From vampire facials to those done with actual human placenta, celebrity beauty procedures can be as alarming as they are intriguing.
Kylie Jenner's pouty lips are the envy of many, and although she's revealed that she spends 40 minutes a day lining her lips (yeesh, doesn't she have places to be?), it's also no secret that the superstar gets lip injections. And naturally, it's inspiring others to undergo the procedure too in order to have the same plumped pout.
I'd like to make it clear that I'm not condoning anything here and that everyone can do whatever the hell they want with their appearance, but lip augmentation is getting increasingly popular these days and people want to know more about it. So, for the sake of keeping those of you interested in the procedure informed and savvy, here are 7 things you need to know about lip fillers before getting them.
1. Don't expect to look like your favourite celeb
You've got your own beautifully unique face, so their lips might not necessarily suit you. Discuss it with your doc and decide if you want just your lower lip, middle of the top lip, or both done. Go bigger gradually for the most natural-looking results, and so that you don't frighten your nearest and dearest with a sudden, unexpected change.
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2. Doctors use slightly different stuff
I don't need to tell you that you should only go to experienced professionals for the procedure – a dermatologist, plastic surgeon, or nurse practitioner – but you should also know that different practitioners use different filler formulas. One of the most popular and natural looking temporary fillers are those with hyaluronic acid (HA).
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3. They won't feel any different to your normal lips
Your augmented pout won't be numb or sensitive post procedure, so don't think you'll lose sensation or that they'll get aggravated after a long make-out session. Phew.
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4. It's pretty easy to revert your lips back to normal if you need
This is not the case if you get permanent or semi-permanent ones (duh), but normal HA fillers are easy to get rid of with an eraser enzyme that dissolves the filler in as little as five minutes. Any lumps you might see in your lips from the filler being too close to the surface can also be corrected, but they usually go away on their own.
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5. It's going to cost you a bit
Procedures usually cost between $500 to $2,000, depending on where you are and how much you're planning to inject. Remember that fillers only last around three to six months, so you'll have to buy repeat sessions if you want to maintain your plumped up pout.
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6. It stings when the stuff is injected
The whole procedure only takes around 15 minutes and it involves the usual pinch of a needle penetrating your skin followed by a stinging sensation when it's being injected. You're better off getting your lips numbed beforehand, and afterwards, you'll need to ice them a bit before skipping off to seize the rest of the day.
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6. You'll probably bleed a little and be slightly bruised
You'll notice your fuller lips right away – after the initial swelling has died down (give it 24 hours). But you'll probably see some slight bleeding and bruises around the site of injection which could stay for five to seven days after the procedure. You can take oral or topical solutions like Arnica to reduce it.
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7. Your lips will go back to normal if you stop getting lip augmentation
Never fear – they won't turn into drooping flaps of skin if you decide to stop getting fillers. They might be a liiittle larger than what they used to be, but they'll generally go back to their natural state.
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Even though it's a relatively quick and easy procedure to get, remember that lip injections still pose health risks like vascular occlusion. So have a good think about whether you really want to get them done or not, and remember that your lips are perfectly kissable as they are.
