Hyaluronic acid injections, commonly known as “fillers,” are a popular way to increase lip volume. Injectable filler is relatively quick to perform, has minimal downtime, and provides immediate results.
Not all patients will benefit from lip filler, especially patients with a long upper lip. In those cases, a surgical lip lift is the only option for lip enhancement.
A lip lift strategically removes skin from right beneath the nose. The lifted red lip becomes more exposed. This adds height to the red lip and the appearance of volume. The “duck lip” look is avoided. And best of all, the results are permanent.
After the lip lift, the patient may be a better candidate for lip filler. The filler can add tasteful volume to the heightened lip, creating the perfect lips.
Bruising is common after surgery and filler injections. It usually peaks around 48 hours after intervention and then slowly resolves over 10 days. While most patients expect bruising after surgery, it is less accepted by patients after minimally invasive treatments such as filler.
Bruising from filler can be minimized by injecting with a cannula instead of a needle. Cannulas have blunt ends (unlike a needle which is sharp) and cause less trauma during the injection. Because there is less trauma, there is usually minimal, if any, bruising. However, some areas are likely to bruise because of anatomical reasons, even with the cannula technique.
At the Appearance Center, bruising can be promptly treated with VBeam. Our V-beam pulsed dye laser has been extremely effective at eliminating early bruising. It is typically performed 24-48 hours after initial treatment (ie filler or surgery), and significantly reduces the bruise within 24 hours. In the event of significant bruising, we are pleased to offer complimentary v-beam treatment. As a result, patients can enjoy their results, bruise-free, as quickly as possible.
Fun fact: Whether the bruise is from a procedure or just an accidental trauma, the v-beam can speed up the recovery and get you looking good to go!
