Lips: absorbable fillers based on hyaluronic acid

Generality

To counteract the loss of volume and hydration of the lips, responsible for a series of imperfections, it is possible to use fillable resorbable fillers, able to correct or improve the appearance of the labial mucosa.

In aesthetic medicine, the term " filler " defines a minimally invasive method which consists of localized injection, at the level of soft tissues, of one or more substances of various nature in order to treat some imperfections and obtain a clinical-aesthetic improvement.

Modern techniques of aesthetic medicine guarantee almost painless treatments, particularly effective in rejuvenating and enhancing the lips.

The world of lip fillers is constantly evolving: the most commonly used and safe substance is hyaluronic acid. This component, in addition to being very effective, goes very well with the experimentation of increasingly advanced production technologies, developed with pharmaceutical rigor to obtain safe and effective polymers.

Hyaluronic acid

Hyaluronic acid is a glycosaminoglycan naturally produced by our body, present in all human connective tissues (including the entire thickness of the skin) and in cartilage. Its essential function is to maintain hydration and skin elasticity, while simultaneously giving protection to tissues (together with collagen and elastic fibers).

For several years, modern technologies have allowed us to synthetically reproduce this substance, which is totally biocompatible and therefore suitable for applications in aesthetic medicine. Previously it was extracted from the rooster crests.

Hyaluronic acid is injected in small doses in the first layers of the area to be treated, with a syringe equipped with a thin needle; here, it produces the following effects: overall improves the quality of tissues, fills wrinkles, hydrates the dermis and stimulates fibroblasts to produce collagen and elastin.

Aging and hyaluronic acid

Hyaluronic acid is a component of our tissues, subject to impoverishment as we age:

the metabolism slows down, such as cell turnover (mechanism of renewal of the functional and structural constituents of cells and tissues); in particular, at the skin level, fibroblast activity decreases
decreases the production of collagen and elastin in the deepest layer of the skin (to which they give support);
the structure of collagen and elastin is disturbed and therefore becomes less compact
overall, the skin is thinner and wrinkles appear.

It is therefore possible to use a filler to improve some blemishes on the lips and their contours:

Congenital lack of volume
Loss of volume caused by aging, to eliminate wrinkles and folds
Asymmetries
To get more defined and soft lips.

Types of fillers for lips

The hyaluronic acid used in aesthetic medicine is synthesized with pharmaceutical rigor in the laboratory, with the help of biotechnological techniques. The final synthesis product is a viscous, colorless and sterile gel: the hyaluronate molecules constitute intermolecular bonds characterizing the matrix of the injectable product (the number of bonds that are formed between the molecules determines the quality and duration of the filler). Generally, hyaluronic acid fillers, being biocompatible, do not require any preliminary testing to highlight potential allergic reactions.

There are two varieties of hyaluronic acid:

Hylauronic acid Hylaform, of avian origin (extracted from the crests of roosters), less and less used;
NASHA (Non-Animal Stabilized Hyaluronic Acid) hyaluronic acid, of bacterial origin (they do not contain animal extracts, are synthesized in the laboratory from cultures of Streptococcus equi ).

The NASHA hyaluronic acid based lip fillers are currently the most innovative and efficient: their stabilization allows the creation of a three-dimensional molecular network that prolongs the reabsorption time (and allows you to undergo a lower number of sessions).

Two types of stabilized hyaluronic acid have been specially developed for the application of lip fillers:

Filler lip volume
- It is the "classic" filler, designed to be injected into the labial mucosa in order to give it volume.
- It is mainly used in case of thinning and loss of definition.
- The filler is highly pliable and has a soft consistency: once injected, it forms an elastic and flexible molecular "support" able to support the movements of the facial muscles.
- The application combined with lidocaine (a mild anesthetic within the filler itself) makes the treatment less traumatic (painful).
- It gives fullness to the lips favoring their natural design (plumping effect): the volume that gives the lips is dynamic, not artificial.
- Duration of effect: approximately six months.
Refresh lip
- Non-filling but curative treatment: taken together, the mechanisms of the skin that keep it healthy and hydrated over time are stimulated.
- It has a "skinbooster" effect: the hyaluronic acid contained in the filler is highly concentrated, slow-release, and appears as a viscous solution. This effect helps to balance hydration in depth and prevent aging.
- This filler also contains a small amount of lidocaine (anesthetic action).
- The application is by injection and the result is very natural: it does not work by changing the size and shape of the lips, but makes them smooth, luminous and toned.

Injection of fillers for lips, volume and refresh can be repeated every 5/8 months.

Approximate cost of each session: 500 euros

Recently, a further type of filler was introduced in the field of aesthetic treatments for lips that have been emptied due to aging, which are too thin or asymmetrical: Emervel lip .

This filler filler is made up of a "cross-linked" hyaluronic acid based gel (reticulated version), which appears as the softest and most malleable, very comfortable form; contains a small amount of lidocaine which contributes to the reduction of pain and post-treatment swelling.

How to do it

Each treatment is carried out using an infiltration technique at an authorized medical clinic; in general the duration of the treatment varies from 15 to 30 minutes, while the stay at the clinic is about 2 hours.

An anesthetic ointment is applied half an hour before the treatment: during the injection, the patient might otherwise experience a sensation of discomfort or pain in the sensitive area of the lips.

The filler based on hyaluronic acid is injected where it is necessary to give volume and tone, until the desired correction is achieved (with about 2 -5 punctures). After each injection, the doctor massages the treated part before continuing with further applications.

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Advantages

Hyaluronic acid based lip fillers are less invasive and less expensive than plastic surgery and cosmetic surgery and have the following advantages:

remodel the lips gradually;
give it a very natural look;
invasiveness of limited interventions;
there is no pre-surgical preparation or anesthesia;
no scars remain and recovery times are fast;
they are cheap (the cost depends on the type of filler used and the imperfection treated: on average they can vary from 250 to 500 euros per session).

Results

Hyaluronic acid, once injected into the labial mucosa, draws water molecules producing a three-dimensional encumbrance and restoring the typical volume and appearance of young and fleshy lips. Following the application of the filler at the level of the labial mucosa, the product is metabolized and consequently reabsorbed by the body with variable times depending on the imperfection treated and the type of preparation used.

Hyaluronic acid based lip fillers are safe for the body: they reabsorb without leaving obvious marks.

Post treatment

At the end of the session the doctor applies an antibiotic cream and, in case of redness and / or swelling, he may suggest to use a little ice to put on the treated area, for the first few hours after applying the lip filler.

In the case of fast absorption fillers the adverse effects are limited:

After the injection of hyaluronic acid, a slight reddening and swelling may appear at the level of the treated labial mucosa, which tend to resolve within 24-48 hours.
In extreme cases, small bruises may appear at the needle penetration holes with which the filler was applied.

In the specific case of a gel implant based on hyaluronic acid for the treatment of blemishes on the lips, it is advisable to avoid smoking and consuming drinks and / or hot foods for a few hours.