I Like Big Lips and I Cannot Lie
When it comes to Beauty (especially cosmetic procedures), everyone wants to know who got what, how much it hurt, how much it costs, etc. but often you will find people are hesitant to talk about it or share their experiences with curious minds. I’m not 100% sure why that is. Maybe we are afraid of being judged? Maybe we fear people will think we are less “pretty” if they know we have had some work done? Either way, we can’t live for other peoples approval and the older I get the less I care. I like to share my experiences with you guys because I almost feel like I would be a fraud if I didn’t. I created this platform to help women whether it be answer questions for them or offer comfort and in this instance, have a judgement free place to talk about all the crap we as women consider doing to ourselves. It’s just the nature of the beast and any woman who claims she would NEVER consider getting something done is lying. Period.
Based on the title of this post, you already know we are going to be talking about lips today! If you can’t already tell, I LOVE a big ‘ole juicy lip. In my life time I have had them done more times than I can count and by about 5-7 injectors or so. (I’m not sure whether to be embarrassed by that last statement or not…oh well.) With such “experience” if you will, I have figured out what I like and what I don’t like and all about the different types of injections that are commonly used on lips in this present time. DISCLAIMER: I am by no means a medical professional so anything I have to say is just my personal opinion based on my own experiences.
So what the hell are lip fillers made with and which ones are safe to use?
Lip fillers are generally made up of a substance that is very similar to Hyaluronic Acid which is something our own bodies produce (which makes it much safer than let’s say Collagen injections. Those are a BIG NO NO!) Something else that is amazing about this is your injector can easily shape your lips using products with Hyaluronic Acid to best achieve the look you’re going for.
What are some different Lip Injection options?
Juvederm: This is probably my favorite. Because it is made up of a Hyaluronic Acid substance, it is extremely safe and is FDA approved. The 2 Juvederm products I have worked with for my lips are Juvederm Ultra XC and Juvederm Volbella. Juvederm Ultra XC helps you to achieve a soft and pouty plump lip by adding volume and generally lasts anywhere from 9 months to a year. Juvederm Volbella is a much “lighter” filler I guess you could say and is better for achieving a more subtle pouty look. It also should last an ample amount of time. (I have been using Juvederm Ultra XC more recently.)
Restylane: I have had this type of injection maybe twice. It’s also great for achieving a subtle pouty look and maintains it shape and can give your lip a little lift. This product is also FDA approved and made up of a Hyaluronic Acid like substance.
Techniques:
There are a TON of different techniques your injector can use and they will select one that they think will best suit your needs. Over the years, one thing I learned was you could also get lip filler injected not only directly into your lips but also the surrounding areas. Funny story, back when I first started getting them, I wanted to hide it from my husband because I knew he would get mad (clearly that ship has sailed. LOL) so I would ask my injector at the time to do what she could right on the outside of my lips. Now I’m not saying this will happen to everyone but in my personal experience, this is how I looked like a cross between Bart Simpson and the Joker and I wouldn’t reccomend it. #truestory Again, this was just my personal experience and more than likely doesn’t apply to everyone. (NOTE: this was not done with my current injector.)
Another technique I have received was having fillers injected directly into my wet/dry line. Although this also can be a popular technique, for me…they made my lips look more like balloons. Ya know, the long ones you can get at a carnival BEFORE they make a balloon animal? Yup, I’ve been that girl too (enter face in palm). Not only that but when I have had them injected in this place is when I experience the most swelling, bruising and sometimes lumps. I can’t even begin to tell you how crazy I looked. Lastly, from what I have been told, when it is injected into the wet/dry line it can also sometimes migrate into the inside of your lip / a.k.a. more of the wet side of the wet/dry line. (NOTE: this also was not performed by my current injector.)
Now for my favorite technique which is what I have been getting for awhile now is what I like to call “Microdroplets”. Not quite sure if that is an actual term or not but I swear I heard Dr. Simon Ourian talk about it one time and his explanation of this technique made total sense so it stuck with me I guess. So the way this technique works (from what I understand as a patient) is instead of only being pricked a few times where they just shove a lot of product in there at once, you are pricked more often but with each prick they are only injecting a very small amount. I like this technique because although they are adding volume, I am not losing my mouths natural shape therefore it’s not changing my whole face. Another GREAT thing about this technique in my experience is I swell and bruise a lot less.
Below you can see my most recent Before and After photos. These were taken within minutes of receiving half of a syringe of Juvederm Ultra XC in my lips at Aesthetic Specialty Centre. Obviously they were slightly swollen and red here but not bad at all.
How much does it cost?
Lip fillers can cost anywhere from $500-$2,000. I think depending on what city you live plays a huge factor in this.
Fun facts:
One of the best things about filler is that it is NOT permanent and if you don’t like your results, you can have them dissolved. More than likely though you will love it.
Let’s say you are not ready to commit to a whole syringe, in most cases your injector can just inject some of it and hold onto it for you so you can come back for touch ups at a later date at no additional charge.
So you have decided you want to get lip fillers, now what?
First and foremost, find an injector who specializes in lips and really knows what they’re doing. Although plastic surgeons are incredibly amazing and talented individuals, they might not necessarily always be the best option for you (although many are incredibly talented at this too). Usually when you visit any Med Spa, Plastic Surgery or Dermatology office, there is an RN or PA on staff who is certified in injectables who has been specifically trained in this. It’s so much more than just a medical procedure. It’s an art. (Trust me on this)
Once you have found an injector, if you love them…stick with them as long as you can. It’s one thing to switch your botox injector but whenever someone is injecting any form of volume into your face, you don’t want to switch around a lot. It will start to look cray. (Another thing you should trust me on).
Who to see if you’re in Atlanta:
Atlanta being a huge city, there are a TON of incredible injectors here both inside and outside of the Perimeter. I have been seeing Missy from Aesthetic Specialty Centre in Roswell for quite some time and I absolutely love and adore her. She is incredibly detailed and listens to exactly what look I’m wanting to achieve without allowing me to go overboard…which I easily can do. LOL. She has definitely mastered the whole “microdroplet” theory on me and I very rarely have much bruising or swelling if any at all. They frequently post exciting info on their Instagram so make sure to check them out their also!
Another practice I am a huge fan of is Luxe MedSpa which is adjoined with Buckhead Plastic Surgery. I see them now for my Jeuveau (aka the new “Botox”/Newtox) which is another beauty topic I will be covering later this week. I absolutely love their staff and injectors and are fantastic as well. You can also check them out on their Instagram.
Regardless of who you select to be your injector, just know it is perfectly normal to have someone you prefer for different things. Every injector has their very own technique and how they like to do things.
Ok, so I know this is kind of a lot of information crammed into one post but I didn’t want to start rambling as I could go on about this kind of stuff all day. HAHA! Do you have any questions that I didn’t cover? Please feel free to email me or reach out and I will do my very best to help answer any and all of them. Sometimes you just need a girlfriend to talk to about this kind of stuff and I’m here for it girl! Until next time…