Lip augmentation using dermal fillers has gained immense popularity as a non-surgical way to enhance thin lips, add volume, and outline shape. While many achieve their desired results, there are common injection technique mistakes that can lead to complications and unsatisfactory outcomes. Understanding these mistakes and how to avoid them is vital for both healthcare professionals and patients seeking a safe and effective lip filler treatment. In this blog post, we’ll explore common mistakes made during lip filler injections and guide you on how to avoid them.
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Lip augmentation is a cosmetic procedure enhancing the appearance of the lips: volume, shape, or overall symmetry. This procedure is often sought after by individuals who desire fuller, plumper mouths, or wish to address age-related volume loss in the lips.
There are various methods of lip volumizing, with one of the most common dermal fillers usage. Lip fillers, typically composed of hyaluronic acid or other biocompatible materials, are injected into the lips to add volume and shape.
The lip filler technique is a specific method or approach used by aesthetic practitioners to inject dermal fillers into the lips. The goal is to enhance the mouth’s shape, volume, and symmetry while maintaining a natural appearance that complements the patient’s lips, skin, and facial anatomy. These techniques require a thorough understanding of facial structures, proper training, and precise execution to achieve optimal results. The skilled practitioner must know how to react when fillers go wrong.
6 lip filler techniques:
#1. Linear threading involves injecting the filler in a straight line along the border or body of the lips. It is an ideal option for adding volume and defining the lip contours. This lip injection technique provides smooth and even distribution of the injectable treatments.
#2. The tenting technique is vertical injections made perpendicular to the lip line, often focusing on the vermilion border. Many injectors use it to enhance the vertical height of the lips. It is suitable for patients with thin lips. This type of dermal filler injection creates a more pronounced and defined lip shape.
#3. The Russian lip technique uses small, precise injections to lift the upper lip and shape the lower lip. It is a suitable option for achieving a more pronounced cupids bow and fuller lips. These cosmetic procedures produce a distinctive and structured look without excessive volume.
#4. The microdroplet technique involves injecting small amounts of lip fillers in multiple areas of the lips. It creates subtle enhancements and adds fine details. These cosmetic injections reduce the risk of using too much filler and allow a gradual volume build-up.
#5. The cross-hatching technique is injected in a grid-like pattern to create a mesh within the lips. This technique provides uniform volume and smoothness across the lips. It ensures even distribution and reduces the risk of lump formation.
#6.The pillar technique: vertical columns of dermal filler are injected into the lips, usually from the vermilion border towards the wet-dry line. Cosmetic injectors use it to improve the natural structure and support of the lips. The pillar technique of lip injections provides natural-looking results, maintaining the lips’ structural integrity.
Lip filler injection techniques are diverse and require a skilled injector to execute them correctly.
Lip fillers, commonly made of hyaluronic acid, offer a non-surgical solution to enhance the upper lip and bottom lip. They are the preferred choice of individuals who don’t want to proceed with cosmetic surgery.
While lip filler injection can yield beautiful results when performed correctly, several mistakes can lead to undesirable results and complications.
Over-filling the lips is perhaps one of the most common mistakes in lip filler injections. This occurs when the injector adds too much filler, resulting in an exaggerated or unnatural appearance. Patients may describe their lips as looking “pouty” or “over plump”, resembling a duck-like appearance.
Over-injecting dermal fillers causes discomfort and difficulty with normal lip function — speaking and eating. Additionally, they are more prone to complications such as lumps, nodules, and vascular occlusion.
Injecting dermal filler at an incorrect depth within the tissues can lead to various complications, ranging from vascular occlusions to visible lumps or irregularities in the treated area. Injecting filler too deeply can inadvertently place it within a blood vessel, potentially causing tissue necrosis (death) and other serious filler complications. Conversely, shooting dermal filler too superficially can result in visible lumps or irregularities under the skin.
Applying filler too superficially or too deeply into the tissue can increase the likelihood of filler migration. Shallow injections may cause the filler to dissipate or spread more easily, while deep injections can displace the filler from its intended location.
Natural facial expressions, such as smiling, talking, or chewing, can exert pressure on the injected filler and contribute to its movement within the tissue.
Injecting filler into the wrong location is a critical mistake. This error occurs when the filler substance is deposited into an unintended facial area, resulting in aesthetic irregularities, asymmetry, and potential complications for the patient.
Several factors that provoke lip injections of dermal filler to go wrong:
The mistakes of injection techniques provoke lip filler disasters: diverse complications (vascular occlusions, facial disfigurement, or asymmetry) and adverse reactions (unnecessary bruising, swelling, allergic reactions, or infections). Thus, patients will have a dissatisfactory experience with lip filler treatment.
The dermal filler application requires precision and expertise, especially in the sensitive and complex mouth area. Nobody wants to have unhappy patients and unpleasant outcomes, so let’s explore approaches to avoiding lip filler disasters:
Impeccable hygiene standards are crucial in both clinic rooms and at home to prevent complications and ensure the best outcomes for lip filler procedures. The clinic room must be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected regularly. Practitioners should wash their hands and wear sterile gloves during the treatment. Patients should avoid touching lips unnecessarily to reduce the risk of introducing bacteria to the treated area. Hands should be washed thoroughly before applying any aftercare products or touching the lip area.
Continuous and consistent education helps to stay updated with the latest techniques and safety practices, reducing the risk of side effects and complications. It improves skills, leading to better, more natural results. Ultimately, ongoing learning ensures high standards and patient safety in cosmetic procedures.
Lip injections require knowledge of facial anatomy, sufficient training in various injection techniques, and careful patient assessment. The practitioner can achieve natural-looking results by starting slowly, using high-quality lip fillers, and choosing conservative injection methods. Always prioritize ongoing education and adherence to safety protocols to ensure the best treatment for your patients.