Lip fillers have become an increasingly popular cosmetic treatment to plump up lips and reduce the signs of aging around the mouth. While often safe when performed by an experienced provider, lip fillers do come with risks, especially if injected incorrectly into certain areas of the lips and mouth.
What are lip fillers?
Lip fillers are injectable gel implants made of hyaluronic acid that add volume to the lips and smooth out wrinkles around the mouth. Common brands of lip fillers include Juvederm, Restylane, and Versa. The effects of lip fillers are temporary and last 6-12 months before the material gets gradually absorbed by the body.
Lip fillers work by increasing hydration and plumping up lips from the inside out. The hyaluronic acid attracts water molecules and swells up where it’s injected. This adds fullness to otherwise thin lips or deflated lips that have lost volume due to aging.
Why get lip fillers?
There are several reasons people seek lip fillers:
- Make lips look fuller and more defined
- Reduce fine lines and wrinkles around the lips
- Create more facial symmetry and balance out uneven lips
- Plump up lips that have thinned out with age
- Boost confidence and self-esteem
Lip fillers provide a nonsurgical alternative to more invasive surgical lip implants. They can offer subtle lip enhancement with minimal downtime when properly placed.
Risks of incorrect lip filler injection sites
While generally safe for adding volume, lip fillers do carry risks of complications and uneven results if injected incorrectly into certain areas:
- Into blood vessels: Accidental injection into a blood vessel can cause vascular occlusion and potential tissue death. This is an emergency situation.
- Too close to the vermillion border: Injecting too close to the edge of the lips can cause a visible ridge and uneven lip line.
- Into orbicularis oris muscle: Injecting filler too deep can immobilize the muscle which controls lip movement.
- Into mucosa: Injecting into the wet mucosa instead of the body of the lips can lead to quickly absorbed filler and unevenness.
- Too much into the philtrum: Overfilling the philtrum, or groove between nose and mouth, can look unnatural.
- Too close to the commissures: Filler placement too close to corners of the mouth can distort lip shape and mobility.
Safe injection zones for lip fillers
The key to avoiding risks and getting smooth, natural-looking lip enhancement is to inject the dermal filler precisely within the recommended safe zones. The safest areas for lip injections include:
- The body of the upper and lower lip
- The lip lines around the mouth
- The philtrum columns on either side of cupid’s bow
- The central portion of the lower lip
Injectors should avoid placing filler too close to the wet/dry border of the vermillion, near blood vessels, into the orbicularis muscle, or too close to the corners of the mouth. Careful injection technique in the proper tissue planes is critical.
What to expect during proper lip filler treatment
When performed correctly by an expert injector, here is what you can expect during your lip filler appointment:
- Thorough consultation about treatment goals and expectations
- Facial analysis to determine the right amount of filler needed
- Numbing cream applied before injections for comfort
- Careful injections within safe zones using small amounts of filler
- Gentle massaging of lips to evenly distribute filler
- Icing of lips to reduce swelling and tenderness
- Avoidance of strenuous activity for 24 hours
- Minimal downtime but some temporary swelling, redness, and tenderness
- Visible results as swelling subsides over 2 weeks
- Follow up 4-6 weeks later to assess results
Risks and complications of improper lip filler injections
Injecting dermal fillers in the wrong location or incorrect depth can increase the risk of complications such as:
- Vascular occlusion: Blockage of a blood vessel which can damage surrounding tissue
- Necrosis: Death of lip tissue from impaired blood supply
- Uneven lips: Lumpiness, ridges, and asymmetry
- Overfilled appearance: Unnatural, ‘trout pout’ look
- Granulomas: Inflammatory nodules that may need treatment
- Migration: Filler moving into surrounding areas
Unskilled injectors who lack proper training in lip anatomy and injection techniques are more likely to cause complications and poor cosmetic results.
How to choose the right provider for lip fillers
Finding an experienced, qualified cosmetic injector is key to getting smooth, beautiful results from lip fillers and avoiding any serious complications. Here’s what to look for:
- Board-certified plastic surgeon, dermatologist, or facial plastic surgeon
- Specialized training in dermal filler injections
- viewing before and after photos of their work
- Operating in a licensed medical facility, not a spa or salon
- Evaluates face and lips prior to recommending appropriate treatment
- Uses the smallest amount of filler needed
- Carefully injects within the safe zones
- Has expertise handling any rare complications
- Provides follow up care post-treatment
Be wary of injectors offering discounts or injecting in non medical settings. The skill and experience of the provider makes all the difference in getting the best lip enhancement results.
Conclusion
When performed by a highly qualified injector, lip fillers can beautifully enhance lips and restore a more youthful appearance. However, incorrect placement in high risk zones like blood vessels or muscles can lead to lumpiness, necrosis and other complications. Careful injection technique strictly within safe anatomical areas like the body of lips and philtrum is key to maximizing results and minimizing any side effects from the procedure.