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How Can You Get the Most Natural Results from Facial Fillers?

Can dermal fillers look natural? Our Arizona-based team at Ironwood Dermatology is aware that many patients prefer their filler results to look as subtle and natural as possible rather than overdone. The goal is to enhance the face and emphasize your natural beauty without ending up with a pillow face or “duck lips” appearance. “Pillow face” is a term that’s used to describe that unnatural look with overly pronounced lips and cheeks that you can get from overusing fillers. 

Of course, most of us would prefer to avoid that look—but is it possible to get fillers that are so subtle others notice the change but aren’t sure why? The answer is yes. It’s entirely possible to achieve natural-looking results from injectables if you want to get a youthful, rejuvenated look. There’s no need to be afraid of ending up with results that look overly “fake” from fillers, especially when you work with highly trained and experienced injectors—such as the Ironwood Dermatology team—who know that fillers are customizable so they can be as subtle or as detectable as you would like them to be. 

Here are a few more tips for avoiding duck lips:

Take a “Less is More” Approach

Getting great results from fillers won’t necessarily be about using lots of the product. Injecting the right amount of filler is critical, which is where choosing an experienced provider comes in. The anatomical placement of the filler and the type of filler used are both important aspects that should be considered. 

Get a Treatment Plan

You will need a detailed, well-thought-out plan to ensure that your fillers look natural. Work closely with your injector to explain your goals and understand the possibilities. The results should enhance the balance of the face and provide support when they’re done correctly.

Use the Right Ratios 

When it comes to adding volume—especially lip injections—there are specific ratios that will provide the most natural look. There should be a 1:1 ratio between the outer corners of the top and bottom lip. The lower lip should always be larger than the upper lip, and the skin should have some variation since a perfectly smooth, shiny appearance would not look natural. 

Talk to our Arizona-based team at Ironwood Dermatology for more details about what fillers can do and how to get ideal results from the treatment. Call us at 520.618.1630 or submit a contact form to schedule a consultation. 

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5 Tips for Soothing Dry Lips After Lip Injections

The air is particularly dry and cool during wintertime in Arizona. These weather conditions can take a negative toll on the thin, delicate skin of the lips, leading them to become tight and chapped—even for people who haven’t recently had lip fillers. Our Tucson and Oro Valley area injectors recommend giving your lips some extra attention during the colder season, especially if you’ve had lip injections. Here’s what you can typically expect after a filler session, as well as some simple tricks for keeping your lips hydrated and soft.

For patients who have always wanted to give their lips a poutier appearance or more defined shape, lip fillers are the gold standard for achieving this look. One of the aspects of lip injections that patients are most curious about before having the procedure is what their lips will feel like after they’ve received their injections.

Although one of the benefits of an injectable procedure is that there’s no actual recovery time needed after, there are some short-term side effects to consider, such as mild bruising and swelling. Simply put, your lips can feel “weird” at first, but each person has a different experience depending on a range of factors.

Despite the hyaluronic acid that fillers contain, which is designed to retain water in the skin, post-lip injection dryness is a rare side effect that happens to some people—and can persist for a few days after you’ve had fillers like JUVEDERM®. This can be more likely if you already naturally tend to have drier lips. The flaky, dry feeling could be happening as a result of the skin stretching due to swelling and added volume, as well as licking your lips more often after fillers, or because of the lip products you’ve been using.

If your lips are looking and feeling uncomfortably dry, here’s what you can do:

  • Apply a thick ointment, like white petroleum jelly, several times during the day
  • Apply moisturizing ingredients like vitamin E, ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and shea butter
  • Drink plenty of water
  • Stick to non-irritating lip balms and lipsticks that are fragrance free and hypoallergenic
  • Avoid ingredients that dry or irritate the lips, such as eucalyptus, menthol, and salicylic acid

Need more advice on aftercare for lip injections? Our Tucson-area providers at Ironwood Dermatology can guide you on everything that’s involved in healing and maintenance for lip fillers. Call 520.618.1630, or submit a contact form to request a consultation.