Lip Augmentation - Can Your Lips Handle It?

Over the past 6 years, I have really seen the lip augmentation trends change and we constantly have to adjust to what patients are looking for.

The main request from clients used to be all about size.

Do you remember when Kylie Jenner underwent her transformation?

Yes, that is what everybody asked for; big, full, “pillowy” lips.

Lately, however, we are seeing an increase in demand for more definition (such as the Cupid’s bow) and shape (more height and surface area versus just plain volume leading to forward projection of the lips).

Even though this is a fairly new trend, I have always tried to do my lip augmentations by slowly building my clients’ lips over time, while at the same time keeping their surrounding facial features in mind for a more holistic approach to overall definition.

LIP AUGMENTATION TECHNIQUES AND TRENDS

There are so many different lip filler techniques and trends right now that it often becomes overwhelming for our clients to decide what they want, but my personal approach will always stay the same – ensuring that the lip augmentation result is in harmony with the rest of the face.

We are currently using a unique technique where we inject a series of injections (20 – 60) all around the lips to create more definition and shape, while also giving our patients more height versus the older techniques which often only resulted in forward projection of the lips (quack quack).

Seeing that we have more control over the outcome with this technique, our patients are seeing more natural-looking results.

This style of lip augmentation might however result in a little more downtime due to the number of injections we do, but once the lips have healed it has a much more beautiful shape than with old techniques used in the past.

We unfortunately also see patients who have not yet been educated on how to prepare their lips before an augmentation, resulting in even more downtime and more appointments needed to get their desired shape.

ARE YOUR LIP AUGMENTATION GOALS REALISTIC?

To this day, I see patients who provide me with pictures of what they want when, unfortunately, their lips will anatomically not allow it.

To ensure my clients are happy with their results, I am very upfront with them during my consultations and focus on creating realistic expectations.

For example, if a client has very tiny or thin lips, but has a lot of lip wrinkles, I can get a little more creative with the size and the shape seeing that these types of lips can expand more and in turn handle more filler.

When clients come in with smaller lips that are very tight, it will be a more challenging lip augmentation and will often require multiple sessions over the course of a year.

However, patients who have lips that already have the ability to expand will need fewer sessions to achieve the results they want.

WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP ACHIEVE YOUR DESIRED LIP AUGMENTATION RESULTS?

Another challenge we face is patients arriving for their lip augmentation with uncared for, dehydrated lips.

Not only does this have a direct impact on the results we can achieve, but it also affects the way their filler appears once healed.

JUVÉDERM (our filler of choice) is made from hyaluronic acid (HA). HA is also found as a natural substance in the skin that delivers nutrients, helps the skin retain moisture and softness, and adds volume.

The HA within our bodies holds a thousand times its weight in water to not only retain all that moisture in our skin and joints but also prevent that moisture from evaporating into the air.

When your lips are dehydrated, these HA molecules are compressed, leaving your filler looking less full.

Hydrating the lips with lip filler aftercare products that contain HA before and after your treatment will create an even more full and plump appearance by drawing more water into the lips!

LIP AUGMENTATION PRE- AND POST CARE

With that being said, I personally never felt that there were enough lip augmentation support products for clients wanting the most out of their lip filler results, so I was very excited to hear about the introduction of the ARMEE Lip Augmentation Care Kit into our clinic, and we are seeing such beautiful results with clients who use it.

Now my patients have more control over it, and we are seeing them achieve much more naturally beautiful results by properly caring for their lips pre- and post-augment.

With this in mind, you can imagine how excited I get when I can work with well-cared for and hydrated lips that also have the ability to expand.

I too often do revisions on lips that did not have this ability with another injector and the filler ended up migrating to the path of least resistance, leaving unsightly results.

So, when I see lips that can handle the amount of filler we want to inject, I know I can get creative and achieve stunning results.

A lot of patients don’t realize that they can actually have a beautifully shaped lip instead of just increasing them in size.

There is so much we can do with lips… we can make lips more narrow, more lifted, wider (if the patient needs width), create the sought-after key-hole, and refine the Cupid’s bow (I am sure you have too seen it all).

The possibilities are endless, but only if your lips can handle it.

by Nurse Marissa