In my last blog post, I discussed a few things you’ll want to consider when trying to figure out whether facial fillers are a good fit for you, including the various roles that the different fillers play and why your bestie’s favorite filler may not be the right choice for you.
Here, I’ll breakdown a few more considerations to round out our facial fillers guide.
Lip augmentation is an individualized treatment
We have the Kardashians to thank for the explosion of interest in lip augmentations. And while they’ve become the ideal for so many women, the truth is, everyone’s lips age a little differently once they hit 30. Consequently, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to achieving Kim’s luscious lips.
Hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers are the only kind used in the lips because they integrate well. But, from there, the treatment depends on you and your plastic surgeon. Soft, flexible HA fillers are a somewhat conservative approach, but they provide an appreciable volume boost without leaving the lips looking stiff or overdone.
For those interested in simply making their lips look a little more, well, pouty, the injection technique and placement matter as much as the filler. Even a tiny drop placed on the Cupid’s bow can have a meaningful effect.
Facial Fillers are full of possibility
When you think facial fillers, lips and wrinkles probably come rushing to mind. But they’re capable of so much more, like: elevating sunken scars, brightening hollowed-out under-eyes, and sharpening jawlines. They can also add more substance to bony hands.
More structural fillers, like Radiesse, Juvéderm Ultra, Restylane Lyft, are typically used in the hands and jawline. While a more fluid HA filler can lift the skin up and away from the underlying blood vessels, alleviating discoloration and hollowing under the eyes.
The acrylic-based Bellafill is the only filler technically approved by the FDA for treating acne scars, but plastic surgeons generally prefer to use reversible HA fillers instead because the injection placement can be tricky.
That said, facial fillers, on their own, aren’t miracle workers. They can help lift sagging skin to a degree, but a filler’s not going to have the same effect as a facelift. They’re also not going to be able to make deeply etched lines disappear. That’ll require a combination of procedures that may include filler, Botox, and laser resurfacing.
A tweak can make a big difference
It’s also a misconception that you need to be plagued by a specific problem before you can consider facial fillers. Just wanting to look a little different is enough. A plastic surgeon can refresh your look by placing tiny drops of filler in a few strategic locations. Allow your doctor to suggest a tweak that you never considered.
Injecting the temples is a great example. Almost no one asks for it, but it’s almost universally loved once it’s done.