What determines how long a lip filler lasts is its consistency, or what we call G prime. The thicker the consistency, the longer it’s going to last. But you have to balance this, especially in the lip, with what is going to feel good in your lips. It should feel soft and natural, versus just what’s going to last the longest. So, things like Restalyne Lyft or Juvederm Voluma are things that I really don’t put in the lips. Those last the longest, but they can be very hard and firm, and just not look natural. But fillers like Restalyne Kysse are very, very soft and they’re great for people that want just a little bit of refinement, but don’t necessarily want a whole lot of volume.
Which lasts longer Juvederm or Restylane?
It kind of depends on the person and their metabolism. Juvederm for me is slightly thicker. It’s a little more firm than Restalyne, which tends to be very soft, very smooth, very natural. If someone is injecting their lips for the first time. I like to use Restalyne, because it gives a really nice volume without being overpowering. You can do the same with Juvedrm, but you get a little more plump. It looks a little bit more, not necessarily Kylie Jenner, but just a little more volume.
So, if someone wants that or they want it to last just a little bit longer, I’ll usually go with Juvederm. But they each have their benefit and work different in different people. Plus, it also depends on what your lip shape is to start with. If you have thinner lips like me, you don’t necessarily want to start with a thicker filler that’s going to try to add volume, all at once. You want to add very slowly over time to get to the point where you want to be. And I’ll actually start with the smoother fillers in the beginning to get a little bit of volume, before we move to the thicker ones to get us where we want to go. So, it’s more of a natural progression.
Which lip filler is best?
It really depends on your lips and your goals, and how we’re trying to get there. If you want just a little bit of refinement, you’re trying to make a symmetric lips more symmetric. You’re trying to get more of the liner, something really fine and thin, like a Restalyne Sylk or Volbella is very nice if you want a little bit of volume, but you don’t want anybody to know you had fillers.
Does massaging filler break it down?
Maybe. The way that filler breaks down is that you have an enzyme in your body that breaks down hyaluronic acid. So, your body does this naturally in your lips and your skin, all the time. You make an hyaluronic acid, and you break it down. It’s a whole cycle. So, with fillers, you’re adding hyaluronic acid in a very concentrated gel, and increasing the volume there. You can, by massaging it, you can sort of smooth out that little place of the filler that you placed it. This is great, especially for the lips where you may feel a little bump and you can massage it. It will take it from being this very condensed ball of filler and then making it smoother.
But by doing that, that does increase the surface area which can help the enzymes get to the hyaluronic acid, and break it down. So, it’s not going to break it down in a day or two. It’s not going to be gone in a month. But it could expose it to more of the enzymes, and break it down slightly faster over time.
How do you make lip fillers last longer?
So, you inject a little bit first. Then come back in a few months, inject a little bit more, and a little bit more. That way you’re layering filler upon filler. Number one, it’ll look more natural because you’re not going from filled lips to not-filled lips, back to filled lips. Instead, you’re maintaining what you have. And, what you have is actually sticking around longer. Plus, the process of injecting lips does stimulate some collagen on its own, due to the healing process after the injection. And that collagen can actually help the effect of lip fillers last longer, by creating more collagen over time.
Have questions?
Call or email any time. I’d sincerely love to hear from you.
(281) 336-9300
Read More
The Ultimate Guide to Soft Tissue Fillers
How Long Does Cheek Augmentation Last?
How Long Do Soft Tissue Fillers Last?
The Truth About Juvederm
About Dr. Angela Sturm
Dr. Angela Sturm is a double-board certified facial plastic surgeon with certifications with the American Board of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery and the American Board of Facial Plastic Surgery. Dr. Sturm’s meticulous nature makes for exceptional results and satisfied patients. Dr. Sturm was named Texas Monthly’s Super Doctors Rising Star in 2016-2017, Texas Monthly’s Super Doctor in 2018-2019, H Texas Magazine’s Top Doc in 2013-2018, Top Doc by Houstonia magazine in 2016-2018, Houston Business Journal’s People on the Move and 40 under 40, Blazing Star Award by Texas Women’s Chamber of Commerce, Top Women in Business, one of the Top 30 Influential Women of Houston, Best Female Cosmetic Surgeon in Out Smart, and given the Patients’ Choice Award, On Time Doctor Award and Compassionate Doctor Award by Vitals.com.
