Lip fillers are on the rise across the globe, the treatment’s popularity has sky rocketed due to platforms such as Instagram, Facebook and Twitter, the accessibility to pout perfect celebrities and the booming beauty business have made lusting after the perfect lips the norm. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons’ 2016 report showed that lip filler treatments have risen by 50% from 2000-2016. Whether you love a subtle enhancement or want to rock the Jenner pout there is a lip augmentation for you, we have decided to write this post to cover some of our FAQs.

What are lip fillers and is it a safe product to have injected into my face?
The filler itself is a hyaluronic acid molecule, which is a naturally occurring compound in the body; this means reaction rates are very low as your body doesn’t recognise the filler as a foreign body or a threat. Hyaluronic acid attracts water and can hold up to 1,000 times its own weight. When injected into the border and body of the lip this results in a plumper, more defined and hydrated effect.

Can anyone have them?
For fillers (and any non-invasive injectable treatments) patients need to be aged 18 and over. No clinical studies have ever been carried out with pregnant or breastfeeding participants, so we avoid treating women during these times. As long as you don’t have a history of an allergic reaction to dermal filler or lidocaine (local anaesthetic) most candidates are suitable. We also advise any clients who are prone to cold sores to take a prophylactic course of Aciclovir prior to treatment to help to avoid the treatment triggering a breakout, this can be prescribed for you at consultation by our Director, Fiona.

How long do lip fillers last?
It depends on the product, the patient and a number of other factors such as smoking, frequency and intensity of exercise and frequency of sun exposure. As a ballpark figure the first time should last four to eight months and after that can be anything from nine months-plus. Longevity will depend on the person’s metabolic rate and age. We suggest building up filler over time to achieve your desired result and then maintaining your shape and size with top ups every 6-12 months.

What’s the healing time?
There is no downtime as such, swelling will occur for 24 to 72 hours post treatment- the degree of swelling will vary from client to client, some may hardly notice the swelling whereas others will have more, swelling is completely normal due to trauma (injections) to the lip area. Bruising is rare however clients should be aware that this can occur- we advise not having any big events in the diary for two weeks following your procedure to give everything a chance to settle down.

How much do lip fillers cost?
This varies depending on the practitioner and product, but you can expect anything from £150 to beyond £1,500. You should think of it a little like a hairdresser – you are paying for the expertise of the practitioner rather than the actual product. We pride ourselves on having a fair price point which offers a thorough consultation, a pleasant and safe experience with aftercare and advice on hand at any time if it is required.

What if I’m not happy with the results?
Lip fillers can be dissolved very quickly. An eraser enzyme called Hyalase will almost instantly dissolve the filler which will result in the lips returning to their normal shape. All reputable practitioners must be trained to use Hyalase and be able to prescribe this for their patients if need be- this is a very important question to ask when having a consultation with any practitioner.