Valentine’s Day brings to mind a great number of images, from flowers to candy to candlelight dinners to the kisses that your loved one will shower you with. If you are feeling self-conscious about the fullness of your lips, that can become extra apparent on these occasions that are so fueled by romance. For those ready to achieve a fuller pout, and an extra boost of confidence, look no further than proven, non-surgical treatments to give you the lips you’ve been dreaming of—with no wait and no downtime.
Cosmetic injections are nothing new, but recent advances in technology have given us safe and effective alternatives to increasing the volume of your lips.
Perhaps you’ve had thin lips your whole life. Or, as you’ve gotten older, you’ve noticed that your once plump lips have started to thin out. Even if you had fuller lips when you were younger, as we age, the body slows down production of the connective tissues and cells that give our skin its supple fullness, and this applies to the lips as well. For the same reason that your face may develop fine lines and wrinkles, your lips may lose much of the volume they once had, too.
Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring compound in the body that promotes tissue lubrication, increases plumpness in the skin and acts as a key component of healthy tissue. You’ve probably seen this ingredient in some of your favorite skin care products because of its ability to attract and retain moisture. Hyaluronic acid can be found naturally occurring within many joints, as well as in your eyes, but more than half of the hyaluronic acid in your body is in your skin. As the body produces less hyaluronic acid with age, skin becomes less supple and sometimes described as “thinner”.
Collagen is another key component of supple skin and a healthy, voluminous pucker. But similarly, this compound tends to dissipate over time. As we age, this combined decrease in collagen and hyaluronic acid accelerates the visible appearance of aging, causing our skin to appear thinner, less full and often drier.
Concentrated doses of hyaluronic acid in targeted areas have been shown to produce immediate plumping or filling results. Once the medical team completes a consultation and determines that a dermal filler is right for your case, the area is carefully marked and prepped. In some cases, an anesthetic is applied to minimize any discomfort from the injection. Skin becomes smoother and fuller at the point of injection, and the beautiful, bow-shaped lips you’ve been picturing can appear right before your eyes. Yes—many patients can see results immediately.
While many patients can resume normal activities immediately, some do experience slight swelling or bruising that will diminish in the days following treatment.
So the final big question – is it safe?
The acid contains no harmful toxins and does not work by paralyzing the nerves. Instead, it gives the body back the natural substance(s) it has lost—or never had in abundance in the first place—leaving you with full, kissable, Valentine’s-worthy lips.
This Valentine’s Day give yourself, or a loved one, the special treatment they deserve—with the gift of lovely, luscious lips.