Women have been painting their lips for thousands of years – to be more beautiful and to make social statements. These days, there are more lip cosmetics than ever. Unfortunately, not all of us are blessed with full lips, and even those who are may suffer from loss of lip volume due to the natural aging process. Under the care of Dr. Steven Dayan in Chicago, IL, you can use lip fillers in Chicago to enhance your beauty.
What Are Lip Fillers?
Lip fillers are essentially dermal fillers that are being used on the lips to enhance the size and shape of the mouth without any invasive surgery. Lip fillers are generally made with thinner, silkier formulas that mimic the natural texture of the lips and allow for more fluid, natural-looking movements than traditional dermal fillers. Some common lip fillers include:
- Juvederm Volbella
- Restylane Kysse
- Restylane Silk
- Radiesse
- And others
How Should You Use Lip Fillers in Chicago?
Lip fillers can be used to augment every part of the lips. Based on your aesthetic goals, you can use lip fillers to emphasize your vermillion border, create more fullness in the center of your mouth, sharpen the shape of your Cupid’s bow, or elevate your natural lip volume in general. Fillers for the lips are customized to your exact aesthetic goals and are designed to produce natural-looking results.
Of course, using lip fillers for augmentation or enhancement isn’t the only use of this treatment. Many patients use lip fillers as a restorative treatment to return lip volume that is lost from the aging process. Sometimes, this also means that a filler can be used to correct vertical lip lines and lipstick lines, as well as smile lines around the mouth.
How Does This Treatment Work?
Like dermal fillers, lip filler treatments are performed using a thin needle to inject special formulas into targeted zones of the lips. Usually, only a couple of injections are made into the lips to augment the appearance of the lips. Most lip fillers are made with a base of hyaluronic acid, but these formulas vary depending on the exact filler being used.
Is Hyaluronic Acid Safe?
Yes. The reason that hyaluronic acid is used for filler injections is because of how compatible this molecule is, even in synthetic form. Natural hyaluronic acid is already present in the sub-dermal layers of the skin and is used to retain moisture in the skin. The synthetic hyaluronic acid used in dermal fillers helps the skin absorb more moisture and also aids in the production of collagen to naturally restore volume in the skin.
How Much Filler Do You Need?
For the lips, usually one syringe or only half a syringe is necessary to make the desired aesthetic enhancements. The reason your treatment will not need a lot of filler is that a little goes a long way and because the goal of this treatment is to produce results that look natural. Additionally, many patients elect to combine lip filler treatments with their other dermal filler needs, which is why these fillers are sometimes also used to correct fine lines and wrinkles around the mouth.
What Should You Expect From Your Treatment?
One of the most important aspects of your treatment is to have clear communication about your aesthetic goals. During your consultation, we will go over your goals in detail to have a clear understanding of your lip enhancement results. Some patients like to bring in reference photos, either of other people or of themselves when they were younger, to better communicate their goals.
Before your treatment, you should stop taking blood-thinning medication to prepare for your appointment. After your treatment, you should not touch, rub, or massage your lips, and you should also avoid opening your mouth wide during the first one to three days after your appointment. We will provide you with specific preparation and aftercare instructions after your consultation.
How Long Does This Treatment Last?
Lip filler treatments typically last for less time than traditional dermal fillers. On average, you can expect lip fillers to last for six to nine months based on the brand of filler that is being used. Lip filler results typically break down more quickly because of the formula dilution and also because of how mobile the mouth area is. Essentially, this treatment will last for as long as the body continues to produce collagen in the lips.
How Frequently Should You Have This Treatment?
You can have this filler treatment one to two times a year, depending on your aesthetic goals and how long the results of your treatment work. Many patients prefer to have rolling results, which means they get top-up treatments right as the results of the original treatment begin to fade. You will be able to notice when it’s time for another treatment based on the visible volume of your lips.
Who Is This Treatment Right For?
Lip fillers in Chicago are appropriate for the vast majority of people who want to restore the volume of their lips, as well as those who want to enhance the natural shape or fullness of the lips. Any adult over the age of 21 is usually qualified for this treatment, provided they are not currently pregnant or allergic to any of the active ingredients in the filler.
Love the Look of Your Lips With Lip Fillers in Chicago
Human evolution psychology theories have something interesting to say about the lips. According to these theories, our oldest ancestors judged compatibility and attractiveness based on the shape, fullness, and color of the lips, and even biology suggests that the lips darken in tone based on hormones. We can see how this has translated into modern times as women paint their lips in shades of pink and red to attract prospective partners.
Clearly, the way our lips look matters in terms of appealing to ourselves and to others. Lip fillers in Chicago can enhance the shape of your lips so you can feel more attractive and look younger with natural-looking and long-lasting results.
