The most common Lip Fillers (Restylane, Hylaform, Captique) are all composed of hyaluronic acid, a naturally occurring substance in skin. They pretty much give equivalent results.
While we have all seen the freakish outcomes in celebrities, here is the other side with a modest enlargement. This patient was injected twice two weeks apart with about half a single unit each time to get the results you see a week after the second injection. She had no bruising and was out and about the evening after each injection. There is swelling that resolves, but in modest enlargements, no trout and no fat lip.
Best Regards,
John Di Saia MD
Hyaluronic acid (HA) gels last anywhere from 2-3 months. They resorb slowly. I no longer offer collagen (so I don’t know what this costs), but these HA gels are sold by the syringe which costs $300. The lady pictured had one syringe. Fat injections swell much more and resorb similarly. There is also the issue of the donor site when using fat transfer and the cost is more (a few times the $$$$).
There’s a really small almost imperceptible difference and as others have mentioned this is someone whose lips looked fine to begin with.
Interesting I did not get answers to my questions about how long it lasts and how this sizes up vs. other methods. I hope the good doctor can find a few minutes to answer my pertinent questions.
Actually, there is a distinct difference between the two shots, but you have to look closely, hence the descriptive word ‘modest’, although subtle might have been more accurate.
Check out the following: the ridge line under the nose in the first pic does a very is almost striaght up down with a very slight outward ‘flip’, if you will, on the top of the lip.
In the second pic, this line is very noticeably curved, almost abruptly, if you will.
in the first pic there are some perpendicular lines emanating from the lip into the skin, one very distinctly on the top lip, numerous others not so noticeable on the bottom.
In the second pic, these lines are mere shadows, at best. They are filled out and the lip looks ‘naturally’ fuller.
Modest, subtle, but distinct, if you looking at the detail.
I probably noticed because I have those perpendicular lip lines and NO lips! I bet the other ladies are to young to worry about such things.
Dr. JPD? does it HURT. jeesh. who cares about the $$$…the first question is about the PAIN!!!
I tried collagen once and I there was always some pain and just prior to it being reabsorbed there was some hardening, which was uncomfortable when I stretched my lips at all. Is Hylaform different or does it act in much the same way as collagen?
p.s. I do see the difference and it is nice. I’m all for subtle changes.
Sorry Doc, I’m with Kitty. I see no difference. Do you have a photo of someone with thin lips going to a reasonable size?
Kitty-
Sure there is a difference…a modest difference. There are two alternatives:
(1) No Injections (which is fine)
(2) “Trout pout” Beverly Hills Injection
Like…
http://galleryoftheabsurd.typepad.com/14/2005/06/a_new_species_o.html
Best Regards,
JPD
These pics are close-ups and, yet, there is almost no difference in the lips. I have nothing against anyone trying to feel better about themselves. When I look at these pics I am forced to assume that it was a placebo effect.
How long does it last and how much does it cost? Is it more or less expensive than collagen? Also I have seen microfat injections discussed for lips with pictures showing nice results and would like your thoughts on those vs. the other choices.
Well seeing as nobody “needs” cosmetic work, it is really a matter of the patient finding a doctor willing to do what she wants. This seemed reasonable to me and the patient is happy.
-JPD
This person’s lips were not sliver thin to begin with … they looked nicely normal … so I just don’t understand why the injections?