthetically forgiving than a stiffer one.
Consultation and Preparation
Selecting the right injector and making sure they can get the effects you want are crucial for subtle lip filler. You will have the opportunity to discuss with them your desired and undesirable lip appearance throughout your appointment. During a consultation, you can be open and truthful with your plastic surgeon or dermatologist about previous lip injections or procedures and what you liked and didn’t like about the outcome. “It’s also important to discuss any specific dissatisfactions, such as asymmetry,” says Dr. Belkin. “I try not to encourage my patients from selecting a lip from a menu of public figures because, ultimately, the best results come from leaning into the patient’s natural shape and enhancing what is already beautiful for them.”
Other than avoiding NSAIDs like Advil, multivitamins, and other supplements for around a week before to your lip filler appointment to reduce bruising, there isn’t much you can do to prepare your lips in the days before. It is best to arrange the treatment at a time that works for you because there will probably be swelling or bruising following the injections.
The Procedure Step-by-Step
Dr. Belkin snaps pictures before he puts a syringe to his patient’s lips. “We go over the procedure’s objectives once more. To ensure there are no unpleasant surprises at the end, my assistant will write recommendations together with the associated charges if it is someone’s first appointment. After cleaning the lips and surrounding tissue, a nurse or physician’s assistant will apply topical numbing lotion, which remains on the lips for approximately half an hour. While some physicians employ vibrating instruments to divert attention from agony, others apply ice to the lips to further numb them and reduce swelling and bruises.
The real injections follow, and they take ten to fifteen minutes. The preferred filler is carefully injected into the lips with a tiny needle; it feels like a pinch and occasionally includes some pressure or burning. After massaging the lips, Dr. Leipziger advises the injecting doctor to closely inspect the lip filler placement to make sure there are no asymmetries.Regretfully, we’ve all witnessed the effects of excessive filler in the streets and in the media,” Dr. Belkin says. He advises against using methods that overtreat the vermilion border, which is the line separating the pink lip portion from the skin, or the cutaneous upper lip, which is the skin portion of the lip, in order to avoid this. Additionally, achieving a natural, understated appearance requires precisely the proper amount of filler to be injected. According to Dr. Leipziger, a patient’s anatomy, lip shape, and preferred appearance all influence how much lip filler to use. “Not every lip is made equally. Compared to a bigger, fuller lip that might need a slight improvement, a thinner lip might require more filler. It’s crucial to have artistic taste to achieve a natural look because excessive filler will make lips look artificial and overdone.
Some doctors, like Dr. Sobel, prefer to inject a small amount at a time rather than injecting the entire amount of filler in one syringe at once because the goal of subtle lip filler is lips that look natural. This may require a few appointments to achieve the desired effect.
Recovery and Aftercare
Your lips will appear full, plump, and even larger than you expected just after lip filler, probably with some discomfort. To help with swelling reduction, you should ice them for the next few hours. According to Dr. Belkin, after receiving lip injections, the lips will continue to swell for a few days before gradually going down over the course of the next week. “I also administer oral arnica to individuals who are aware of their propensity for bruises. If necessary, bruising can be treated with a laser the next day (for free) to hasten healing.
INSTYLE TIP
Don’t exercise for the first 24 hours to reduce edema. For a week, you should also stay away from salty meals since they can make you retain more fluid and cause swelling and dental visits.
Expected Results
Although lip fillers produce benefits that last, they are not permanent. You can typically keep the improved shape and more fullness for six to twelve months. “For some people, depending on how dramatic their expression is and their biological makeup, lip filler can last a little less or a little longer,” says Dr. Sobel. The cross-linking of certain fillers is another element that contributes to their longer shelf life. “Cross-linking prevents hyaluronic acid in the filler from being rapidly broken down,” adds Dr. Belkin. Because of the way it is cross-linked, volume is the filler that lasts the longest. It makes use of Vycross technology, an Allergan-exclusive technique that is utilized in some of their Juvéderm fillers.
How to Maintain Your New Lips
You should apply little amounts of filler and re-treat your lips often to preserve the effects of modest lip filler. “This way, we are preserving and building up the lips little by little and not waiting for each treatment to wear off fully,” says Dr. Belkin. “After a few such sessions, I find that the results can last longer and longer, partially due to collagen stimulation, which hyaluronic acid fillers have been shown to do.”
Risks to Know About
There are always some hazards to be mindful of, just like with any elective aesthetic procedure. Vascular occlusions, according to Dr. Belkin, can happen when filler is inadvertently inserted into an artery, cutting off the blood flow to the lip or surrounding skin. “I advise getting lip filler from a board-certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon since, although it’s extremely rare, it does happen. To prevent this issue, your injector should be knowledgeable about the structure of the face and skilled enough to spot it if it occurs. Asymmetry, injection site infection, nodules, and filler migration are further possible outcomes. Injecting the lips incorrectly, according to Dr. Sobel, can make them look overly full, artificial, uneven, bumpy, or gritty. “It is always best to use small increments at a time to avoid these situations.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you obtain lip filler that is subtle?
Yes, but it’s also not impossible. According to Dr. Belkin, the outcome depends on the dosage, method, and particular product injected into the lips. “A small amount of soft filler placed in areas where the lips should naturally have volume can yield extremely subtle and beautiful results.”
Which lip filler looks the most natural?
For a lip that looks natural, Dr. Sobel prefers to utilize the latest Redensity filler, Restylane Kysse, Refyne, or Belotero. “Being thin, these products spread readily along the lip outline without giving the lips a harsh, thick, or unnatural appearance. Never forget that your lower lip should be twice as large as your upper lip, not the other way around.
What is the duration of subtle lip filler?
The usual lifespan of subtle lip filler is six months or more. According to Dr. Sobel, “some companies may say that their filler lasts a year,” “You might want to top up your filler every four to six months to preserve the subtle, natural-looking results and keep your appearance consistent. This will maintain the lips’ steady, well-balanced volume.
