Natural-Looking Lip Filler
When it comes to the appearance of the lips, many people dream of achieving the perfect pout, with full, pillowy lips like those commonly seen on social media. A full lower lip with a perfectly sculpted upper lip to accentuate the Cupid’s bow and philtrum columns are often seen as the ideal characteristics of beautiful lips. Thin, asymmetrical lips can be an unavoidable reality for many. As we age, lip volume naturally decreases as collagen production decreases and fine lines begin to appear around the mouth. Luckily, fuller lips can be easily achieved without the need for cosmetic surgery. Instead, the ideal lip augmentation is attainable with the help of lip filler treatment. Hyaluronic acid fillers, such as Restylane and Juvederm, are the perfect cosmetic treatment for lip enhancement and can be performed by a board-certified expert dermatologist, such as Dr. Michele Green in New York City.
When some patients hear “filler injections,” they worry about overfilling the lips, which is when too much filler is injected into the treatment area, creating a duck-like appearance or overly puffy “sausage lips.” This leaves many patients wondering how to access natural-looking results, subtly correct asymmetry, and achieve the perfect lip shape. To get the perfect natural lip, it is imperative that you choose an experienced injector, such as Dr. Green, who believes in a less-is-more approach to facial fillers and will take your individual needs and goals into account when creating the treatment plan that is unique to you. Dr. Green most frequently employs three types of lip fillers – Juvederm Volbella, Juvederm Ultra XC, and Restylane Kysse – to perform lip augmentations and erase lip lines, all without the need for plastic surgery or downtime.
Experienced, board-certified dermatologist, Dr. Michele Green, has been treating patients in her New York City Upper East Side office for more than 25 years. Well-known for providing patients with their ideal, natural-looking results, Dr. Green is well-versed in the artistry necessary to achieve the perfect lip shape. In addition to her work as a dermal filler injector, Dr. Green is a master at various cosmetic treatments, including Botox for dynamic wrinkles, the Botox lip flip, laser treatments, body contouring, skincare, and more. In recognition of her work, Dr. Green has been voted one of the best healthcare providers in New York City by such publications as Castle Connolly, Super Doctors, and New York Magazine.
What is a lip filler?
Lip fillers, also known as dermal fillers or facial fillers, are injectable treatments that work to add volume and fill in fine lines and wrinkles at the injection site. Several different types of fillers vary in their active ingredient, but when used on the lips, the most common lip fillers are hyaluronic acid fillers, such as Juvederm and Restylane. Juvederm and Restylane both use the active ingredient of hyaluronic acid, which is a naturally occurring substance in the body that helps to add volume and hydrate the treatment area. Both the Juvederm and Restylane family of fillers are FDA-approved for lip injections, providing patients with full, hydrated lips and restoring color and elasticity.
How do lip injections work?
Lip injections are an effective way to add volume, color, and hydration to the lips and to fill in fine lines that develop around the mouth, known as vertical lip lines. Hyaluronic acid fillers, such as Juvederm and Restylane, are very effective for patients seeking lip augmentation to create the perfect pout and correct age-related volume loss and creases. Hyaluronic acid, the active ingredient in Restylane and Juvederm, naturally attracts water. When injected into the lips, the filler enhances the lips, helping to retain moisture for a plump and hydrated look. The cross-linking technology in the filler also helps to add volume and structure at the injection site, which also helps to fill in fine lines and wrinkles. Over time, the body breaks down the filler, and the effects begin to fade. However, patients can return once or twice yearly for a touch-up and maintenance appointment.
What are the different kinds of dermal fillers for lip enhancements?
Many different types of dermal fillers can be used in various treatment areas. Some dermal fillers are best for filling in deep hollows in the cheeks or severe facial wrinkles around the nose and mouth. However, these facial fillers often have a larger particle size and a thicker gel, making them less ideal for natural-looking lip enhancements. The Restylane and Juvederm family of hyaluronic acid fillers have dermal fillers that were specifically designed for lip enhancement with natural-looking results. With more flexible gel and smaller particle sizes, Restylane Kysse, Juvederm Volbella, and Juvederm Ultra XC are the ideal dermal fillers for lip injections.
Restylane Kysse – One of the newest members of the Restylane portfolio, Restylane Kysse was FDA-approved in 2020 to be used specifically for lip enhancement. Using the patented cross-linking XpreHAn technology, Restylane Kysse is a flexible gel that augments the lips while allowing full expressive capabilities. According to clinical trials, Restylane Kysse has a high approval rating, with 98% of patients reporting satisfaction with the results and 96% of patients saying that they had achieved natural-looking results. Dr. Green typically uses Restylane Kysse for patients who are looking for a more subtle, natural-looking enhancement to the lips. Restylane Kysse typically lasts for up to a year.
Juvederm Volbella – One of two members of the Juvederm family to be FDA-approved for use in the lips, Juvederm Volbella works wonders for lip enhancement and decreases the appearance of fine lines around the top lip and mouth. When injected directly into the lips, Juvederm Volbella provides patients with plump, smooth, hydrated lips with results that last for up to a year. Juvederm Volbella is an ideal treatment for adding more volume to the lips and for older patients looking to eliminate vertical lip lines around the mouth.
Juvederm Ultra XC – Similarly to Juvederm Volbella, Juvederm Ultra XC is FDA-approved for injection into the lips. Juvederm Ultra XC is the option that Dr. Green will frequently choose for patients who are looking for a more dramatic augmentation. The effects of Juvederm Ultra XC last for up to one year before the procedure should be repeated for continued results.
Is it possible to get natural-looking lip fillers?
When patients ask if it is possible to get natural-looking lip fillers, the answer is a resounding yes! Browsing through social media, we may come across a celebrity who has received too much filler, resulting in a sort of duck-face look, which occurs when the top lip is overfilled, making it protrude farther than what looks natural. “Sausage lips” can also be a common occurrence from inexperienced injectors which will add filler evenly across the upper and lower lips, which leads to a lack of contouring in the lips. It is important to seek out an experienced injector, such as Dr. Green, who understands the structure of the lips and how to add a filler for natural-looking enhancement artfully. Dr. Green will also employ a less-is-more approach to adding filler to the lips, typically having patients sit with the filler for two weeks before returning for a check-up. After two weeks, Dr. Green can add more filler if patients desire a more dramatic augmentation.
Why do some lip fillers look natural?
There are many different dermal fillers available in the Juvederm and Restylane family and each serves a different purpose. Some fillers are formulated with a thicker gel for filling in deeper wrinkles or hollows on the midface and lower face. While these fillers can, in theory, be used in the lips, the thicker gel creates a more dramatic enhancement for less natural-looking results. That is why dermal fillers such as Restylane Kysse, Juvederm Volbella and Juvederm Ultra XC are best when used for the lips. Due to their smaller particle size and more flexible gel, these fillers create a more natural lip look and contour, providing patients with lip enhancements that feel natural.
How to make lip fillers look natural
In addition to choosing the right dermal filler with small particle sizes and flexible gel, it is important to seek out an experienced injector who knows how to inject the filler artfully and precisely. Every patient has a unique lip shape. Dr. Green is an expert at examining each patient’s natural anatomy and determining the placement and concentration of each injection to meet their goals. The injector needs to understand how different areas in the lips have more or less fullness to maintain or create the ideal lip shape. There is a Golden Ratio when thinking about lip fullness, in which the upper lip is about two-thirds as full as the lower lip, creating the perfect pout. Achieving the ideal lip contour also depends on the shape and symmetry of the Cupid’s Bow, which is the curve in the center of the upper lip. There should be a sort of triangle created between the Cupid’s Bow and the philtrum lines for a naturally pleasing, youthful appearance.
How to get natural-looking lip filler
The best way to get natural-looking lip filler is to schedule an appointment with expert board-certified dermatologist Dr. Michele Green in NYC. To begin, you will have an initial consultation with Dr. Green, where you will discuss your aesthetic goals, and Dr. Green will examine the natural contour of your lips. Following the consultation, Dr. Green will recommend which dermal filler will best meet your specific needs. In the week leading up to the procedure, Dr. Green advises patients to avoid blood thinners, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, fish oil, and vitamin E, to decrease the risk of bruising following the injections. When you arrive for your treatment, Dr. Green will begin by marking the injection site. Typically, no topical numbing cream is necessary due to the presence of lidocaine in the injectable filler, which is a numbing agent. This ensures that there is minimal discomfort during the treatment itself, and most patients report feeling little to no pain during injections. Following the procedure, Dr. Green will apply an ice pack to the injection site to further minimize the risk of bruising. Swelling, redness, bruising, and slight pain are common, mild side effects of any injectable treatment and should resolve themselves on their own within several days. No downtime is necessary following the treatment, and patients can immediately return to their regularly scheduled activities directly after the procedure.
What is the best lip filler to use for a natural look?
Choosing the dermal filler that will look the most natural can feel like a daunting task. With so many different kinds of fillers available, it can be difficult to know which will be best. That is why it is important to seek treatment from a board-certified expert plastic surgeon or dermatologist, such as Dr. Green, who will examine your lips and take into account your aesthetic goals before determining the lip filler that will be best for you. The three kinds of dermal fillers that Dr. Green employs most often for a natural lip are Restylane Kysse, Juvederm Volbella, and Juvederm Ultra XC. All three dermal fillers are specifically formulated with smaller particle sizes and more flexible gel for delicate lips.
What lip filler looks the most natural?
There are three main lip fillers that Dr. Green will use to produce natural results: Restylane Kysse, Juvederm Volbella, and Juvederm Ultra XC. All three fillers can create lip augmentation that is naturally youthful-looking thanks also, in large part, to Dr. Green’s skill at injecting the filler appropriately. By injecting these flexible fillers in the appropriate areas of the lips, Dr. Green can add volume and hydration to the lips while creating or maintaining the most aesthetically pleasing shape.
What is the most subtle lip filler?
The lip filler that is designed to provide patients with subtle, natural-looking results is the Restylane Kysse lip filler. Created with cross-linking XpresHAn technology, Restylane Kysse has the smallest particle size of any of the Restylane fillers to fill the lips delicately. Patients looking to add some volume, color, and hydration to the lips without creating an overly dramatic change can turn to Restylane Kysse. If you are looking for subtle, naturally youthful-looking results, schedule a consultation with Dr. Green to see if Restylane Kysse is the right option for you.
How much does lip filler cost?
When patients ask about the cost of lip filler, the answer is: it depends on several factors, including the patient’s geographic location, the type of institution at which they receive treatment, and the amount of filler needed to achieve their desired results. For a natural lip, most patients only require one syringe of lip filler, which can range in price from $400-$1,000. While treatment may be less expensive at an institution, such as a MedSpa, the injectors, there are typically less experienced and can overfill the lips for an unnatural look. An expert dermatologist, such as Dr. Green, may be more expensive, but Dr. Green is extremely artful and precise in her injections, providing patients with optimal results. The total cost of the treatment session can also shift based on whether or not patients opt to have additional procedures or filler in other places across the face. After Dr. Green has determined the treatment, or series of treatments, to meet your needs best, her office will be able to provide you with a more accurate prediction of the cost of treatment.
What are the benefits of lip fillers?
There are many benefits to receiving lip fillers from a board-certified dermatologist such as Dr. Green. Lip fillers are ideal for patients who are looking to augment the size of their lips and correct any asymmetry to be found to achieve the perfect pout. Providing patients with natural-looking results, dermal fillers for the lips are perfect for any age. For older patients who are beginning to experience fine lines around the mouth and a loss of volume in the lips due to decreased collagen production, lip fillers can fill in wrinkles and restore lost volume. The effects of lip fillers can be seen for approximately a year, but patients can return one to two times a year to maintain the treatment results. Further, suppose patients are dissatisfied with the appearance of Restylane or Juvederm fillers. In that case, they can be easily dissolved with the use of hyaluronidase, and the effects of the treatment will be reversed.
Can lip filler look natural? How do I get started today with lip enhancement?
Lip filler can be used to create natural-looking and long-lasting enhancements to the lips. Whether you are looking to combat age-related volume loss and fine lines and wrinkles around the lips, or you are simply looking to create an Instagram-worthy pout, Dr. Green can use dermal filler injections to provide you with the lip augmentation results that you seek. Hyaluronic acid fillers, such as Juvederm and Restylane, are considered the gold standard for lip enhancement. Dr. Green’s less-is-more approach to dermal fillers provides patients with the means to achieve their aesthetic goals without overfilling the lips.
Dr. Michele Green in New York City is an internationally-renowned board-certified cosmetic dermatologist with over two and a half decades of experience providing some of the most discerning men and women from around the globe with the best non-invasive treatment options available, including natural-looking lip augmentation. For her dedication to her patients and expertise, Dr. Green is consistently identified as one of New York’s best dermatologists by Castle Connolly, New York Magazine, and Super Doctors. When you consult with Dr. Green at her private dermatology office in the Upper East Side neighborhood of Manhattan, she will work with you to create a customized rejuvenation treatment plan best suited to addressing your specific concerns and achieving luscious, fuller lips with enhanced contour and natural-looking results that last. Contact us online today or call our NYC-based office at 212-535-3088 to learn more about whether using Restylane Kysse, Juvederm Volbella, or Juvederm Ultra XC may be suitable for your perfect pout.