What product is used
The last 30+ years have seen many skin and soft tissue augmenting products (commonly referred to as fillers) being used by Health Care Professionals to treat the signs of ageing and the past several years have seen many brands of hyaluronic acid gel products come into the market.
Hyaluronic acid is a natural constituent of skin, young skin is continually moisturised and hydrated from within by this naturally occurring sugar as it attracts and holds on to water.
A synthetic hyaluronic acid manufactured in a laboratory into an injectable gel product is commonly used in our clinic. These gels can be injected to replace volume loss in skin and other soft tissues to rejuvenate the ageing face and neck. The body breaks down the gel over time as it does its own natural hyaluronic acid and it can also be dissolved using the medicine Hyaluronidase (an enzyme).
In our clinic we choose our products based on research, studies and evidence-based medicine and purchase them from a UK Pharmacy. They are non-animal HAs and not tested on animals. Our preferred brand in clinic is ALIAXIN, an ultra- pure HA which seamlessly integrates into the tissues. This hyaluronic acid is characterized by its high degree of purity, ‘ultrapure’, produced through a patented biofermentation process that creates a very high quality ingredient.
How does it work?
Hyaluronic acid is a natural constituent of skin, young skin is continuously moisturised from within by this naturally occurring sugar. It attracts and holds on to water to provide hydration, structure and volume. The skin’s levels of hyaluronic acid dramatically diminish with age causing skin to become dry and lose volume.
Each lip filler used at Mid Yorkshire Skin Clinic is a smooth gel formulation with cross linked hyaluronic acid. It is injected into the body of the lip and if required the perioral lines (vertical lines around the lips).
We offer three types of lip enhancement: –
Lip Volume
Whilst this can provide very favourable results it is important to remember that we must respect the natural anatomy and shape of the lips and only provide subtle changes. We often find that where a particular shape or ‘look’ has been chased, over treatment results and lumps, bumps and migration of the filler product are almost guaranteed.
Lip Restore
These signs of ageing mostly relate to fat loss or redistribution in the structures surrounding the lip as well as loss of the lip tissue itself. We find the lip body thinner than before and perhaps turning slightly in towards the mouth. As the facial bones change, we see the upper lip lengthening with more space between the nose and upper lip tissue. More vertical lines develop to this same area from not only slight fat loss but also thickening to the skin and the subtle pressure from bilateral facial laxity. This can be one of the more complex areas to treat.
It is often appropriate to treat the lips in isolation to achieve a little volume and mask some of these changes, however it may be that we suggest additional treatments around the lips to give a more comprehensive result.
Combinations of skin treatments such as laser, radiofrequency microneedling or skin peels alongside volume replacement using soft tissue filler will often be the key to a more youthful appearance around the mouth and lips.
Lip Correct
Commonly we see migration of lip filler which will require correction and retreatment. In fact, this is very common and when you consider the mobility and specific movements/uses of the lips even in the most experienced hands, it makes sense that a little filler can migrate from the lip into the white lip above. While there will almost always be a little migration with any treatment, certain techniques and methods can limit and mitigate this. Feel free to ask your nurse for more information on how we help to avoid migration.
What happens during my consultation?
During your consultation a detailed medical history will be taken, helping the nurse to determine which products and treatments are safe and suitable for you. This will also reduce the risk of any unwanted side effects from treatments. During this consultation the potential risks and aftercare recommendations are discussed, helping you determine whether this form of treatment is really right for you.
What happens during my treatment appointment?
Preparation
Lips require local anaesthetic treatment prior to lip enhancement, for some lip procedures local anaesthetic cream is suitable, however, for some of our treatments local anaesthetic injections are used to ensure that you are comfortable throughout the treatment.
Treatment
Once numb the skin is cleaned with a solution and the product is injected with a needle or a blunt ended cannula as appropriate. A light massage is performed with an arnica and aloe gel and lips are moisturised.
What is the aftercare advice?
You will be given verbal and written advice. You will be able to see some results immediately where the product has been placed; you may also see some swelling and perhaps bruising. Best results are seen between 2-3 weeks, a review appointment will be made for this time. A second treatment is not usually required; however, it is good practice to review results.
You will be advised not to touch the treated areas and avoid makeup and alcohol on the treatment day. Also, you should avoid excessive heat such as sauna, steam room, sunbed, sunbathing and spa for 2 weeks. For safety reasons we do not treat our clients with lip fillers too close to a holiday abroad, we suggest treatment at least 2 weeks in advance.
If you have a history of cold sores we may prescribe Aciclovir oral tablets (antiviral) to prevent a breakout. You will be advised to take the full course as prescribed.
How long do the results last?
Who is not suitable for this treatment?
- Anyone allergic to any of the ingredients in the product (Hyaluronic acid is a natural constituent of skin therefore you would not be allergic to this) Lidocaine is usually present within the hyaluronic acid gel formulation
- Skin infection at the injection site
- Lip enhancement is contraindicated for some people with certain auto-immune diseases
- If you are pregnant, trying to become pregnant or breast-feeding (It is not known if the filler can be harmful to your unborn child)
- Also tell us if you are taking any medicines including herbal as some may be contraindicated