Have you got small lips and have wondered whether or not you can get the same results from lip fillers as some of your friends or favorite celebrities?
Have you been worried that you may not have the lip structure or possibly think it maybe more dangerous of painful for you to get lip fillers?
Well do not worry – you can get amazing results and quite often the improvements to your lips will be better!
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Over the last year I have had increasing numbers of patients with very thin, small asymmetrical lips who have approached me for treatment. All these patients asked me the same questions and all of them had a similar image in their minds of their desired outcome.
This blog is to answer questions that may be of a worry to you and hopefully offer some insight into your virgin lip enhancement.
Lips are the second most noted feature on your face, second to your eyes. They play a very important role in facial symmetry and the perception of facial beauty. It is argued that it is one of the most emotionally expressive features of your face.
The definition of “the perfet lips” vary between ethnic, cultural, age and current fashion trends. Over the years an increase in the options of varying products has prompted more awareness around lip fillers and the risks and benefits of the procedure.
Candidates for lip enhancement include patients whose lips have flattened or lost volume, show vermilion, become asymmetric, and/or have lost definition as a result of age, photodamage, smoking, or a combination thereof; patients with congenitally thin and/or asymmetrical lips; and patients who desire enhanced lip shape or fullness.
The smaller lips are by far the most difficult to inject and mould, however this doesn’t mean the results are undesired (quite often they get the best noticeable results). There is a misconception with lip fillers that one sitting will ensure a Kylie Jenner pout post procedure, unfortunately this isn’t the case. In my practice, I have always supported and encouraged the gradual approach. Due to the nature of the treatment and the anatomy of the smaller lip, there are more risks involved with the fuller look in one sitting. Everyone’s facial anatomy differs, unfortunately for those with the smaller lip, the vascular presence is more superficial, hence closer to the surface, than those who have a fuller natural lip. This means the procedure is more likely to cause bruising. However again this is dependent on the technique used by your injector. The lips are more taught than those with a fuller lip. This means that when injecting into an area with smaller surface area, the skin overlying the lips are stretched more as they have less “give”. Again, this is why I promote the gradual build up. Gradual build up allows the skin to stretch with minimal swelling and minimal discomfort and decreased risk of perforation of the overlying skin.
Here are a few questions I get from patients with smaller lips.
HOW MUCH FILLER DO I NEED?
This varies from patient to patient, each patient’s facial anatomy is different, and it is only when I assess you in person that I can verify how much will be required. With this being said, I will never promote more than what is required as when the risks outweigh the benefits I have to decline performing the treatment. I say this because L1P is a brand that is run by Doctors only. We have all had training for several years to get to the stage we are and accumulate the knowledge base we have. We are taught a patient centered care, and here at L1P this is the forefront of our practice. This doesn’t by any means mean we will not achieve the desired effect, This just means that we will need a few more sittings than another patient to achieve your goal.
WILL IT HURT BECAUSE MY LIPS ARE SMALLER?
I have had several patients attend the clinic who have been very worried about the pain aspect of the procedure. It is hard to assess every patients pain threshold however at L1P we use various anaesthetic options, from holistic to medical to ensure minimal pain for the patient. We ensure that the patient is comfortable in each procedure. I use things from vibrating techniques, topical anaesthetic and dental block. I also advise how to prepare for the procedure to ensure minimal pain during treatment.
WILL IT LOOK TOO OBVIOUS AND BIG?
The majority of the patients with smaller lips who attend are worried about the “trout pout”. During the consultation process I ask what the desired outcome is, what the patient wants the final product to look like. A lot of the time the worry is the obvious lip filler look. At L1P we ensure that the outcome of treatment is a natural look and thrive to have this image as the face of L1P. I have personally had my lips done at a clinic, unfortunately I had not researched, and my personal outcome I was not happy with. This really affected me emotionally as well as financially. Due to this personal experience, I ensure the patient leaves fulfilled and happy with their new lips. I also remind the patients that some images we see on social media with the fuller pout may have been a desired look for the patient in question. Obviously the very fuller lip comes with its own risks. At L1P we aim for a gradual approach with those with smaller lips ensuring the final effect is not a product that is talked about in the wrong context.
AT L1P AESTHETICS
There are some simple steps that a practitioner can take to reduce the risk of complications. . Adherence to aseptic and ‘no touch’ techniques is essential. The importance of hand washing cannot be overstated. I use a sterile pack, swabs and gloves for each procedure I perform. I cleanse skin with alcohol. Many clinics still use chlorhexidine however many studies have demonstrated that chlorhexidine can cause blindness and has stopped being used in the surgical setting. Hence at L1P we will NEVER use this product.
I personally use multiple needles or cannulas per procedure, and this is of particular importance with deep, volumising injections. On training days that I have attended, I have frequently seen practitioners touch or wipe their needle with a swab before injection. This is not sensible and should be avoided. If I touch my glove with a cannula, I change the cannula.
In terms of injection technique, I advise to go slowly and inject small amounts per injection point. Slow injections are less uncomfortable for the patient and reduce the risk of bruising and swelling and will likely make late complications less frequent.
Lip fillers are safe if you do it with the help of certified and expert beauty professionals.