The 411 on lip fillers
It's all about the full pout.
Lip fillers aren't just a trend anymore, it's becoming a standard. With mainstream celebrities like Kylie Jenner shining light on this enhancement, young women are seeking the procedure more than ever. Just last year alone, more than 27,000 lip procedures took place in the U.S., with a lip procedure being performed every 20 minutes, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.
With the upsurge of lip procedures, we spoke to Dr. Marina Peredo, a board-certified dermatologist who has offices in Manhattan and Long Island, about the things you should know before filling in your puckers.
Find the right doctor
“Go to someone who has medical experience but whose also not just a physician,” says Dr. Peredo. It's important to find someone who has the medical background yet has the experience in cosmetic procedures. Many people assume that lip fillers aren't a medical procedure when it actually is so it's important to do your research and take precaution.
There's an art to it
Patients shouldn't go into any cosmetic office wanting lips like a certain celebrity. There is actually mathematics and and art behind injections, according to Peredo. Some doctors use measuring tools to find the right proportions and see what lip size is perfect for your face. This helps give patients the right balance.
It's a luxury
The way you would splurge on an expensive purse is the same way you should look into getting lip fillers. Dr. Peredo says, “If it sounds too good to be true, stay away.” She also believes young patients should stay away from discount sites like Groupon for serious procedures. Most of the time, seemly great prices could mean fillers that are diluted down or expired product, which is major risk. It's common to pay $800 or more for one visit if you want it done right.
Are there any risks?
“There is always risk when there is needles involved,” warned Peredo. Patients may have bruising or swelling. Most common is swelling but it is only temporary. You are able to go right back to school or work the same day. In less than a week, the lips will swell down. Peredo has a suggestion for patients that don't want others to know about the procedure: “say you went to the dentist and had some work done.”
You can change your mind
No worries, it's not the end of the world if you end up not liking the end result. Dr. Peredo says she has had patients who didn't like their job from another doctor and she was able to correct it. Patients are able to bring it down or take out the filler.
Is there any pain?
“It's not painless but it's tolerable,” said Peredo. Anesthetics are applied to the lips so patients can feel as little as possible during procedure.