One every twenty minutes — that's how often a person underwent a lip augmentation in 2015, according to CBS News. But that doesn't really come as a big surprise, does it? It seems full, kissable lips are all the rage now, with YouTube tutorials teaching you how to over-line with makeup and celebrities creating beauty empires out of their puckered pouts. If you're one of the many women or men curious about the procedure, here's exactly what you need to know about lip injections, according to Beverly Hills plastic surgeon Dr. Harry Glassman.
According to the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, there were over 10,879,909 nonsurgical procedures performed in 2015, a 22 percent increase since 2014. Dr. David H. Song, president of the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, credits our tech culture for the surge in popularity. "We live in the age of the selfie, and because we see images of ourselves almost constantly on social media, we're much more aware of how our lips look," he said in a press release.
Others would argue that it's due to the advancement in technology and how easy it is to get lip fillers. "Lip implants have been around for quite a while, but new technology is taking the industry by storm," said plastic surgeon Robert Houser. "If a patient doesn't like the injections, it's fine, because within a few months they wear off and everything is back to normal."
Whether you're intrigued by the fact that they're "temporary" or you're looking to gain a fuller Kylie-Jenner-esque pout, here's what Dr. Harry Glassman, world-renowned plastic surgeon of Thibiant Medspa, wants you to know.
1. People With Fuller Lips Are Better Candidates For Lip Injections
"People with the thinnest lips don't get the best results, while people who have reasonable fullness to their lips can enhance it," says Glassman. People with thin lips should have lower expectations when heading into the procedure, but they shouldn't be discouraged — just realistic.
2. Your Lips Will Be Numbed
Before the procedure, "there's a numbing cream that's applied for 20-30 minutes," says Dr. Glassman. If you're sensitive to pain, you should know that although lip augmentations are non-surgical, it might still hurt. "It isn't painless, but it's relatively easy to do."
3. Recovery Is Fairly Quick
Glassman says to expect the recovery to be "one day of swelling with a little bruising."
4. The Procedure Is Very Precise
"It has to be done very methodically, very carefully," Glassman tells me. "We actually do it as a team of people. While I'm injecting, people are looking from different angles to make sure that it's being done symmetrically."
5. The Injections Last For Up To Six Months
The procedure can last four to six months depending on the person, and depending on what material is used. Juvederm, Restylane Silk, and Belotero are the most commonly injected hyaluronic fillers used in these procedures.
6. Lip Shapes Are Specific To A Person's Face
While you might envy a certain celebrity or beauty influencer's lips, the shape might not be feasible to copy. "You can't cut out a picture of someone's lips and say, this is what I want. It just may not jive with your face," Dr. Glassman says. He works with his team to ensure you are not only happy with your results, but are realistic with what your finished look is going to be.
7. Consultations Are Super Duper Important
"It's important to hear what's advisable, what they can expect, and what the limitations are," Dr. Glassman advises.
To learn more about lip augmentations, you can visit the Thibiant Beverly Hills Spa website.
