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Trends come and go as fast as monthly magazine issues, but one trend that is on the rise and likely to stick around for the long haul is lip injections (aka lip fillers). This guide is meant to help you sort through the lip injection information out there and give tips to help you choose both the injectable filler product that is best suited for you and a qualified lip injection provider while considering brands, cost, and safety measures.
Stylized Lips
Injection trends in lips have changed since lip fillers first became available in North America. Years ago, the original theme seemed to run along the lines of a simple philosophy: inject the lips with product to plump them up. It appears that not many injectors considered shape and structure as important aspects. Lips became inner tubes, ready to be inflated like sausages. The common results were strangely rounded piping running around the perimeter of the mouth, void of any shape or beauty.
Next came the lip movement of bigger is better. Unfortunately for most celebrities, the fallout resulted in labels such as duck lips, demonstrating in the end that bigger was not always better.
Finally, injectors began to realize that a phenomenal product such as hyaluronic acid lip filler didn’t save the day all by itself, but an excellent injector with an eye for detail was needed to make the outcome the best it could be. The same as a paintbrush in the hands of a professional or an amateur, artistry and an eye for detail became relevant for the lip injection industry.
Lip injectors began to realize that the shape of your lips is actually an important consideration during the lip filler process. Your natural lips do dictate what can realistically be achieved as well as what will look best for you. In today’s lip filler world, a top-rated lip injector will consider the shape, structure, and balance between the top and bottom lip so that they can produce a beautifully natural, yet gorgeous result.
Which Brand is Best For Lip Injections?
Overall, the best product for lip fillers is one that is made with hyaluronic acid and is Health Canada-approved. Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring substance found in our bodies in places like our joints and around the eyes. The risk of reaction is extremely low with hyaluronic acid, which makes it a safe and temporary option.
Within the realm of hyaluronic acid fillers is a plethora of brands all promising to be the best for what you need. Brands like Allergan’s Juvéderm have done an excellent job of marketing. People have heard the name and know it is a reputable choice with a longstanding history in the cosmetic industry. However, other brands such as Teoxane’s Teosyal Kiss line or RHA (resilient hyaluronic acid) European-formulated lip filler provide an updated lip filler formulation that is cross-linked and longer-lasting. The Teoxane brands offer more specialized filler formulations to choose from, depending on the shape, structure, and softness you would prefer. Longer-lasting brands like Volbella, which promise up to 18 months of longevity (compared to 6 to 9 months from other brands) can be seriously enticing for the needle- adverse crowd. However, those types of lip fillers can come with a trade off such as a higher risk of granulomas in the lips.
Ultimately, you need to peruse the Internet and look up some of these common brands. Compare and contrast people’s posted experiences as well as the benefits of each filler. Some fillers last longer, others provide better structure, and others give a soft and flexible finish. So it’s best to look up these sorts of popular, Health Canada-approved brands and get a sense for what you prefer. Once you’ve learned a bit more, you can check in with your lip injector and ask for their recommendations. Often a provider can round out the information and point you in the right direction as to why one lip filler brand might be a better choice than another.
How to Choose a Lip Injector
Choosing a lip injector with the right qualifications can save you a lot of expense and heartache in the long run. Like any medical procedure, lip fillers also have risks associated with them. The most dangerous risks are those ones mainly associated with an inexperienced injector who can cause tissue necrosis (death to the tissue) or other disfigurement and facial damage. If you chose a certified and experienced lip injector from a reputable clinic, you increase your safety odds incredibly. Doctors know and understand the anatomy of the face because most of them have received many more years of training even than a nurse. Well-known clinics have reviews online that you can browse through as well as photos of before and afters that you can observe in-house. Furthermore, reputable clinics will have excellent injectors who abide by Health Canada’s safety regulations. For example, half syringes (half vials) of filler cannot be saved for use in the future. Unfortunately, many lip injection clinics do not observe this requirement, putting their patients at risk of infection and worse. If you are considering a clinic that offers to save your unused portion of filler, run! It’s illegal and harmful.
How Much Do Lip Injections Cost?
One rule of thumb is to never choose your lip injection provider based on cost alone. Although cost is a valid and natural consideration for everyone, the saying “You get what you pay for” can ring true with lip injections. Most experienced lip injectors will be at a slightly higher price point, but the quality and peace of mind will be worth it in the long run. The pricing can vary depending on geographic location, the type of lip filler brand, and the experience of the injector. You can expect to pay anywhere from $600 to $900 on average for one syringe of lip filler (Prices are subject to change over time). Generally, most patients are satisfied with the results from one syringe. However, after the lip injection settles, some people realize they would like to add a second syringe for additional fullness and volume. Budgeting for a second syringe may be a consideration if you think you would like more voluminous lips.
Facts or Fiction?
Let’s delve into some of the common myths and lip filler information out there to discern the truth. Is it facts or fiction? Let’s find out!
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Lip fillers are permanent:
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Lip fillers are reversible:
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Lip fillers will forever alter the state of your lips:
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Lip fillers never look natural:
False: If lip fillers don’t look natural, it’s the fault of the person filling the lips rather than the filler! An appropriate, natural, and beautiful result is absolutely achievable in the skilled hands of an experienced doctor or nurse who knows what they are doing.
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My smile will look weird if I get lip filler:
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I’m too young- Fillers are for old people:
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Lip fillers are for females:
Hopefully this lip guide has helped you sort through some of the misinformation and truth that is out there in regards to lip injections, lip filler brands, lip filler cost, and top lip injectors! Here’s to staying ahead of the curve with appropriate information and curvy lips that look hot!
