Longing for Fuller Lips? Give a Lip Filler Treatment a Try

Lip augmentation is popular, but deciding on cosmetic surgery is a big leap. Happily, there’s a way to see how you would look before you make a more permanent decision. 

Dermal fillers have numerous uses, and a common one is creating fuller lips. At Oral & Facial Surgery of Mississippi in Flowood, Mississippi, Dr. Michael Nichols often advises patients considering lip augmentation to try a lip filler treatment. 

A filler can give you a good idea of how you’d look following augmentation, but it isn’t permanent if you don’t like it. 

Dermal filler basics

Dermal fillers are injectables. Uses of dermal fillers include: 

• Add volume to sunken cheeks
• Help add symmetry to facial features
• Smooth forehead wrinkles
• Lessen the appearance of marionette lines

The dermal filler Dr. Nichols uses depends on the situation. Some common dermal fillers contain the following ingredients: 

Hyaluronic acid (HA)

Your body produces hyaluronic acid, a hydrating substance that helps provide volume. Over time, your body produces less hyaluronic acid, leading to a sunken look. 

Calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA)

Calcium hydroxylapatite is in your bones, and fillers with this ingredient can help with deep wrinkles. 

Poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA)

This acid is one component your body uses to produce collagen. Fillers containing PLLA help smooth wrinkles, offering long-lasting results. 

Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA)

This filler contains tiny balls that help provide volume beneath your skin, along with collagen. 

What to expect during a lip filler treatment

You may feel some trepidation about injectables, but our staff ensures you’re comfortable throughout the treatment. First, we give you a local anesthetic, and then Dr. Nichols places the filler precisely where it’s needed to give you a fuller upper lip, lower lip, and Cupid’s bow. 

Following the injections, we massage the area to make sure it’s smooth and looks natural. After that, we apply ice to help reduce swelling. 

You see some results right away, but the final result becomes more apparent over a few weeks. You can return to your normal activities right away. 

Lip fillers last 12-18 months, giving you time to decide if you like the look. 

More permanent options

If you decide you’d like to move ahead with a more permanent procedure, we offer fat grafting and lip implants, as well. Dr. Nichols is happy to answer any questions you may have about these procedures. He can suggest which one might work best to meet your goals. 

If you’d like to learn more about your options for getting the lips and look you want, schedule an appointment today at Oral & Facial Surgery of Mississippi.