One of the most popular treatments right now is lip filler. It seems like every time you turn around, you’re greeted with a voluminous pair of lips. It also seems like we’re seeing more and more over-filled lips, which can turn someone off from getting their perfect pout.
Some people may like the look of over-filled lips, but at FAC we always strive for natural enhancements that accentuate and balance your overall appearance.
In this article, we’re going to break down:
- The ideal proportions for lips according to the golden ratio
- Why lip filler isn’t a one-size-fits-all treatment
- Everything you need to know about lip injections
- How to achieve your ideal lips.
The Golden Ratio for Lips
The golden ratio represents our perception of attractiveness and is approximately 1.6. The width of the mouth should be roughly 1.6 times the width of the bottom of the nose. When we’re looking at lips from the front view, the ideal ratio according to the golden rule is 1:1.6. Meaning, the bottom lip is slightly larger than the top lip.
When looking at the side profile of lips, the top lip should extend no more than 3.5 mm and the bottom lip shouldn’t extend more than 2.2 mm. If the upper lip extends past 3.5 mm and noticeably protrudes more than the bottom lip, this is when the appearance starts to look unnatural and “duck-ish.”
It’s not always about more volume. Lip injections can balance asymmetries and make your lips more aesthetically pleasing without making them look unnatural.
Lip Fillers Aren’t a One-Size-Fits-All Treatment
Some people naturally have a larger upper lip. In this case, an injector may only need to inject the lower lip to achieve the 1:1.6 ratio.
Maybe the height of left side of your upper lip is slightly larger than the right side, or there’s an indentation in your bottom lip that needs attention. Filler can address both these issues while also making the lips appear more hydrated.
A sign of youthfulness is hydrated, plump lips. If you want to bring youth back into your appearance, lip filler can be used to fill in fine lines and bring life to a deflated pout. Additionally, as we age the top lip can begin to droop and fold under. A non-surgical fix to this issue is injecting lip filler to the top lip to restore height and volume.
What to Know About Lip Injections
Just as Rome wasn’t built in a day, neither was a beautiful pair of lips. Depending on your goals, it may take several sessions to get the lips of your dreams. We won’t inject more than a 1.0 mL syringe at a time into your lips. Any more than a syringe, and you can risk damaging your lips and overfilling. Slow and steady wins the race with lip filler.
Swelling
Immediately after your lip filler appointment, your lips are going to be swollen. Some people may be shocked and feel like their lips are too big. Don’t worry. Most of that volume is swelling. It takes about 2 weeks for the filler to settle and your new lips to make their appearance.
Bruising
You’ll have some bruising at the injection sites, and the severity can range from person to person. The bruising and swelling lasts for about 5-7 days, and we always recommend snagging a tube of Alastin’s iNhance post-injection serum. It has a soothing, cooling applicator tip that feels great and the ChromaFADE technology enhances the appearance of the skin following injections. In other words, it accelerates the healing of bruising and swelling.
Temporary Lumps and Bumps
It’s also not uncommon for your lips to feel bumpy in the two weeks following your injection. This is completely normal. Like we said earlier, it takes time for the filler to settle and smooth out. Do not try and massage these lumps and bumps out, it can affect your results.
After two weeks, the swelling and lumps have subsided, and your lip filler has properly settled. Some patients may feel like all the filler is gone. But we promise it’s not gone. You’ve just gotten used to the swelling over the last two weeks.
Longevity
Lip filler lasts anywhere from 6-12 months depending on a person’s age and metabolism. Younger patients tend to see their lip filler disappear quicker than older patients because their body metabolizes the product faster. This doesn’t mean that the product is completely gone from the body. There are cases where the filler will migrate above the lip, but that’s why filler maintenance is so important.
Maintenance
Just like any cosmetic procedure or skin care routine, you have to be consistent and maintain your filler results. You’ll definitely want to schedule a follow-up with your injector two weeks post-injection to assess your results and discuss whether more filler is needed to reach your goals.
But you’ll also want to come back and see your injector when your filler starts to fade at the 6-9-month mark. Your injector will decide whether more filler is necessary to maintain your results.
Reversing Lip Filler
In cases where someone has had multiple syringes of lip filler over the course of a few years, your injector may need to inject a solution that dissolves the filler. This allows you to start from a clean slate and maintain the health of your lips.
Injecting more filler over filler that has migrated over the years can cause an undesirable shape that starts to look like a “sausage lip” that loses the beautiful cupids bow and vermillion border (the pink line that outlines your lips).
Achieving Your Ideal Lips
With the golden ratio considered, enhancing your lips naturally should take into account your anatomy and your goals. Hyaluronic acid fillers are the most common way to achieve a balanced, enhanced lip. Additionally, you’ll want to see a skilled injector who administers the correct amount of filler into your lip and balances your appearance as a whole.
The providers at Facial Aesthetic Concepts have extensive experience with filler and achieving natural results that suit you best. Whether you’re looking to balance out asymmetries, add volume, or restore a youthful glow, FAC can help.
Book a consultation today to discuss your options and achieve the lips of your dreams.
All about ME in '23
Call Now For Your FREE Consultation.
(949) 313 2600
Lip filler is my favorite procedure to perform. It’s artistry with a needle. It is important to remember, not everyone will have the ideal lip shape and size to correct with filler. Patient selection is important as well as communicating, with the patient, about their aesthetic goals and expectations.
Camille Colapinto RN
I just recently had a patient who started her “injectable journey” with me. The patient was the one truly terrified to do anything to her face thinking that something wrong would happen and it will leave her looking not herself. We started with Botox to give her conservative movement elimination, relaxation of mild to moderate lines and wrinkles, aiming for overall lifted, rested, rejuvenated look. . A week after her treatment we received the following voicemail:
“Dasha changed my life, I’ve never thought I could look so good after Botox tx”.
She came in a week later to explore other options and thanked me for being so patient and informative. She felt much more at ease. Stated that finally she felt good about herself, and her self-esteem was at a whole different level.
Dasha Panchenko RN
Testimonials
Thank you!, Thank you!, Thank you!
"You have all been so kind and supportive, making this "journey" so positive.
I can't tell you how much I appreciate how much you cared for me."
My mom and I wanted to say thank you!
"My mom and I wanted to say thank you for your kindness and generosity. We feel very blessed to have found you.
Thank you for always greeting us with a smile, listening to our concerns and making every effort to ease them. You always make us feel special and you always show that you really care for all your patients."
You are brilliant!
"I was very much impressed with how simple you made the procedure appear
yet you achieved such natural results.
It was quite evident how professional, knowledgeable, and competent you (and your Staff) are.
I can't thank you enough."
All about ME in '23
Call Now For Your FREE Consultation.
(949) 313 2600
A Message from Dr. Gangnes
"Make the experience great, the outcome remarkable and the expectation will be surpassed" - Richard Gangnes M.D.
Dr. Gangnes specializes exclusively in facial cosmetic surgery and has over 30 years experience in this dynamic, evolving area of medical art and science. He is currently clinical professor at the University of California Irvine and is actively involved in the training of residents and fellows the art and science of facial plastic surgery.
Testimonials
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
"You have all been so kind and supportive, making this "journey so positive. Dr. Gangnes you are such a gentle man and truly an artist. I can't tell you how much I appreciate how much you cared for me,"
You are brilliant!
"I was so very much impressed with how simple you made the procedure appear yet you achieved such natural results.
It was quite evident how professional, knowledgeable, and competent you (and your staff) are.
I can't thank you enough. "
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