How much thought do you give to the technique of your lip injections? At VIDA, we are led by Medical Director Dr. Glen who personally trains and supervises all staff members to the highest of standards—and that includes expertise in the top injection techniques for fillers. Here, only MDs and RNs perform lip augmentation, and it is important to know there is no one ideal technique for all people. All lips are different, which means your injector should be customizing their technique to suit your lips (and lip goals).
Most lip fillers are composed of a synthetic form of hyaluronic acid (HA). Lip fillers can plump and smooth lips to restore or create volume. There are many techniques to do this, and the four-point injection is one of the most popular. With this approach, lips are divided into four equal areas: upper right, upper left, bottom right, and bottom left. This means there should be four entry points placed above the vermillion (pink) border for the upper and below it for the lower lips. A “fanning” technique at each entry point helps to ensure a natural spread and organic-looking results.
The Four-Point Technique: A Study
A recent study published in Acta Dermatovenerologica revealed how 50 female patients underwent lip filler appointments with this technique. In total, 45 (or 90 percent) of patients said they were extremely satisfied or satisfied with the results. There were no serious complications reported. The researchers concluded that the advantages of this technique not only included beautiful outcomes, but also a reduced risk of side effects like vascular injuries and edema.
Lip augmentation, regardless of the technique, is considered a minimally invasive procedure because it does require a needle but little to no downtime. The demand for lip injections has skyrocketed around the globe in recent years as men and women alike commit to turning back the clock and reclaiming their youth. A full pout is an inherent sign of youth and health, so adults of all ages can also create that look even if they were born with thinner lips.
Getting Lips You’ll Love
The four-point technique is commonly used, but there are other or additional methods that can also help. For example, if your goal is to also redefine the borders of the lips, injecting small amounts of HA right along the border can achieve this. The border of lips tend to “blur” as we get older, and a clear border is a sign of youth that we inherently know but don’t necessarily talk about. It is the responsibility of your injector to help you identify what kind of results you want, as there are many ways to achieve the pout you desire.
There are also lip fillers that aren’t comprised of HA. Although HA offers immediate results, which makes it quite popular, there are also lip fillers that rely on collagen induction for a slow and steady reveal. These types of fillers are preferred by those who want a subtle approach and longer-lasting results (HA fillers last 6 – 18 months on average while non-HA fillers last up to two years).
Getting Ready for Your Lip Injections
You can expect lips to be a bit swollen for up to one week after injections, but most clients still feel confident going about their daily tasks during this stage. In rare cases, light bruising can also occur. If you are thinking about lip fillers for the first time and aren’t sure how your body will react, it’s a good idea to get fillers at least two weeks before any major event. This will allow time for the lips to “settle.”
There are also many HA fillers to choose from, including a variety within the same makers. All HA fillers are created a little differently in order to achieve various results. Sometimes mixing and matching fillers is actually the best way to get the outcome you want (a technique that Kylie Jenner famously employs). We’ll work with you to determine what you want your lips to look like and create a treatment plan.
If you are ready to improve your pout, schedule a consultation or appointment for lip fillers today. Call VIDA directly, or for the quickest response complete the online contact form now.
