Thanks to Kylie Jenner and many of the other Kardashians, lip fillers are the cosmetic enhancement that everyone wants. You only have to watch the thousands of ‘Kylie Jenner Lip Challenge’ videos to know that many girls want bigger lips, and they want them now. Although wanting filling your lips to be like Kylie Jenner probably isn’t the best goal, there are some great options out there for those of us who want a bigger pout but don’t want trout mouth. But how do you know what’s best for you? How can you tell the real horror stories apart from the crazy myths?
Claire and Dr Chris Koulos from Burnside Cosmetic and Skin Cancer Centre (BCSCC) have been in and out of the cosmetic surgery business for over 20 years, with Chris taking up small side projects like being a Clipsal 500 and Formula 1 doctor in between. They believe that cosmetic enhancements should look as natural as possible, working with each lip shape in proportion to the face to cater to every individual’s needs.
We sat down with Claire and Dr Chris to share with you nine things you probably didn’t know about lip fillers and to help you decide whether bigger lips is really what you want.
While bruising can occur, it only lasts 2-3 days.
One of the biggest worries people can have about getting lip fillers is looking like a WWE wrestler after a fight for the next few days after. When an experienced doctor is administering the injection however, they know the correct way to inject so there will be the smallest amount of bruising possible.
“Bruising can incur with any injection, and as the lip area is quite vascular it’s more likely to occur than in other areas of the face, but can be minimal when done properly.” Said Dr Chris.
It’s the same situation with swelling.
Swelling always occurs a little over the first few days, so the final result will look a little smaller than what you initially come out with. This is why it’s important to chose a regulated clinic over a budget chain, as it takes real skill with the injector to determine how much needs to go in now for it to look perfect in a week.
But I don’t want lumpy lips!
We hear you. Lip fillers have come far since the days of injecting cow collagen, and many of the newer products on the market are very soft and leave no telltale lumps. BCSCC uses Emervel, one of the latest and more natural-looking products that not many other clinics in Adelaide have yet.
The goal isn’t to look plastic and overfilled, á la Kylie Jenner.
Ah, the infamous Kyle Jenner lips debate. It’s estimated Miss Jenner gets around 1-2mL of filler injected every 8 weeks, to keep her 4-5mL look topped up. Putting too much into the lip in one treatment gives you the telltale trout mouth look, as can injecting filler into the same areas in the lip. By only injecting little bits at a time and working with the shape of the patient’s lip and face, BCSCC helps patients walk out looking naturally beautiful.
“At BCSCC we want people to walk out of here looking as natural as possible. We don’t just put it in one area, we work with the rest of their face to give them a naturally enhanced look.” Said Dr Chris.
Isn’t injecting chemicals into my body pretty bad?
Surprise! Lip fillers use hyaluronic acid, a water-attracting naturally occurring sugar found in the body and quite common in many skincare products. So fret not that you’re injecting harmful chemicals into your body, as it’s quite the opposite.
But where does the product go when my lips return to normal?
As hyaluronic acid is a substance naturally found in the body, lip fillers generally last around 6-12 months before being naturally broken down, like any substance in your body. Permanent fillers do exist, however those are an entirely different ball game and will need to be surgically removed if you ever want them gone.
Speaking of removal, is it possible to dissolve fillers earlier?
If you’re really unhappy with the final result of your fillers, it is possible to dissolve it. It’s quite a painful and expensive experience however, and Dr Chris doesn’t advise it.
Dr Chris prefers to not correct other people’s mistakes with lip fillers. “We recommend people wait the 6-12 months for the filler to be reabsorbed naturally, then we will see the patient and can attempt to give them new fillers with more symmetry and balance”
Why do some places charge a fraction of the price for fillers?
As with anything, what you pay for is what you get. Budget places often use unsupervised nurses to do the injecting, who are required to perform the procedure under the supervision of a doctor. Supervision via Skype or Facetime from a remote location isn’t the safest option particularly if something goes wrong and there aren’t any doctors on site to handle the emergency. It is often forgotten that this is a medical procedure, and the filler needs to be prescribed by a doctor. There have been reported cases of dermal fillers being injected in the wrong area, resulting in blindness. Dr Chris’s advice is to do your research and choose your injector wisely. The cheapest option is not always the best. When it comes to your face, who really wants to risk it to save a few dollars?
How does Botox (anti-wrinkle treatments) differ from dermal fillers?
The two are quite often confused with each other, however when it comes down to it, they’re both very different. Dr Chris explains;
Dr Chris says “Anti-wrinkle injections are muscle relaxants that soften wrinkles on the face in areas such as forehead, frown and crow’s feet and can be used to perform the ever popular brow lifts too. The full effect is seen within 2 weeks. They last 3-6 months when administered correctly, depending on the person. Dermal fillers are for areas of the face that have volume loss such as cheeks or jowls, or to enhance lips. The fillers used at BCSCC integrate into your own tissue giving a seamless, natural look. They work by attracting water to plump up the area, which is an instant lift to the face. You can see the effect whilst in the chair, no waiting to see results! Dermal fillers are more expensive, but last longer, especially if you keep up your treatments. Dermal fillers can last 6-24 months, depending on which filler is used.
BCSCC and The Adelaidian hope we’ve given you some insight into the alluring world of lip fillers! If you have any other questions, you can contact Claire and Dr Chris on 7221 2577 or find them at Burnside Village Shopping Centre.