What Fillers Are Best for Lips?
Injectable lip fillers (also called dermal fillers) create a fuller, more plumped look and feel to your lips and reshape the outer border of the lip. If you’re considering a dermal filler lip treatment, you may have already discovered that there are a few different filler options that are often used in the lips. Choosing the right filler can be a bit confusing, so I’ve compiled a lip filler guide to help you understand the differences between some of the most commonly used lip fillers and how to select the best option for your needs.
Which Dermal Filler is the Safest for Lips?
There are many fillers that are used in the lips that should not be because they can cause permanent disfigurement. Never let anyone inject your lips with anything permanent such as silicone. As you age, your lips change shape and become thinner. You don’t want to be left with asymmetry or unsightly bulges. I also am not a fan of semi-permanent fillers in the lips such as Radiesse and Bellafill. I suggest only using hyaluronic acid filler sin the lip because they are temporary and easily removed with an injection of an enzyme called hyaluronidase.
What Is Hyaluronic Acid?
The best lip fillers contain a glycosaminoglycan (sugar) called hyaluronic acid, which is naturally present in your skin. These molecules work by drawing water to the surface of your lips and skin, which is what creates the desired plumping effect. In fact, hyaluronic acid can bind to and retain as much as 1,000 times its weight in water molecules, making it an excellent ingredient to naturally add plumpness and volume to the skin. As we age, the amount of hyaluronic acid that is naturally present in our skin begins to decrease, resulting in a thinner, deflated appearance. Adding HA filler to the lips gives them a plumper youthful shape. For younger patients, fillers can help to enhance the volume or shape of the lips for a more aesthetically pleasing appearance.
Hyaluronic acid fillers typically last anywhere from six months to one year, with their effects gradually fading away over time. One of the benefits of hyaluronic acid lip fillers is that they can be dissolved sooner than this if you have a negative reaction to the product or if you’re unhappy with the results. Choose an experienced, artistic injector who is willing to listen to your goals and create the most appropriate treatment plan for your needs. When injected properly and with artistic skill, lip fillers can yield very smooth, natural-looking, and beautiful results.
The Best HA Fillers for the Lips
Although many different fillers contain hyaluronic acid, each filler has distinct scientific characteristics. The differences in molecular weight of the hyaluronic acid, chain length, viscosity, how the chains are crosslinked together affects how hard or soft the filler is (G prime) and how much it spreads versus holding together (cohesively). . For example, softer fillers are best for the body of the lips, while firmer fillers are best to change the lip shape, to enhance the lining of the lip, or to make the lips curl upward. Using the wrong filler can give an unnatural “fish mouth” or “duck lip” look.
The measurement G’ (pronounced G-prime) is used to measure how soft or stiff a product is. Low G’ fillers like Belotero® and Vollure™ are best for plumping the body of the lips, whereas high G’ fillers like Restylane® Silk are best for the changing the lip lining and shape. Restylane Silk, which was created specifically for use in the lips, is my favorite high G’ filler for the vermillion border (white line) of the lip. Belotero is my favorite for fine lines and I prefer Vollure for the body of the lips because of its soft and natural feel ( low G’).
How to Choose the Right Lip Filler
The right lip filler for you will depend on your unique needs and goals. As described above, if you’re looking for a boost in volume of the body of your lips, a softer filler like Belotero or Vollure will be best. On the other hand, if you want more of a vermillion border or more of a “V” shape in the cupid’s bow area, for example, a filler like Restylane Silk could be the best choice.
Keep in mind that the goal of lip augmentation isn’t to make the lips as big as possible, but rather to enhance their size and shape while still maintaining the balance and proportions of your other facial features. Understanding proper lip proportions and how to achieve a balanced look that stays in harmony with the rest of your facial features is an important aspect of getting the natural results you’re looking for.
In Summary
You have several different options when it comes to choosing a lip filler. The first and most important step, though, is to select a highly-skilled and experienced provider who knows how to create a soft, natural look that won’t appear fake or leave you with the dreaded duck lip look. Your best bet is to schedule a consultation to discuss your unique goals and get an individualized assessment of your natural lip shape and proportions. This information will help to determine what type of filler is right for you.
If you still have questions about the best filler for your lips or the differences between some of the most popular fillers, share it with us in the comments or post it on the Skin Type Solutions Facebook page!
