Lip filler in Medellín

Lip filler, lip injections or lip augmentation: that's how people usually search for this treatment. In Spanish, it's labios con ácido hialurónico. It's a hyaluronic acid gel injected into the lip to add volume, define its shape or soften fine lines. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), it's the most popular type of lip filler, and because it attracts moisture, it makes the lips look fuller. It isn't the same as lip blushing, which is a cosmetic lip tattoo. For other areas of the face, see dermal fillers.

Every mouth needs something different: more volume, a more defined outline or softer fine lines. According to the patient information for an FDA-approved lip filler, the amount used depends on how full your lips are and on your goals. An ASPS article warns that overfilling can change the shape of your mouth and take away its natural movement when you smile or talk. That's why your aesthetic physician chooses the product and the amount at your in-person consultation. It's a single session of 30 to 60 minutes.

According to the FDA, before treatment you should tell your doctor if:

• Your skin is inflamed or infected: treatment is postponed.
• You have a bleeding disorder or severe allergies.
• You're allergic to lidocaine or other local anesthetics.
• You get cold sores (oral herpes): the patient information for the approved lip filler warns that the injection may trigger an outbreak.

Its safety during pregnancy or breastfeeding isn't known. And if your lips are very thin, the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) advises against aiming for a dramatic change.

Every procedure has risks. The FDA, the ASPS and the patient information for an approved lip filler list these, among others:

• Bruising, swelling, redness, pain or itching.
• Bumps or nodules, even months later.
• Asymmetry, or a correction that falls short or goes too far.
• The gel moving out of the treated area, known as “filler migration.”
• Infection or an allergic reaction.
• Rarely, filler getting into a blood vessel and causing skin loss, blindness or a stroke.

If you have unusual pain, changes in your vision, or skin that looks white, gray or bluish, get medical care right away.

Tell your doctor about your medications and any lip filler you've had before. If you take blood thinners, don't stop them on your own: the FDA-approved patient information says to talk first with your prescribing doctor. Ask for the product name and check its registration with INVIMA, Colombia's health products regulator, in its online registry (in Spanish). Afterward, you may have mild swelling for 2 to 5 days. Don't touch the area unless told to. Ask when you can resume strenuous exercise, sun, saunas or steam rooms and, as the ASPS advises, don't kiss for 24 hours.

Lip filler adds volume, defines and hydrates. If your concern is something else, another option may suit you better:

• Volume in under-eye hollows, folds, cheekbones, chin or jawline, or shaping the nose: hyaluronic acid filler in other areas.
• Expression lines on the forehead, between the brows or at the corners of the eyes: botulinum toxin.
• Dull or dehydrated facial skin: skin boosters.
• Loss of firmness in the face: collagen biostimulators.

Your specialist decides what makes sense for you at your in-person consultation.