Fillers for Lips and other Treatments: A Guide by Dr Willie Storm
Dr Willie Storm’s private practice offers professional fillers for lips and other treatments in Cape Town.
Thinking about enhancing your lips? Look no further than Dr Willie Storm! Dr Storm is a professional general practitioner and trusted family doctor who also offers cosmetic procedures such as botox and dermal fillers for lips treatments.
Fillers for Lips: The Procedure
Lip Fillers are cosmetic injections that result in the lips taking on a fuller and plumper appearance. The injections are usually composed of hyaluronic acid, though alternative options are also available. Occasionally lip botox is done to create a similar effect, though botox is not traditionally considered a dermal filler.
Botox and fillers are used in conjunction to create a youthful appearance and reduce signs of aging, for those wishing to age gracefully.
The lip filler procedure is a temporary and minimally invasive process that takes approximately a few minutes to complete. As the procedure is not permanent (it lasts around 2 years), you will need to receive future treatments to maintain your perfect pout.
After undergoing a lip filler treatment, you may experience tenderness, slight swelling, or even minor bruising, this is however completely normal. Aftercare for lip fillers is more than manageable. If you are uncertain about whether the procedure is the correct decision for you, it helps to be aware of what you may expect to experience during the aftercare process. You are however, in more than capable hands; Dr Storm is an experienced professional and only minor side effects should be expected
Fillers for Lips: Botox Vs Dermal Lip Fillers
When considering lip filler treatments, the two most popular options are Botox and dermal lip fillers. While both these treatments are effective, it is important to note the differences between them.
Botox Fillers for Lips
What is Botox? Botox is a neurotoxic protein that blocks the nerve impulses in the muscles that it is injected into. This results in the muscle becoming relaxed, thereby curbing the severity of its contractions. As the muscle cannot fully contract, the wrinkles are forced to ease and appear to dissipate. Unfortunately, as Botox works its way out of the body, its effects begin to diminish; however, the wrinkles and fine lines targeted by the procedure will still decrease permanently over time.
The results from receiving Botox injections are usually seen within three to ten days and can last 3-6 months. The commonly accepted method of administering Botox is via a thin needle that injects the serum directly into the muscles being targeted. The patient will not require any anaesthetic, and the entire process can be completed in only a few minutes. Usually, men will require a slightly higher dose of Botox than women and expect their procedure to take marginally longer.
To decrease the chances of minor bruising, patients are recommended to refrain from using any anti-inflammatory medicines or medication that contains aspirin. Patients are also advised to abstain from the consumption of alcohol for a week before their Botox appointment. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should avoid the use of Botox.
Botox Fillers for Lips
What is Botox? Botox is a neurotoxic protein that blocks the nerve impulses in the muscles that it is injected into. This results in the muscle becoming relaxed, thereby curbing the severity of its contractions. As the muscle cannot fully contract, the wrinkles are forced to ease and appear to dissipate. Unfortunately, as Botox works its way out of the body, its effects begin to diminish; however, the wrinkles and fine lines targeted by the procedure will still decrease permanently over time.
The results from receiving Botox injections are usually seen within three to ten days and can last 3-6 months. The commonly accepted method of administering Botox is via a thin needle that injects the serum directly into the muscles being targeted. The patient will not require any anaesthetic, and the entire process can be completed in only a few minutes. Usually, men will require a slightly higher dose of Botox than women and expect their procedure to take marginally longer.
To decrease the chances of minor bruising, patients are recommended to refrain from using any anti-inflammatory medicines or medication that contains aspirin. Patients are also advised to abstain from the consumption of alcohol for a week before their Botox appointment. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should avoid the use of Botox.
Dermal Fillers for Lips:
What are dermal fillers for lips? Dermal fillers for lips are available in a variety of different forms and can either be temporary or semi-permanent. Temporary fillers will usually last anywhere from three to five months while semi-permanent fillers can be expected to last for around two years. Depending on how the patient’s face begins to age and the time it will take for their body to absorb the filler, will determine the frequency of when a patient can be expected to return for another treatment.
Dermal fillers for lips may be used to correct wrinkles, furrows and plump lips to create a more youthful appearance; dermal fillers can even be used to decrease the depth of scars. If a patient experiences an allergic reaction to a filler or decides to remove the filler and alter their appearance, dermal lip fillers can be easily dissolved. There are three types of dermal fillers - autologous fat, collagen and hyaluronic acid.
Autologous Fat Fillers for Lips
Autologous fat is fat that is taken from the patient’s body and then used as dermal filler. Using autologous fat can guarantee that the patient's body will not reject the filler or cause an allergic reaction. This process, while effective, generally takes more time as the patient will first need to undergo an initial liposuction procedure.
Collagen Fillers for Lips
Collagen is a natural protein found in bones, cartilage and even teeth, is another effective dermal filler option. Collecting and using skin from a cadaver as a dermal filler is a great option if the patient needs to fill gaunt or hollow areas in their face. When considering collagen, polylactic acid is a synthetic substance that can be injected into your body as dermal lip filler to stimulate collagen growth. Polymethylmethacrylate is another synthetic substance that can be injected as a semi-permanent filler for lips and can also be used for medium to deep wrinkles and folds.
Hyaluronic Acid Fillers for Lips
Hyaluronic acid is another dermal filler for lips, and can even be used to provide pain relief for arthritis by injecting it directly into the affected joints. Calcium hydroxylapatite is a naturally occurring substance found in human bones; it is the heaviest of all the dermal lip fillers and is most effective when used to create fuller cheeks and minimise deep creases. If the patient has made the decision to use a dermal filler from a non-human base, a mandatory allergy test is required before the patient can undergo the filler procedure.
Side Effects when considering Fillers for Lips
Can patients expect to experience side effects from dermal fillers for lips? Patients can recommence normal daily activities directly after a dermal filler treatment, provided they do not rub the treated area and are vigilant in treating it with careful consideration thereafter as it begins to heal. Patients should expect skin sensitivity at the site of the filler for a couple of days. Slight swelling and minor bruising at the site of the filler is also completely normal and should subside in a few days.
Patients that use an autologous fat lip filler may experience an ‘over-filled’ appearance for a short while until the filler normalises. Finally, temporary numbness and paralysis of the facial muscles that were treated may occur, however this too is perfectly normal and will also subside as the healing process continues.
Fillers for Lips: Benefits of the Treatments
Dermal fillers for lips, botox lip lifts, and implants are all cosmetic routes that people are taking to enhance their otherwise thin lips. The simple truth is that some people are just born with thin lips, while others experience thinning as they go through the natural process of ageing. No matter the reason, these varied cosmetic procedures are significantly effective ways to add shape, structure, and even volume to ashamedly thin lips. There are several benefits to using fillers for lips.
- Swift Recovery Time: The majority of people who undergo lip filler treatments are able to resume their usual daily activities one-day post-procedure. Due to the drastic positive impact that lip fillers can have on a person’s appearance and confidence, there are substantial grounds to consider it prior to other, more permanent, and invasive cosmetic surgeries.
- Natural Fullness: Lip filler products such as Juvederm provide a more natural aesthetic because they are made of hyaluronic acid, a substance that is naturally produced by the human body. Since it's a natural substance, hyaluronic acid is less likely to cause any noticeable bruising. The filler is naturally absorbed by the body and needs to be replaced approximately every six months to maintain the desired plumpness of the lips.
- Gradual Progression: Natural lip fillers can be administered over an extended period of time to produce the optimum result. This option offers particularly great appeal to people who were born with thin lips and are unsure how they will appear with fuller lips. Over the course of several appointments, patients can modify their lips to the desired aesthetic without any discomfort that might be associated with altering the size of an implant.
- Little to No Side-Effects: When it comes to hyaluronic acid fillers, side effects and allergic reactions are an extremely unlikely occurrence. When you are deciding to undergo lip filler treatments, it is crucial for a potential patient to discuss their medication regimen and known allergies, at the initial consultation to ensure the proper lip filler is chosen. If there is any chance that a patient may be allergic to ingredients in the filler, a doctor will usually perform a test by injecting a small amount of filler into the patient’s arm.
- Enhanced Appearance: Naturally, the greatest benefit for most people who undergo lip filler treatments is the noticeable improvement it has on their physical appearance. Fuller lips can make a person feel and appear younger; this improvement to their physical appearance can also boost their self-confidence in social and professional situations.
Lip fillers and lip enhancement is one of the most popular cosmetic procedures in the modern world of today. Although the majority of cosmetic and facial plastic surgeons offer this service, it is essential for those who are considering undergoing the procedure to consult with an experienced professional like Dr Storm. While prices for the procedure may differ from one provider to the next, it is wise to select a surgeon based on patient recommendation and experience, rather than on cost alone.
Contact Dr Storm today to find out more about botox treatments
Dr. Willie Storm has been practicing medicine for 25 years in South Africa and has a well-equipped procedure room for minor procedures, as well as PC-based lung functions and stress-ECG tests.
Contact Details
Telephone: 021 557 8341
Fax: 021 557 2998
Email: accounts@wjstorm.com
13 Pentz Drive
Table View, Cape Town, 7441