In the beauty world, we are in the midst of an epidemic of abnormal aesthetic results, especially when it comes to lips. Lip filling, or lip augmentation, is one of the most popular aesthetic treatments out there. A beautiful smile with sensual, well-defined lips is extremely attractive – the lips are a fundamental element in the composition of the smile.
But with many different techniques, products and levels of expertise of those who perform these treatments, we are seeing a great range of results. You will most certainly have noticed people who have had too much aesthetic ‘work’ on their faces. Unfortunately, we find ourselves in a world where ‘duck’ lips are too common and a growing trend. Of course, everyone should be free to do what they want to their bodies, but I must stress that going overboard with aesthetics can have consequences. In most cases, less is more.
The Complex Lip Anatomy
The anatomy of the lips is complex and has been described as ‘wildly’ variable between individuals. Skin and several types of mucosa form an envelope filled with fat tissue and muscle where a vast network of labial arteries flow through. These arteries are delicate and if punctured or damaged , can lead to serious complications.
Skin necrosis is a potentially devastating complication caused when a needle punctures a blood vessel and you inadvertently inject a filler into it , causing tissue to die due to obstruction of blood supply. This is uncommon and a good understanding of the lip’s natural anatomy, in particular injection anatomy reduces the risk of vascular compromise associated with dermal fillers.
Natural Looking Results
Thankfully, in the last few years I’ve seen a great demand for subtlety in lip treatments, as well as an openness to understand why less is more when it comes to lips. At Laila Aesthetics, we focus on the less is more approach, using precision and artistry to create more subtle and normal looking results.
I’ve been working with my clients to give them a confident and natural new look where they don’t look obviously ‘done’. To do this, understanding and respecting the normal facial anatomy is very important.
What We Recommend
There are a series of treatments capable of altering the appearance of the lips. In most cases where there is reduced size in the lips, the application of injectable fillers is a great option.
The Nonsurgical Lip Lift (NLL), developed by Dr Steven Harris, is an injectable lip technique that is ideal for beautifying deflated pouts and is one of my favourites – I always recommend this to my patients. It focuses on natural results, injecting the lip’s tubercles (natural areas of prominence) for subtle enhancement, keeping all areas of the face well balanced, leading to a more harmonious and beautiful smile.
With this procedure, only fillers made of hyaluronic acid (HA) should be used as these are relatively safe compared to other fillers and fully reversible with hyaluronidase.
The difference in this technique is the injection of the tubercles, rather than focusing on the vermillion border of the lip which projects the lips outwards creating that duck pout look. Rather than trying to create something new and unnatural, the NLL technique respects the natural anatomy of the lips.
Does it hurt? And are there any side effects?
Topical local anaesthetic and allowing sufficient time for this to work make this a relatively painless procedure. You can expect a little swelling of the lips from the manual tissue handling or massage, however this will settle in 24 hrs. Sometimes, bruising may occur - this can be minimised with the use of Arnica gel or occasionally oral Arnica.
When will I see results? And how long do they last?
Results will be seen straight away. I often say, injecting lips is akin to creating a painting and shouldnt be rushed and sometimes need more than 1 sitting.
Who will perform your treatment?
As with any aesthetic treatment, we would always recommend seeking treatment providers who can leverage years of experience. In addition to my 25 years of experience working as an anaesthetist at the NHS, I have undergone extensive training, achieving Board Certification with the American Academy of Aesthetics Medicine’s (AAAM). This allows me to offer safe, medical-grade aesthetic treatments.
We encourage everyone to carefully research the practitioner offering them treatment and to make an informed decision once they are comfortable with their impression, their experience and their qualifications.
How much does the Nonsurgical Lip Lift treatment cost?
The price of your treatment will be dependent on the area(s) being treated, but our NLL treatments start at £250. If you book a free consultation, we can assess your individual case and create a tailored treatment plan based on your objectives.
How do I get booked in?
Get in touch with us and schedule your free online consultation with Dr. Anoob on our website, or by messaging us at drpakkar@lailaaesthetics.co.uk
We now treat clients in Kendal, Leeds and Harley Street, London.