The Blog Harper’s Bazaar: What to Know Before Getting Lip Filler

Global publication Harper’s Bazaar is a trusted directory for the best in class, whether it’s fashion, lifestyle or beauty.

For its article on lip filler treatments, HarpersBazaar.com.au consulted Contour Clinics Medical Director Dr. Josh Wall for his expert intel on everything there is to know about lip filler.

Read on for a deep dive into filler product types, what can be achieved by lip fillers, the treatment experience, recommended aftercare and more.

The following is an excerpt from the article by Harper’s Bazaar:

What are lip fillers made of?

You likely understand — aesthetically, at least — what lip filler does. What you might not know is what it is.

While there are different types and brands (more on that later), the key ingredient in lip fillers is Hyaluronic acid. “It’s a substance that normally occurs in the body,” says Dr. Wall. “We have around 6 grams of the stuff. It’s in the fluid in our eyes, our joints, our skin.”

“To create fillers, hyaluronic acid is synthesised in the lab to become an injectable product that is used to make lips plumper and improve symmetry and shape.”

Are there different types of lip filler?

While the different brands of lip filler have all proven to be similar, there are subsets of filler that have varying characteristics. These include the particular filler’s consistency, thickness, ability to withstand sheer forces, and ability to attract water to itself.

“It’s this complicated mixture of physical properties that sets types of lip filler apart so that we can select the appropriate one for the result we’re aiming to achieve,” says Dr. Wall. “We consider how each type of lip filler responds in the target tissue and our experience with how they react in that part of the body, and we pick the most suitable filler with this and your goals in mind.”

How painful is lip filler — and can you do anything to reduce the pain?

As Dr. Wall notes, the lip is one of the more tender areas of the face to inject. However, the skin on and around the lips is also very fine. This makes it easier for numbing cream to penetrate, which can make the procedure more comfortable.

Lip filler aftercare

From both a health and aesthetic perspective, it is important to practice good aftercare after getting lip fillers.

Icing the area can help with swelling. Dr. Wall recommends applying ice or an ice pack for 10 minutes at a time, every two hours. “Just make sure you don’t apply the ice or icepack directly to your skin. Put a clean flannel or cloth in between.”

In terms of don’ts, Dr. Wall advises that you shouldn’t drink alcohol as it is inflammatory and leads to swelling, and avoid exercising for the rest of the day. He notes, “Once you have swelling, it’s very hard to get rid of, so avoid anything that causes inflammation in the body to begin with.”

Further, avoid anything that risks exposing yourself to infection including spas, saunas, gyms or contact sports — and don’t touch (or let anyone else touch) your mouth!

“Also remember that the exterior of your mouth will be numb, so don’t have any hot drinks until you can feel your lips, or you’ll risk burning the skin,” Dr. Wall adds.

How long do lip fillers last?

Lip fillers generally last for six to eighteen months.

“To make your filler go further, the best thing you can do is keep yourself in general good health — maintain your wellness and fitness,” advises Dr. Wall. “One thing that will break dermal filler down is inflammation in the body, which can be caused by things like alcohol, smoking and certain foods.”

Are lip fillers dangerous?

As with any cosmetic procedure, lip fillers come with a risk. However, they are largely relatively safe when performed by an experienced cosmetic doctor or nurse.

Common risks include temporary bruising, redness, tenderness and swelling in the days immediately following the treatment.

More serious risks include severe swelling or bruising, infection, a lump appearance, infection and scarring or stiffening of the upper lip. There is also a risk of injecting into a blood vessel, which can damage tissue. If you notice any abnormal changes, or your lips are not healing in the timeframe advised by your provider, seek medical advice immediately.

It is important to undertake thorough research before getting lip filler and ensure that your injector is reputable.

Can you prevent lip filler from migrating?

One of the aesthetic risks of having lip fillers is that the filler can migrate over time. This means the filler moves from the lip to another part of the face, most commonly to the area just above the lip.

Dr. Wall advises that the best way to prevent this from happening is to be sensible about how much filler is placed: “Go slowly — have your lip filler treatments in small amounts, building up gradually. Less than 1ml at a time is ideal.”

“I also recommend having your filler reversed every 3 years and starting again — this is good practice for anyone who regularly has lip filler.”

“Looking at the anatomy of the lip, it’s mostly the lip bed and fleshy tissues that accommodate the filler; however, some goes into muscle too. Repeated muscle movement can then move the filler around — it’s something that happens gradually and over a long period of time — and filler does tend to move around over time — but this is why dissolving filler and starting again every few years is advisable. This is the current consensus among experts.”

If you think that your filler is migrating, Dr. Wall says to wait a month and let it settle. Sometimes, the filler takes time to integrate with the surrounding tissue and can appear more prominent.

However, if it’s been a few since the treatment and you’re still seeing a migration to the skin outside of the lip border, return to your clinic for an assessment. In some cases, the filler may just need more time to settle. In others, the cosmetic professional may advise that you have the filler dissolved, which is a simple in-clinic procedure.

READ THE FULL ARTICLE by HARPER’S BAZAAR: ‘What to Know Before Getting Lip Filler’