Hyaluronic acid-based fillers are a favourite for lip enhancements because they naturally occur in the body, are reversible, and give natural-looking results. They work by attracting and holding onto water molecules to hydrate and plump the tissues.
Poor injection techniques heavily contribute to lip filler migration. For instance, a common poor injection technique is injecting the filler too close to the skin’s surface, which could lead to noticeable lumps or filler migration. Multiple puncture points can also cause damage to the lip, the result of which is often filler migration.
Understanding the root cause is crucial to preventing and addressing lip filler migration. Here’s a closer look at why filler tends to head north:
Gravity is a constant force and, over time, it can contribute to the downward movement of filler. The upper lip is especially prone to this gravitational pull.
The delicate nature of the skin above the lip lacks robust support structures, making filler more susceptible to migration.
Applying too much filler can overwhelm the lip’s natural contours, making it prone to migration. Strategic placement is vital to maintaining a harmonious look.
Migrate can mean several things in the aesthetic industry. Simply put lip filler Migrate means that your lip fillers have moved or spread unintentionally. If your lip fillers have migrated, it will almost always be noticeable visually.
This can be presented in many ways; from a puffy upper lip, a lack of a defined border between the lip edge and above and/or below the lip border. Essentially it can create lumps or bumps that create notably misshapen lips and can prevent them from closing properly. We’ve all seen it and we’ve all heard about it.
Leaving filler migration untreated can lead to prolonged unwanted results and delay future treatments. While lip fillers will eventually dissolve, noticeable improvement can take months or years without professional assistance.
Hyaluronic acid lip fillers can be used to counteract lip filler migration and improve the appearance of puffiness, hardness, or unnatural lips. It is necessary to address filler migration before continuing with regular injections and potentially exacerbating the issue.
Lip filler is a cosmetic procedure designed to enhance the lips’ shape, volume, and overall appearance. It typically involves the injection of a dermal filler, a gel-like substance containing hyaluronic acid, a naturally occurring molecule in the body.
The filler is strategically injected into specific lip areas to achieve the desired results. It adds volume and definition to the lips, smoothing out fine lines and wrinkles and creating a more balanced and attractive lip shape.
The hyaluronic acid in the filler attracts and retains moisture, giving the lips a plump and hydrated look. The results are instant, providing immediate improvement in lip fullness and overall aesthetic. Lip filler treatments are customisable, allowing individuals to achieve their desired lip enhancement while maintaining a natural-looking outcome.
The effects of this cosmetic procedure typically last several months, after which additional treatments may be needed to maintain the desired results.
The most popular dermal fillers are composed of synthetic hyaluronic acid. Within each brand, there are typically different products of differing gel-like consistency depending on the area of the face to be treated.
The mid-face requires a thicker consistency to restore significant lost volume, whereas the delicate lip area needs a thinner consistency. Most products also contain lidocaine gel which improves the patient experience by reducing any sensitivity.
The injected filler will usually remain within the vermillion border of the lips, but if it does migrate, it will usually move into the cutaneous portion of the upper lip. This can result in a ledge-like effect, creating a shadow that is sometimes called a ‘filler moustache’. From the side profile, it can look duck-like. Another presentation is the formation of lumps in the lip line.
The rise in popularity of over-exaggerated pouts and trends such as the ‘Russian lip’ has led to an increase in issues with lip filler migration. These techniques typically involve multiple punctures of the lip border, making it more likely that filler can leak out.
The best way to avoid lip filler migration is to see an experienced professional. They will tell you the right filler for you and how often you should come back. You should be able to trust them to tell you no and turn you away if you want too much filler or filler too frequently, as these increase the risk of lip filler migration and may not look right with your features besides.
The person you see should use known, trusted brands. They should also instruct you on appropriate aftercare, as lip filler migration can occur without correct aftercare.