5 Injectable Filler Questions Answered

Kylie Jenner’s built an empire with nearly 230 million Instagram followers, hair colors, and a lip product line worth close to $1 billion. And anyone who follows the millennial makeup maven knows she’s most famous for her lips. 

The genesis of that fame may have started with an episode of her former reality show Life Of Kylie, in which she decided to get lip injections. 

Lip injection treatments are popular – according to the 2020 Plastic Surgery Statistics Report by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, over 2.6 million injectable cosmetic procedures were performed in the U.S. during a year most of us stayed home. 

Lip fillers are a quick and relatively easy way to plump up and smooth out a part of your face that might have been covered by a mask for a while. While a simple enough procedure, there’s a couple of things to know about it before you get your shot. 

Question 1: What’s In The Needle? 

Injectable lip fillers like Restylane Kysse use a gel made up of hyaluronic acid (HA). Hyaluronic acid is a type of sugar naturally found in our connective, organ, and neural tissues. Much like collagen and elastin, our bodies make less and less HA as we age, which is one of the reasons we develop folds and creases. Most hyaluronic acid used for cosmetic purposes is grown in labs. 

Injectable fillers like Restylane work by physically filling the areas they get shot into. Chemically speaking, hyaluronic acid is a humectant, meaning it retains moisture it can hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water. This massive water retention ability is why HA adds back hydration and volume when it’s injected, making areas like the lips look full and plump again. 

Question 2: Does It Hurt? 

That depends on how you feel about needles. When you think about the shots you’ve had – Novocain, flu shots, vaccinations – were any of them painful? Most probably felt like a slight pinch. 

A lot of lip filler injections also include lidocaine, an anesthetic that will help you feel more comfortable during the injection. Additionally, many providers will give you a smear of a topical anesthetic on your lips before your shot. 

Afterward, your provider will give you ice to help keep minor swelling now. As for the swelling, redness, and bruising, that depends on someone’s physiology. Most of those symptoms are fairly minor. 

Question 3: Do I Need To Prep For Lip Fillers Beforehand? 

It’s great advice to consult your primary care physician before you undergo any kind of procedure, no matter how mild. That said, there are a few things you should do before you get your lip fillers: 

A week before: Stop using over-the-counter medicines which act as blood thinners, like aspirin, ibuprofen, and Aleve. Also, you want to avoid supplements like primrose oil, ginkgo, garlic, ginseng, Vitamin E, and others. 

Two or three days before: Don’t do any hair removal on the area you’re going to get shot in. No waxing, bleaching, or hair removal creams. Also, don’t put any anti-aging products on the area like retinoids. There is one thing you can do, though – you can use arnica to help lessen any bruising. 

The night before: Don’t drink any alcohol. It thins the blood. 

The day of: On the day you get your shot, don’t wear any makeup. Just wash your face. 

One last thing – if you’ve ever had cold sores, check with your physician before you get a filler injection. 

Question 4: What Happens After I Get My Shot? 

First, listen to your provider and do what they tell you to minimize any swelling or bruising. Acetaminophen can reduce any residual pain. Also, don’t scratch or pick at the site. 

Secondly, avoid any intense heat on the affected area. Keep your face out of the sun, wash gently with warm water, and don’t drink hot coffee or tea. 

Finally, there are a few things you can do to minimize bruising. Avoid heavy exercise and don’t drink alcohol. Also, keep applying ice to the area. Supplements like bromelain can help reduce bruising, too. 

Most people only need one injection, and results tend to last for a year. 

Question 5: What If I Don’t Like The Results? 

Here’s the biggest advantage of hyaluronic acid fillers – they can be dissolved with an enzyme called hyaluronidase. The process consists of another simple injection, works within 48 hours, and is painless. 

One quick note, though: hyaluronidase is also found in bee venom. If you think (or aren’t sure) if you have an allergy to bee venom, check with your physician. 

Injectable Lip Fillers: Safe, Fast And Non-Surgical Lip Enhancement 

With hyaluronic acid dermal fillers like Restylane Kysse, it’s easier than ever to achieve the ideal lip look you want. A relatively simple and long-lasting procedure, lip injection treatments give everyone a chance to get the lip look they want. 

Las Vegas Lip Fillers For You At Sculpt Spa 

Sculpt Spa is Las Vegas’ leading provider of injection injections. We offer the latest hyaluronic acid dermal fillers from Galderma, with lip, facial, and anti-wrinkle treatments available for you. 

Sculpt Spa offers its services in a serene, nonjudgmental spa setting. With additional services including body contouring, NAD+, and vitamin injections, we are the ideal place for making a new you. Talk to a Sculpt Spa pro today about our injections and more!