If you feel shy and embarrassed about your thin lips, you might be considering lip augmentation. Lip augmentation can be performed both surgically and non-surgically – using injections.
Lip fillers are used as a minimally invasive procedure that eliminates the need to go under the knife. This is one of the most popular procedures to augment lip size and shape. Besides, they need a lesser recovery period than other surgical procedures. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons’ 2016 study demonstrated that the number of people going for lip fillers is growing.
With age, your skin becomes lax and loose. This occurs due to the natural loss of collagen and fat. The skin of your face becomes less youthful and thin, including your lips. So, are these dermal fillers Singapore worth the money and health risk?
Here we’d shed some light on the pros and cons of the procedure and present the information to help you decide if you should go for the procedure and take the chance! Lip fillers aim to replace the fat and collagen lost due to the aging process.
Thin Lips And The Association With Youth Or Aging
Most of us know that our undereye area and cheeks lose volume due to the aging process and that dermal fillers can be used to restore their volume. But did you know that aging also affects your lips, leading them to shrink in size too?
Well, yes. With age, your lips become thinner. Experts have stated that fat pads are found underneath the skin, including under your lips. Some people have plumper lips, while others have less plump due to the number of fat pads underneath their skin as determined by genetics. But regardless, these fat pads deplete with age and lead to loss is lip volume and stoutness. Besides, if you have thin lips genetically at a young age, then you are more prone to much more evident lip thinning than others with plumper lips in their youth.
However, the good news is that this effect of the aging process can be halted and reversed with lip fillers. Several filler types can be used to treat this issue, which is going to be the topic of discussion ahead.
Golden Ratio Of The Ideal Lip
As emphasized by Leonardo Da Vinci, the golden ratio of 1:1.618 is the epitome of beauty that can be used to scale anything on earth. Things that are closer to ratio are esthetically more pleasing to the eye. Be it butterflies, flowers, and human body and face, everything that matches the golden ratio is considered beautiful. So goes with the lips.
The divide proportion for the lips is as follows:
- The bottom lip should be 1.618 times bigger than the top lip.
- The lips are 1.618 broader than the nose width at the top lip.
- The projection of the top lip should be 1.618 greater than the bottom lip.
Following this ratio, a skilled surgeon can administer the dermal filler injection in such a way, crafting beautiful-looking plump lips for you.
What Are Dermal Fillers?
Dermal fillers are the components used as injections administered into your skin layers. They are utilized to add volume to the areas that are sunken due to several environmental and physiological factors, including aging. There are several types of lip fillers you can choose from.
Type Of Dermal Fillers For Lips
Most of the fillers used today are made of hyaluronic acid, commonly referred to as “hyaluronic acid fillers.” Hyaluronic acid can be found naturally in your body. It is the most popular filler used to volumize your lips. Fillers comes in various textures, with the softer ones used for lip augmentation. Some of the common brands include:
- Restylane
- Juvederm
- Volbella
All the fillers as mentioned above may be used in a similar way and present akin results. Also, some of them, such as Juvederm, comprise local anesthetic, lidocaine. This helps numb the treatment area on your lips, minimizing the pain.
How Long Do The Fillers Last?
The durability of lip fillers depends on several factors. These may include your metabolic rate, frequency of using things such as steam rooms and sunbeds, and your regularity of going to the gym.
The longevity of the common dermal fillers used for lip augmentation is summarized in the table below.
What Is Involved In The Procedure? What To Expect?
First Consultation
In your first consultation session, your doctor will take your complete history and examination. You can discuss your desires and expectations out of the procedure. Your practitioner may also take preliminary pictures of your lips.
If you have done some research, you can show your surgeon some pictures of the results you aspire, for instance, through Pinterest or Instagram pictures to communicate precisely what you need.
During The Procedure
Your lips will be prepared, and a topical anesthetic applied 10 – 20 minutes before the procedure. Your doctor will get the syringes ready, according to the estimated dose of injectable needed, as determined by your doctor (1ml dose is equivalent to 2 syringes).
The procedure takes about 10 minutes to complete and may cause some discomfort. However, you won’t be having a lot of pain. You may feel a pricking sensation or pinch when the needle is inserted.
Your practitioner will frequently massage your lips to spread the filler and prevent any lumps, which also eases some discomfort. Fortunately, the discomfort goes away after the procedure, and by the end, your lips will feel almost completely numb.
The price of lip fillers varies depending on the type of filler used, the amount required, your doctor’s expertise, and your clinic’s location and reputation. However, it can cost you from $500 to $1600.
The Results
Some swelling may appear about one-hour post-treatment, and bruising may become visible the next day. This is a common risk associated with any form of injections.
Your doctor may recommend using ice packs and prescribe antihistamines, to curb the swelling that will possibly minimize by the second day. The bruising will also fade away with time until when it can be camouflaged with the help of a concealer and lipstick.
All in all, it takes around 2 weeks for the results to settle and if you feel that the volume is insufficient, you have the option to request for more filler to be injected in your follow up appointment. Despite the discomfort and strain, it is worth the ordeal as most patients simply adore the results after the first time. You can expect to see your ever-disappearing top lip bulge out of hiding. Also, you can anticipate your cupid’s bow and vermillion borders – the junction of the lips and the skin to be well-defined and your lips to become fuller and plump.
Risk Associated With Lip Fillers
There are some side effects of hyaluronic acid fillers, but they are temporary and disappear after a few days. These can include:
- Redness at the injection site
- Tenderness and swelling
- Bleeding from the point of injection
- Bruising
Severe side effects can include the following.
- Lumpy and irregular lips
- Serious and extended bruising or swelling that lasts 7 to 10 days
- Asymmetrical lips
- Infection
- Tissue loss due to injection into a blood vessel
- Stiffening of the lip
- Scarring
- Itching around the lips
- Allergic reaction
Who To Look For?
While lip fillers may give you tremendous results in terms of lip esthetics and texture, this largely depends on the provider you choose. What is essential to great results is looking for a qualified and certified practitioner and has the expertise in his field.
Lip augmentation is not a zero-risk procedure. Thus, remember to choose the right hands. Before deciding, do your research about your practitioner and cosmetic clinic. Go for a board-certified practitioner who has experience bearing successful results in a number of patients.
Is Lip Filler Treatment Worth The Ordeal?
As discussed in this article, the remarkable results and the minimal side effects that lip fillers produce are worth it! Plumping of thin lips can make one look more youthful. However, be more concerned about choosing the right clinic and an experienced, board-certified practitioner for dermal filler treatment done in Singapore than worrying about the price.
Book your first consultation and discuss your case and solve all your queries from the qualified doctor.
About Dream Aesthetics and Plastic Surgery
Bespoke surgical for cosmetic or medical reasons is what Dream covers to bring out the beauty in every individual. Going beyond the aesthetics and working on physical anomalies are what we value the most in leading our patients to cherish self-improvement and confident lifestyles.
Derived from Associate Professor Vincent Yeow’s long-standing experience performing plastic surgery in Singapore, our treatment plans deliver physical remodelling in our patients’ favour. One of the notable remodellings is droopy eyelid correction. The ptosis surgery used for treatment eventually fixes drooping eyelids, improves vision and enhances appearance.
Most importantly, as a trustworthy plastic surgery and aesthetic clinic, we treasure positive and natural outcomes for each individual. We will ensure to deliver the beauty refinement of your dream without compromising your safety and privacy.
