Your Ultimate Guide to Lip Fillers: Benefits, Procedure, and Care

We are committed to helping patients achieve their cosmetic goals. Here’s a comprehensive guide to preparing for a lip filler procedure:

1. Research and Consultation:

• Become familiar with the process, be aware of what to anticipate both during and after, including any potential side effects or risks.
• Choose a trustworthy, board-certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon who specializes in lip fillers and schedule a consultation.
• During the consultation, discuss your expectations, desired results, and any concerns you may have.

2. Disclose Medical History:

• Giving your provider access to your complete medical history is crucial. This includes any allergies, medications, or health conditions you have.
• This information allows the provider to determine the best type of filler for you and identify potential risks.

3. Pre-Procedure Instructions:

• Refrain from taking aspirin, ibuprofen, and vitamin E supplements, as they thin the blood in the weeks leading up to the procedure.
• Limit your alcohol intake and avoid smoking for a week before the treatment. These substances can thin your blood and delay healing.
• Stop using exfoliating products on your lips two days before the procedure to avoid increased skin sensitivity.

4. During the Procedure Day:

• To avoid infection, wear no makeup when you arrive at the clinic.
• Inform the doctor if you have any cold sores, herpes, or other active infections around the mouth.
• To reduce discomfort during the injection, a topical anesthetic may be applied.

5. Procedural Considerations:

• Your doctor will delicately inject the filler into the designated areas of your lips, shaping them according to your desired outcome.
• Generally, the process takes 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the technique and quantity of filler utilized.

6. Post-Procedure Care:

• Apply ice packs or cold compresses to minimize swelling for the first 24-48 hours.
• Avoid strenuous activity or excessive lip movement for several days.
• To encourage recovery, keep your lips hydrated and clean.
• Follow any specific post-procedure instructions provided by your doctor, such as avoiding certain foods or drinks.

7. Expectations and Follow-Up:

• A few days may pass before the results become clearly apparent.
• Some swelling or tenderness is common and will gradually subside within a week.
• Schedule a follow-up appointment with the specialist to discuss any concerns and evaluate the results.

Our mission is to provide the latest advancements in aesthetic medicine, and that includes lip fillers. Our practice offers a variety of lip fillers to accentuate your inherent beauty and give you more self-assurance.

Lip fillers are injectable substances we use to enhance the volume and shape of your lips. There are many different options available, including the most common types made from hyaluronic acid, a natural substance that enhances lip volume.

There are two main types of hyaluronic acid lip fillers:

• Monophasic: This type of filler consists of a single, uniform molecule size, providing a smooth, even result. Examples of these are Juvederm Ultra XC or Ultra Plus XC, which provide more volume, and Juvederm Volbella XC, which offers a subtler result.
• Biphasic: These fillers contain a blend of small and large molecule sizes, perfect for surface enhancement and deeper volume augmentation. An example of this is Restylane Silk, designed to offer precise lip shaping and line control for silkier, smoother lips.

Our selection process for the right lip filler depends on several factors, including your desired results, individual preferences, and Dr. Cheree Dunbar’s professional recommendation. We’ll consider your natural lip shape and size, desired longevity of results, allergy history, and the compatibility of the filler with your body’s natural substances.

At Northern California Wellness, we believe in setting clear expectations for our patients. Following a procedure, it is common to observe immediate fullness in the lips, which may be accompanied by some swelling. Over the first week, this swelling will typically reduce, revealing more accurate results from the treatment.

The full effects of the fillers can take up to two weeks to become completely visible. Numerous factors, including the type and amount of filler utilized, can affect this timeline. Collagen fillers typically take longer to fully manifest their effects than hyaluronic acid fillers, such as Juvederm and Restylane, which our practice frequently uses. 

We will work closely with you to provide the most accurate timeline based on your specific situation and treatment plan. Additionally, we will offer advice on how to take care of your lips after the treatment, including avoiding strenuous activity for 24-48 hours, icing your lips to reduce swelling, and, encouraging the filler to be evenly distributed, softly massaging your lips.

We believe in continuous care and encourage patients to attend follow-up appointments for optimal results. If, after two weeks, the expected outcomes are not apparent, we are more than willing to consult with you to talk about possible modifications or substitute therapies.

The most commonly used filler in our practice for lip augmentation is hyaluronic acid fillers, which gradually break down over time due to natural enzymatic activity. On average, these fillers last between six to twelve months. However, depending on each person’s unique metabolic rate, the precise amount of time may differ. We’ve seen that some of our patients require touch-ups more frequently, as their fillers seem to disappear more quickly, typically between three to six months.

We consider a variety of factors to predict the longevity of lip fillers for our patients. These include the specific type of hyaluronic acid filler used, as different fillers have varying degrees of cross-linking that influence their firmness and durability. Also, our precise injection techniques and optimal positioning might affect the filler’s distribution and durability.

If you’re considering lip fillers for the first time, we recommend scheduling a follow-up appointment within two weeks of your initial injection. This allows us to check the results and decide if more filler is needed to achieve the desired look. Once you’re satisfied with the results, we can start planning regular touch-up appointments based on your individual needs.

At Northern California Wellness, we believe that regular touch-ups are crucial for maintaining the desired effect and preventing the filler from becoming uneven or migrating. This ensures your lips always look natural and youthful. Remember that our experienced team is at your service to offer tailored advice based on your particular situation and aesthetic objectives. Our goal is to make sure you feel and look your best at all times. For more information, contact us today to book an appointment, or visit our clinic conveniently located at 877 Embarcadero Dr Suite 2, El Dorado Hills, CA 95762. We serve El Dorado Hills CA, Folsom CA, Clarksville CA, Cameron Park CA, Granite Bay CA, Alder Creek CA, and Orangevale CA.