We all want to look and feel our best every day, but this is never truer than it is on Valentine’s Day. According to Certified Physician Assistant Tori Burns of U.S. Dermatology Partners in Dallas and Tyler, Texas, “Many people want to do something extra special to look great for Valentine’s Day. Whether it’s talking with a dermatologist about cosmetic options for wrinkle reduction or scheduling a facial, we want to look our best for our Valentine’s date or just for ourselves. Whatever the reason, your dermatologist can help you find the right cosmetic dermatology options to get you looking stunning for Valentine’s Day. Lip fillers are a popular dermatology treatment that can typically be performed in just one short visit to the office with minimal recovery time.” If you’re interested in looking a little more kissable this Valentine’s Day, keep reading to learn more about how we use fillers to plump lips.
How do Lip Fillers work?
Ms. Burns says, “Fillers are a cosmetic dermatology option used to improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, acne scars, and sagging skin. As we age, the production of collagen and elastin slows, and our skin loses its youthful fullness and elasticity. Fillers are injected below the skin to add volume and generally improve appearance. Additionally, fillers can be used to plump up lips.” There are many different types of dermal fillers, often referred to simply as fillers. Each is formulated to work best for certain areas or designed to deliver specific results. In most cases, these procedures are performed in one short trip to the office and under mild, local anesthesia, so patients can go right back to their regular daily routine after the treatment. Dermal fillers, like neurotoxin injections and other mild cosmetic dermatology treatments, are thought of as “lunch break” services since you can easily fit them into your busy schedule. While you’ll start to see results right away and there are few side effects of dermal filler treatment, most people do experience some additional swelling for a few days after their appointment that resolves on its own. Depending on the type of filler, results last about six months, so patients usually schedule retreatment appointments twice a year to maintain their new look.
What Options are Available?
According to Ms. Burns, “There are so many different dermal fillers available now that patients may feel overwhelmed by the selection. However, most dermatologists have a favorite type that they use most often because they are comfortable working with it, and they like the results it delivers. I always tell patients that they should ask about the filler treatment option their dermatologist uses most often for lips because that means the dermatologist has more experience and knows what to expect during and after treatment. They can use this knowledge to deliver treatment that meets or exceeds a patient’s expectations. However, going into the consultation visit with your dermatologist, it doesn’t hurt to know the difference between each type of filler.”
At U.S. Dermatology Partners, our skilled dermatologists may recommend Juvederm, Restylane, Radiesse, or Belotero lip fillers.
Juvederm
Juvederm was one of the first dermal filler treatments on the market, and the line of fillers from this brand are still some of the most popular solutions available. When it comes to plumping and shaping lips, four Juvederm formulas may be used:
- Juvederm Volbella XC – smooths lines and wrinkles around the mouth or adds volume to lips.
- Juvederm Vollure XC – smooths lines and wrinkles around the nose and mouth, but isn’t typically used for plumping lips.
- Juvederm Ultra XC – adds volume to the lips.
- Juvederm Ultra Plus XC – adds volume to the lips and facial wrinkles.
Restylane
Restylane is marketed in the U.S. as a filler product derived from natural ingredients. Specifically, Restylane is a hyaluronic acid filler. Hyaluronic acid is naturally produced by the body to help the skin hold in moisture, defend our body from the sun’s damaging UVA and UVB rays, and jump-start the healing process. Unfortunately, the natural production of hyaluronic acid in the body isn’t always enough to deliver the results we want to see. That’s where topical hyaluronic acid treatments come in. These products are used cosmetically to improve the appearance of the skin, but hyaluronic acid is also an active ingredient in some medicated creams. Restylane harnesses the power of hyaluronic acid to plump up the skin and create poutier lips. Several Restylane varieties can be used to plump limps, including:
- Restylane – the original formula is still one of the most versatile dermal filler solutions available. It can be used to smooth lines and wrinkles around the mouth and plump lips.
- Restylane Silk – this formulation was created specifically for use in the lips and around the mouth to create a smooth, plump pout.
- Restylane Refyne – used to address moderately deep wrinkles around the mouth, including laugh lines and grooves on the chin below the mouth.
- Restylane Defyne – is used to treat the same areas as Refyne, but it may effective for even deeper lines and wrinkles.
Belotero
Like Restylane, Belotero Balance (usually referred to simply as Belotero) is a brand of injectable dermal fillers made from hyaluronic acid. Belotero is most often recommended for patients who have very deep wrinkles, including laugh lines and other wrinkles around the mouth. Ms. Burns says, “I’m more likely to recommend Belotero for deep wrinkles around the mouth than for plumping the lips themselves. It’s approved for this use, but other available options that have been used longer or formulated specifically for lips may be better. However, when it comes to addressing the deep lines and wrinkles above and below the mouth, Belotero is an excellent option.”
Radiesse
Radiesse is an innovative dermal filler solution that combines the instant plumping effects of a cosmetic filler with ingredients that promote the production of collagen and elastin to deliver long term results. Traditional dermal fillers simply use a synthetic or natural material to replace lost structure and plumpness in the skin, and once the body metabolizes these ingredients, patients need retreatment. After the synthetic ingredients in Radiesse are metabolized, the patient still has smoother, plumper skin thanks to the new collagen produced as a result of this dermal filler injection. Patients who choose Radiesse usually experience results that last at least twice as long as other types of dermal fillers. Unfortunately, Radiesse only has two formulas that are currently available, Radiesse and Radiesse (+), and neither of these formulas is specifically geared toward plumping lips. According to Ms. Burns, “Some dermatologists are completely against using Radiesse for lips. It’s a thicker filler, and it can be harder to manipulate. If you do want to try Radiesse as a lip filler option, finding a dermatologist who has experience working with it is a must.”
Visit U.S. Dermatology Partners and Look Your Best
If you’re interested in learning more about your options for plumper lips, smoother skin, brighter skin tone, and other cosmetic dermatology solutions for turning back the clock, get started today by scheduling an appointment with one of the knowledgeable professionals at U.S. Dermatology Partners. We make the scheduling process simple with a quick and easy appointment request form you can fill out online anytime. Once we receive your request, a team member will be in touch soon to answer questions and finalize the details of your visit.
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