-
Yes this is perfectly safe – these two medications have the same basic active ingredient – hyaluronic acid, which is a clear gel normally found in the body and is highly compatible with our tissues. Mixing the two should not be a problem at all. -
Costs vary depending on procedure. For Restylane, Perlane and Juvederm , the cost is $600 per syringe and usually the job can be done with one syringe alone. For the first visit to the office, we offer a 20% discount to new filler patients. These fillers generally last four to five months.
If the patient doesn’t want augmentation from fillers, there is a material called ‘hyaluronidase’ that can be used to dissolve it, which would be incur an additional fee. For fat grafting, each session costs about $4,000 (this includes getting a bit of fat through liposuction, the surgeon’s fee and also the fees for the anesthesiologist and the operating room). Permanent augmentation options are also available, and vary by price.For more detailed information, please see my earlier post.
-
In order to obtain truly natural feeling lips, meaning full but still soft and supple lips, with movement that feels normal to the touch, lip augmentation must come from hyaluronic acid fillers (Juvederm, Restylane and the soon-to-be-approved belotero) or from fat grafts to the lips. Implants and long-lasting fillers like silicone can make the lips firm or feel like there are hard nodules or foreign objects in the lips. -
Lip augmentation is actually a pretty complex topic for what seems like a simple goal. The reason is that most patients would love to have a permanent augmentation to the lips but often it would be either a major undertaking, or involve enough steps that in the end a filler would be simply a much easier way to go.For temporary lip augmentation, only one category of filler material is safe, which is a clear gel filler called hyaluronic acid. The brand names in this category are Restylane, Perlane and Juvederm (there are some other minor players, but those are all of the major ones). They last about 4-6 months for the most part in the lips. There is a bit (a 3-5 on a scale of 1-10) of discomfort with injection, but they seem to be tolerated fine in the office. Bruising happens in about 40-50% of patients and lasts about 3-5 days. This costs $600 per syringe and usually the job can be done with 1 syringe alone. For the first visit to the office, we offer a 20% discount to new filler patients.
For permanent lip augmentation, none of the artificial permanent fillers (i.e. silicone or Artefill) or the permanent lip implants (a silicone tube or a saline-filled tube) are a good idea in any way. The permanent fillers can harden over time and become a huge problem for the patient. Lip implants can often be felt and they actually protrude through the skin over time so many of them have been removed from the market over the years.
Filling the lips with one’s one tissues is really the only viable permanent option. This is done with fat grafting. The challenge here is that fat grafts tend to reabsorb in the face and therefore the patient and doctor have to decide if they want to do multiple smaller grafting procedures or one huge grafting procedure. Each has significant disadvantages – multiple procedures are expensive since fat grafting has to be done in a sterile operating room setting, and a single large session of grafting results in grossly overfilled lips that look nothing short of ridiculous for several weeks to a few months until they settle down. Each grafting session costs about $4,000 (this includes getting a bit of fat through liposuction, the surgeon’s fee and also the fees for the anesthesiologist and the operating room) so you can imagine that this gets expensive very quickly. Multiple grafting sessions do cost extra fees, so it can get really expensive to get the job done.
For lip fillers revisions are usually not necessary. If there are minor irregularities, they can almost always be massaged out. If the patient wishes to have more volume and we have already used the full syringe, then an additional fee for another syringe would apply. If, for some reason, the patient simply doesn’t like the augmentation from fillers then there is actually a material called ‘hyaluronidase’ that can be used to dissolve it. I haven’t ever had to do this with any of my injections to the lips but it’s nice to know there is a tool available for us for correction if we need it.
-
Yes, when administered by a surgeon experienced with fillers, there should be very little bruising and swelling visible after treatment. As the days pass, some very mild effects may be visible, with very minor bruising in 20% of patients still occurring on Monday. After that, any bruising should be entirely resolved no later than Wednesday. Schedule a consult with Dr. Mosser to discuss your options. -
There really is no right answer to this question. There are several different treatment options, and all work in different ways and treat different aspects. The best bet is to schedule an exam with your doctor, and let him or her assess the issue in person to help you decide on a course of action. Make sure they are Board Certified.
For many patients though, a filler works well to treat the lines between the nose and the mouth, resulting in a more youthful appearance. Long lasting fillers like Radiesse, or permanent fillers such as Artefill are great options for this area. I recommend scheduling a consult with your surgeon to gain the most accurate advice.
-
“Smoker lines” are actually possible whether you smoke or not. Smoking breaks down the production of collagen which increases the appearance of wrinkles, so it’s good to avoid smoking altogether. But it’s not the only cause of these lines. Time, age and sun damage can also contribute to these wrinkles.For the small, vertical lines above the upper lip, a filler such as Juvederm may be a good option. Because of this filler’s smooth consistency, it works well to fill these lines in and improve the appearance.
Sometimes a combination of fillers and treatments like Botox or Dysport are a better option depending upon your situation. Botox relaxes the muscles underneath, which is part of the cause of the wrinkles in the first place. However, either Botox or Dysport should only be injected into the lips by someone who is highly experienced in this treatment.
Another option would be to have a surgical dermabrasion procedure to this area. The dermabrasion procedure works by modifying the deeper layers of the skin, which then become smoother. You can then plump up the lips with a filler to volumize and achieve very pleasing results. As always, consult with a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and allow him or her to advise you as to the best treatment options based on your unique situation.
-
There are of course several options for lip enhancement. Overall though, fillers are the best option. They are temporary, and fillers such as Juvederm, Restylane and Perlane are excellent options that can provide a natural looking and feeling result.A more permanent solution is fat grafting, but this should only be done by a highly skilled and experienced surgeon. Lip augmentation is a bit of an art form, and facial aesthetics should always be taken into consideration as well. Do your research and find a reputable surgeon no matter which option you choose.
-
We all have sebaceous glands in our lips. It is a natural occurrence and they are there for a reason. They may look a little yellow to white in color and be smooth to the touch. Although this is most likely just the natural texture of your lips being pushed to the surface by the filler, it is always wise to discuss your result with the physician or nurse who initially injected you.They can then decide if the bumps are normal or if it is something that needs to be addressed. If the spots are bumpy to the touch, and clear or blue in color, this may be caused by the filler and can be fixed by your doctor by smoothing or draining them. Always see your doctor if you have questions or concerns.
-
Most patients seeking lip augmentation are looking to increase fullness and ‘the pouty’ look, but also for it to appear as natural as possible. That includes the lips feeling as natural as possible as well. And many new patients tend to worry over whether or not the doctor will make their lips too full, like some of the Hollywood starlets who go overboard on the poutiness.This is in fact a much more involved process than simply pumping filler into your lips. A true professional takes into account not just your lips, but the overall facial balance as well, and uses that to craft the most pleasing result possible.
To ensure that you get a result that you like, it is important to find out the aesthetics of the physician you will be seeing. Does the doctor prefer a natural aesthetic for his/her patients? Is the doctor conservative when it comes to fillers? Do you like the before and after photos on the doctor’s website?
Once you find a doctor with a similar aesthetic as yours, be sure to discuss your goals with the doctor to ensure that you are both on the same page regarding the result you desire. It is important that you feel listened to and understood by the doctor who will be treating you.