Is it painful to enlarge lips and how to remove the negative effect?

In 2020, many still dream of lip enhancement. And it’s not always a matter of volume: some may not be satisfied with their own shape, while others want to get rid of asymmetry or excessive dryness. There are plenty of people who want to make their lips a little fuller, but at the same time maintain naturalness. We asked cosmetologist Arina Kireeva in detail about trends, new techniques and drugs.

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When you type in the search for the treasured phrase “how to enlarge lips,” you immediately see the continuation “at home.” Many girls try to make their lips fuller by any means - starting with special makeup techniques and ending with trips to budget “home” cosmetologists, which is not always safe. It is best to go to the clinic. “I have always belonged to the category of doctors who do only natural lips. Even when there was a trend for bow lips and many asked for voluminous, elaborate shapes, I had to refuse my patients. But now for many years they haven’t come to me for mega-volume lips, which I would never have done for myself,” shares Arina Kireeva, a cosmetologist.

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Does lip augmentation hurt?

There are different injections, of different composition and class. Silicone and Botox are not pumped into the lips. It is dangerous to use silicone for lip augmentation because each body has a different reaction to it. There is no 100% chance that the expected effect will occur.

Botox is designed to paralyze the labial nerve. This also doesn’t quite apply to lips. Since the body contains hyaluronic acid, it is most often used for lip augmentation.

Of course, as with any injection, lip augmentation with hyaluronic acid is painful. But it is painful not from the injection itself, but from the method of application. Therefore, to the question of whether lip augmentation is painful, the answer is clear: there is discomfort.

There is an undeniable advantage of using hyaluronic acid for lip augmentation. The idea is that if you don’t like the effect, you can return everything to its original form. This is done by injecting a special drug into the lips that absorbs hyaluronic acid. This process lasts about a month. But after this there are no traces of the procedure left.

As with any cosmetic procedure, lip augmentation with hyaluronic acid has its own contraindications:

1. If you have a disease of the endocrine system, diabetes, problems with the thyroid gland. In this case, you must first consult with your doctor.
2. It is also not recommended to do this procedure during pregnancy and lactation.
3. The beginning of the menstrual cycle is also not the best time for the procedure. This is due to the fact that blood clotting changes during this period. Therefore, the effect may be unpredictable.
4. Infections in the mouth and around the lips.
5. Any infectious diseases.
6. Taking medications to thin the blood.

Lip augmentation with hyaluronic acid is a painful procedure. Therefore, it is better to follow all the rules and recommendations. This is necessary so as not to subject yourself to repeated painful lip augmentation.

Procedure technology

Each of the above reasons for the procedure requires different approaches to a series of injections. Your cosmetologist will tell you more about this. In general, however, there are two ways to administer hyaluronic acid that we will look at.

Tunnel input method

With this method, the syringe needle is completely inserted under the skin. The distribution of hyaluronate is carried out along the entire length of the lip, while gradually removing the needle and applying pressure to the piston.

Superficial intradermal injections

A series of small subcutaneous injections of the gel with a thin needle are made directly into the areas that need correction.

Most often, these methods are combined, and the practitioner must master both. The wizard's algorithm looks like this:

1. cleansing the skin of impurities and cosmetic residues;
2. antiseptic treatment
3. pain relief with special medications – if necessary or if the patient is hypersensitive. Anesthesia is usually provided locally, using sprays or lotions. Less commonly used is hyaluronic acid with the addition of an anesthetic;
4. administration of the drug using one or two of the above methods;

5. applying an antiseptic balm to the skin - this soothes the skin and prevents swelling and inflammation;

Observation after the procedure is usually not required if everything is done correctly.

It is not recommended to inject the entire portion of hyaluronic acid at once. For the best effect, a good master will distribute the injections over one to two weeks. This is done because the maximum effect of hyaluronate is achieved within twelve to fourteen days; During this time, the drug accumulates just the right amount of water for fuller lips. Although, the increase in volume becomes noticeable immediately after the injections.

Why does pain occur?

Enlarging lips with hyaluronic acid is painful because it occurs by puncturing the upper layer of skin around the labial muscles with a needle. The drug is administered using a syringe. Since there are a lot of nerve endings on the face, and they are especially sensitive, the procedure becomes painful. It sounds terrible, of course, but the reason for the discomfort during the procedure is clear. The effect of such painful lip augmentation lasts from 6-12 months.

Indications for use

The most important thing in lip augmentation is not to do any harm, so that instead of enjoying the sight of prettier full lips, you don’t end up with an ugly “duck”. But if you are naturally the owner of thin lips - strings, the effect of the procedure will clearly please you. In addition to adding fullness, there are many indications for injections. Let's list the main ones:

• A noticeable difference in thickness - the lower lip is larger than the upper or vice versa;

• Ugly mouth shape;
• Asymmetrical smile;
• Signs of aging lips - dryness, wrinkles, loss of color;
• Fuzzy mouth contour or uneven pigmentation;
• Drooping corners of the lips, which gives the face a tired and gloomy appearance;
• Scars from mechanical damage - for example, post-operative scars.

Is it possible to somehow avoid pain during lip augmentation?

Since lip augmentation is a painful procedure, a special anesthetic is applied to the face before the session. After it begins to act, the doctor injects a filler based on hyaluronic acid. And sensitivity after pain relief depends on the individual characteristics of the body.

Some will only feel a slight tingling sensation, while others will feel discomfort. In some individual cases, severe pain may even occur. Enlarging lips with hyaluronic acid is painful, which is why you should not refuse pain relief.

Which to choose

Aesthetic cosmetology offers women a wide range of lip enhancement products. All their variety can be divided into two main groups - absorbable and non-absorbable.

Absorbable fillers contain components natural to the human body. In this regard, the risk of side effects after injection is minimal. But not everything is so perfect - the result lasts no more than a couple of years, so the procedure will have to be repeated periodically.

But whether it’s worth choosing permanent lip makeup and why cosmetologists prescribe it, this article will help you understand.

The following are used as absorbable fillers:

• Hyaluronic acid - a substance involved in the body’s metabolism and plays an important role in water metabolism. In addition to volume, this acid also has a beneficial effect on the softness and moisture of the skin. Popular drugs based on it: Juvederm, Restylane, Princess, Sofiderm.

  
  This is what Juvederm hyaluronic acid looks like

• Collagen - a protein that is responsible for the strength and elasticity of skin tissue. Well-known preparations with collagen: Collost, Ziderm, Ellans.

  
  Injection agent collagen Collost

Non-absorbable fillers are mostly synthetic preparations based on silicone, acrylic and similar substances. The effect of them lasts forever, but there is a very high risk of rejection by the body or improper distribution under the skin, which is why the shape of the lips is far from the desired one. A natural alternative to synthetic fillers is the patient’s own adipose tissue. You can read here why herpes can appear on the lips after tattooing and what can be done about such a problem.

With lipolifting, the likelihood of rejection is lower, but otherwise this procedure is no less complex - this is a serious operation that is performed under general anesthesia.

But how lip peeling occurs and how effective this procedure is is described in detail here.

Each type of filler and specific drug has its own pros, cons, and situations when it is best to use it. So there is no single leading product - everything is selected by an experienced cosmetologist depending on the specific case.

How to numb lips before lip augmentation?

Cosmetologists most often use local anesthesia for pain relief. An anesthetic cream containing lidocaine is applied. It “freezes” well the area of ​​the skin where the cream was applied. The effect wears off within 10 minutes.

Lip augmentation is painful, but giving anesthesia with injections is quite dangerous, because with this method of pain relief, the nerve endings are “frozen.” Therefore, the result of lip augmentation is difficult to predict after this type of anesthesia.

Does it hurt to enlarge lips? Of course it hurts. But the cosmetology industry has developed many products to reduce pain to a minimum. Is it painful to enlarge lips with hyaluronic acid? Yes. It hurts, just like any other injection. But hyaluronic acid itself does not produce a painful effect.

Lip care after surgery

The skin of the lips after lip augmentation procedures is in especially dire need of nutrition and hydration. You should definitely use restorative, regenerating ointments and fatty lip balms as often as possible; at home you can also apply masks, for example, made from rich sour cream or various oils. To reduce swelling, it is recommended to apply cold compresses frequently, but not for long (literally for a couple of minutes).

It is better to avoid applying lipsticks, glosses and other decorative cosmetics for at least a couple of days - a week. But if for some reason it is not possible to do without makeup, you should use mild hypoallergenic products designed for sensitive skin.

You may also be interested in information about how the procedure for lip tattooing with shading is carried out.

The video shows lip care after filler surgery:

These measures are more than enough if the lips were enlarged with filler injections, and not with large-scale surgery. After the operation, the patient will have to visit the doctor for repeated dressings and drainage, and possibly even take antibiotics. The first days after the procedure, liquid food is recommended, then for another 10 days it is better to stick to a light diet. The stitches are usually removed within a week, at which time the woman can return to her usual lifestyle.

But you can read here how lip augmentation occurs with Botox and how effective and painless this procedure is.

However, active physical activity will have to be postponed; it will be possible to return to sports only a month and a half after the operation.

For those who want to learn more about how epilation of the upper lip is carried out and how to carry out such a procedure with their own hands, you can see here.

Advantages and disadvantages

The main advantages of this procedure include:

• possibility of correction of aesthetic defects;
• painlessness when using local anesthesia;
• minimal risk of injury;
• short recovery period;
• minimal risk of infection of the epidermis;
• uniform distribution of biologically active components.

There are also certain disadvantages of such manipulations, which include:

• the procedure is quite expensive;
• you will need to take a course of several sessions;
• the presence of an allergic reaction to some components;
• Loss of results after a while.

Consequences

After the injections, the patient does not need to be under the supervision of a doctor; he goes home. During the first 3–7 days, swelling is observed, which may increase or decrease during the day. Painful sensitivity is also felt, which is a normal reaction after damage to the integrity of the skin. Hematomas and bruises go away along with swelling; when smoking, they can last longer.

Important! If after the rehabilitation period the drug does not rise, it means that the doctor incorrectly calculated the dosage and injection sites.

It is possible to correct it with additional correction, which is carried out after 2 weeks. Therefore, before performing it, it is important to check the diploma and qualifications of the doctor, familiarize yourself with the quality certificates and expiration dates of the drugs used. You should also check the clinic’s license and work permit to provide cosmetology services.

Complications:

• granulomas, compactions;
• migration, uneven distribution of a substance in tissues;
• development of infections;
• necrosis;
• scarring of tissue.

During the rehabilitation period, it is important to follow all doctor’s recommendations. Side effects may occur if the rules of care are not followed. When the procedure is performed by a qualified doctor, the risks of infection during injections are minimal.

Restrictions after the procedure

The main recommendation for the first day is to wait out all the uncomfortable symptoms. It will hurt for 2-3 days, which is normal.

Injury to the network of numerous vessels and tissue stretching during filling will bother you for some time. To avoid side effects and achieve the desired aesthetic result, you must follow all the doctor’s recommendations.

Rehabilitation period:

• the injection sites are treated with antiseptic and anesthetic ointments,
• Cold compresses can be used periodically to reduce swelling;
• light massage is allowed when there is a large volume of filler injected; in other cases, you should not touch your lips with your hands;
• It is not recommended to take a horizontal position for the first 8 hours; for the next 14 days you need to sleep on a high pillow, on your back;
• It is necessary to take antiviral drugs for about a week to avoid the appearance of herpes, although the likelihood of exacerbation increases;
• after contour plastic surgery, you cannot eat or drink hot or cold foods or drinks for 24 hours;
• for 2–3 weeks you should not visit baths, saunas, solariums, or the beach;
• It is not recommended to scream, open your mouth wide, or perform any movements that strain the perioral area;
• You should avoid kissing for a week, and you should also limit any physical activity or sports;
• The consumption of alcoholic beverages is prohibited for 7–14 days, but smoking does not affect the recovery process;
• You can make an appointment with the dentist after a month.

Methodology for lip contouring: a practical guide

The technique for lip contouring is quite simple, but requires precise methodological execution. The lip can be secured with your thumb and index finger. A 30G needle is inserted into the red border at the border of the white ridge with a cut towards the mouth opening and outwards.

The gel must be injected very slowly while the needle is being reversed. In order to emphasize the “Cupid's arch”, the needle is inserted into the middle part of the lip horizontally between the corners of the philtrum. The drug must be injected into the middle part of the lip. In this case, the volume of drugs injected into symmetrical areas should be the same. On average, the procedure requires from 1 to 3 ml of the drug.

Perfect integration: histological aspects of filler application

Possible problems

The result can exceed expectations if a woman demands to inject the product again and again. What happens in this case can be seen in the photos of many famous women before and after silicone in their lips. Removing it is much more difficult than injecting it, since the material tends to grow into tissue over time. When removing it, the doctor must be careful not to touch the facial nerve. If this happens, the damage will be caused not only to the appearance, but also to the woman’s health.

Complication after surgery

Silicone tends to move in tissues and form clumps in any part of the face. This happens due to a poorly performed procedure or age-related changes. But even if everything looks great on the outside, silicone lips can bring unpleasant surprises over time:

• Pain when touching them;
• The occurrence of tumors;
• Loss of sensation;
• Material rejection in women who smoke.

In all cases, you should immediately consult a doctor and remove the silicone. The sooner this is done, the greater the amount that can be extracted.

Indications for administering Botox to the lips

The use of Botox is indicated when the lips:

• located asymmetrically;
• have numerous wrinkles around;
• tightened, which is caused by prolonged and strong muscle tension;
• too thin.

Despite the fact that botulinum toxin is one of the most powerful neurotoxins known to mankind, it is used for cosmetic purposes in very low concentrations. A high degree of purification and high dilution of the drug make it possible to achieve a significant aesthetic effect in a short period of time. Botox used in therapeutic dosage is safe if the patient has no contraindications.