As every beauty buff will already know; big pouty lips have never been so on-trend. Over the last two years, non-surgical procedures, and specifically dermal lip fillers, have increased in popularity exponentially, thanks in part to celebrities like Kylie Jenner!
Whilst over-lining your lipstick, ‘plumping’ lip gloss (and for those on a budget – the shot glass trick!) may work short-term, there is only one option for those who are serious about boosting their pout – lip fillers.
But how much do they cost, what are the risks, and who are the celebs who swear by them? Medcare’s Dr Hussain gave us the low-down on lip injections…
How much do lip filler injections cost?
In the UK, lip injections can cost anything from £215 to £1500 (yes, seriously!). Most cost around £300, depending on how much filler you want. The more you want to plump your pout, the more it’ll cost, so you better get saving if you want the Kylie Jenner look! Here in Spain, we are fortunate the prices are slightly lower, starting from around 240 euros.
Lip injections and dermal fillers – what’s the difference?
Confusing, but they are very much the same thing. Dermal fillers are the correct term and can be added to anywhere you want plumping, e.g. your cheeks, under the eyes. Lip injections mean the same thing, though are specified to the lips.
What research should I do before getting lip fillers?
Lip fillers nowadays are offered at a variety of places, however unfortunately sometimes the practitioner isn’t experienced or don’t have the correct training so it’s very important to do your research. In Spain it is law that injectables, such as Botox and Dermal Fillers must ONLY be administered by a registered, licenced and insured medical doctor. Dr Hussain suggests finding somewhere you’re happy with and has produced great results in the past, and the Medcare clinics in Benijofar and Alfaz del Pi are your obvious choice!
With Juvederm you can choose the level of fullness.
What are lip fillers made of?
Different practitioners will have different preferences when it comes to dermal fillers, but Dr Hussain uses Teosyal, which is constructed of hyaluronic acid, a substance naturally produced and broken down by the body. Teosyal also contains an added local anaesthetic, which means that after each injection the lips begin to numb, reportedly minimising the pain. This, coupled with the topical anaesthetic, makes for a much more comfortable treatment.
Dr Hussain says, ‘Most practitioners use a Collagen or Hyaluronic Acid (HA) based filler which is injected into the lip, to increase volume and size. Collagen works purely by plumping the lip whilst the hyaluronic acid fillers work by not only plumping the lip directly but also trapping water within lips for a natural, plump pout. This is one of the reasons I prefer Teosyal.’
And for those celeb-a-likes, Hyaluronic acid is the preferred product used by Kylie Jenner!
Kylie Jenner, before, during and after her lip transformation!
Lip filler injections: What’s the procedure?
Hyaluronic Acid (HA) products are the most popular type of lip injection. 0.5ml – 1ml of filler will give you a natural look, however if you want a really full-on look you can get up to 2ml of filler per session. You will be offered local anaesthetic beforehand, and then the practitioner will inject the filler in a series of small injections, working her way around the lip lines. The treatment usually takes around 15 to 30 minutes.
Are lip filler injections painful?
‘Yes, they can be because lips are sensitive’ says Dr Hussain. ‘If you do it without any anaesthetic then it’s likely to hurt. And of course, there are different pain thresholds for different patients. I have some who can have dermal fillers without any aesthetic and feel fine, although most of my patients prefer to use it. Our aesthetics nurse will apply a numbing cream to the lips before your appointment which takes 20 minutes to work.’
Many of Medcare’s staff have tried out the dermal filler procedure and were extremely happy with the consultation, procedure, aftercare and results. Dr Hussain was extremely capable and was sure to give natural results without compromising size. The Medcare ‘pouty girls’ as Dr Hussain calls them, all recommend using the anaesthetic gel and found that with this, the pain was extremely bearable, similar to small scratches.
How much filler do you need?
There is no one size fits all method and it’s best to discuss what would work best with your practitioner. Dr Hussain will assess your natural lip shape and decide if the lips’ symmetry needs evening out and if one lip might need more product than the other. ‘I believe with lip fillers that less is more, when you do too much you can get results that are less attractive.’ Dr Hussain advises.
One of the biggest things people often don’t realise with lip augmentation is that achieving the look you want won’t necessarily happen overnight. If you have very thin lips and want to achieve a very full but natural look, this can take a few sessions and therefore be more expensive. They key is building layers in stages over a period of months.
Are the results instant?
Dr Hussain states that, ‘Straight after the procedure, your lips will be slightly swollen. I advise patients not to lie on their side for a couple of days, and try not to kiss for at least a day!’
The swelling appeared quite quickly after the treatment, and sometimes bruising is noticeable the same day or the following day. The swelling should largely reduce by the second day and the bruising can be easily covered with a concealer and/or lipstick.
What do lips with fillers feel like?
After the first day, your lips feel swollen and numb, however the feeling subsides after a few days and the lips feel like, er…normal lips! You forget that you’ve even had a procedure done (that is, until you see how great you look in the mirror!)
How long do they last?
Juvederm fillers can last anything from 4 to 8 months, but exact duration varies from person to person. Factors that are said to affect the longevity of lip fillers can include your metabolic rate, how often you use things like sun beds and steam rooms and how often you go to the gym. On average most people need top ups every 4 to 6 months routinely to keep up the desired size.
Is it worth it?
The treatment with Dr Hussain takes around half an hour and costs €310 for 1 vial. Some people may require more but the average for lip filler is one. However, make sure you research your practitioner beyond price alone. Although the law in Spain states no-one other than a registered doctor can administer these injections, there are some practitioners around who are operating outside of the law. The risk of what could go wrong is just not worth the small saving sometimes made by using a non-licenced and un-insured individual.
One of Medcare’s patients said, ‘All in all, for me it really was worth it. I was very nervous about the pain, but nurse Susie ensured I had plenty of numbing cream. So much so that when I accidentally licked my lips, my tongue went numb!
Throughout the treatment, Dr Hussain was very calming, gentle and thorough. I was really impressed with the results; I feel more attractive and confident and I will definitely be having a top-up in a few months. I just love my new fuller lips!’
Don´t delay, book today!
Call 966 860 258 or email doctors@medcarespain.com
Ellie Goulding before and after
Megan Fox before and after
Michelle Keegan before and after
Linsay Lohan before and after