LIP FILLER TREATMENTS
Lip filler treatments
Lip shape, volume and the smaller details of the peri-oral area are a key feature of a woman's femininity and sensuality.
Men can also benefit from subtle lip fillers, most usually with the aim of subtly enhancing the shape but not the size.
Depending on your age, sex, ethnicity and features, the lip filler technique, product choice and filler volume needed will vary.
In your consultation Dr Jake will create a bespoke filler treatment that suits your overall features including your profile and the surrounding facial features.
What are lip filler treatments?
Lip fillers are one of the most common and popular uses of fillers. Done by a skilled injector, they can transform your facial features and your overall aesthetic.
It's important to understand that a beautiful lip filler does not usually mean going 'big'. The result from a skilled injector needs to compliment the rest of your facial features and this is especially true when viewing your face from a profile (side on) view. Lip filler treatments are sometimes combined with other filler areas including the chin or the anterior jawline fillers to help balance your overall look. We've all seen lips with too much filler where it just doesn't look right and Dr Jake will refuse to over-fill or treat lips if the lips don't compliment you from all angles.
By law in Australia, we aren't allowed to advertise the brand names of any medicines, including the brand of any injectable products. So you'll usually see these types of treatments generically referred to as 'fillers'.
There is an incredibly diverse range of fillers but Dr Jake only uses the Allergan brand of structural fillers. He is national & international speaker and teaches injectors how to best use these products.
Key features of lip filler treatments
Consultations
New patient filler consultations + treatments = 60 mins
Existing patient consultations + treatments = 45 mins
One size doesn't fit all
Depending on your ethnicity, age, sex & natural shape, lips vary hugely. Dr Jake will tailor your treatment to compliment your overall face shape and proportions. Lip fillers vary from hydration only through to bolder looks and these will be discussed with you in your consultation.
Outstanding satisfaction
Filler treatments sit alongside anti-wrinkle treatments as being the most popular non-surgical technique. With a skilled injector and with results being immediate, patients love the results of these treatments.
Excellent longevity
Lip fillers tend to last far longer than patients often realise. Dr Jake will assess your fillers and overall look each time you see him but won't repeat treatments if they aren't necessary - this stops the over-done and puffy look, as well as preventing the risk of 'filler migration'.
What is the downtime & aftercare for lip fillers?
Immediately after the treatment, your lips will be very swollen.
Due to the local anaesthetic used, you'll also be numb for 1-2 hours. It's important not to eat or drink whilst the lips are numb to avoid the possibility of biting your lips or tongue.
On average the lips will be swollen for 3-7 days and this can make some new patients feel self-conscious until they heal. Lip fillers should only be done when you have a window in your work and social calendar to avoid this being an issue.
When the lips are swollen, they can feel lumpy and this again is a common and normal outcome for the first few weeks.
Bruising of the lips can occur and very occasionally this is more obvious.
-
How do anti-wrinkle treatments work?Anti-wrinkle treatments are performed using tiny injections. They work by temporarily and reversibly blocking nerve signals to specific areas of the facial muscles, allowing the muscles to relax. As a result, the skin overlying the muscles also relaxes, smoothing out the visible lines. Over a period of on average 4 months, the treatment wears off and wrinkles slowly return.
-
How should I prepare for my anti-wrinkle treatment?As for all injectable treatments, please come with no make up, foundation or similar on your skin. This will reduce the risk of an infection. To reduce the risk of bruising: - avoid alcohol for 24 hours prior - stop any fish oil supplements at least 5 days prior - stop any garlic, ginger, gingko biloba or ginseng in high doses - avoid any anti-inflammatory medicines (neurofen, ibuprofen, naproxen, etc) for 5 days before your treatment if possible. Prescription medicines that can make bruising much more common include warfarin or other anti-coagulants. If these are prescribed by your GP, it's not recommended to stop them. You can still have injectables but you should expect bruising to be much more common and obvious.
-
What can't I do after an anti-wrinkle treatment?You can go back to your normal daily activities after a treatment except for two simple rules: 1) Don't massage, rub or wash the areas injected until the next day after your treatment. This also includes not doing things like having a massage, facial or similar straight after an anti-wrinkle treatment. (for at least 12 hours afterwards) 2) Avoid sports, exercise or vigorous activity for 12 hours afterwards. These rules help prevent the anti-wrinkle product spreading and affecting other muscles of the face that we don't want to treat. Failure to follow these increases the chance of complications, most importantly eyelid or eyebrow drooping. These are both avoidable and reversible side effects but can take several weeks or even months to settle. Avoiding alcohol after any injectable treatment until the following day also reduces your risk of worsened bruising.
-
What are the potential side effects?The most common side effects include: - Mild discomfort during the procedure - very temporary swellings and redness (that disappear within minutes) - bruising (always a risk when a needle is used) Rarer side effects include: - In less than 1% of cases, patients can very rarely experience eyebrow or eyelid heaviness (called a 'ptosis'). This is very rare, temporary and often resolves in three or four weeks on it's own. This might be caused by a failure to follow the after care rules described above. In this scenario, some special eyedrops might be prescribed to you to help lift the heavy eyelid but you'll need to be reviewed in person first.
-
Do anti-wrinkle treatments hurt?The injections only take minutes to perform and no special measures are needed. Dr Jake uses the smallest needles available and most patients are pleasantly surprised at how easy the process is.
-
Are there any people who shouldn't have anti-wrinkle treatments?There are just a few but important conditions that are contraindications to anti-wrinkle treatments: - Pregnancy or breastfeeding. (Patients trying for a baby, undergoing IVF or who are unsure if they are pregnant will also be refused treatments) - Rare neurological diseases such as Myasthenia Gravis Those taking the following medicines should also not have these treatments: - Aminoglycoside antibiotics (Gentamycin, Neomycin, Streptomycin, etc) - Penicillamine (used to treat Rheumatoid Arthritis) - A known allergy to human albumin A detailed medical history will be taken prior to your treatment but it is your responsibility to declare any medical problems to us in good time.
-
How often should I have treatments?If the recommended dose is done on the day of your treatment, the results will last 2-4 months on average. Most people therefore come every 3-4 months to help maintain a consistent appearance.