As we age, there is a natural breakdown of collagen, elastin and fat in the skin. The result of this breakdown is volume loss and visible signs of ageing including lines, creases and wrinkles.
Dermal fillers are an injectable treatment, specifically designed to replace this volume loss and help rejuvenate the site of injection – creating a more youthful appearance.
The most popular injection site for dermal fillers is the lips. Dr Raman at BTX London has been performing lip enhancement treatments for over 15 years.
What are Dermal Fillers?
The first reported attempt at lip augmentation dates back to 1906 when surgeons injected liquid paraffin into the lips. This proved unsuccessful and doctors had to look for an alternative.
In the 1960s and 70s collagen became the product of choice for lip enhancement. Unfortunately, the collagen had to be derived from pigs and cows and the risk of allergic reaction was as high as 1 in 20 patients.
The breakthrough in fillers came in the 2000s with the development of Hyaluronic acid (HA) based fillers. HA is a naturally occurring substance in the body and is a hydrophilic molecule that attracts water into it which therefore helps keep skin hydrated and moisturised. As HA occurs naturally in the skin, the injection of HA no longer carried the risks of reacting to the product and has proven to be extremely safe.
Are lip filler injections safe?
When tackling this question we need to address a number of areas:
What filler (materials): As mentioned the use of collagen proved to be unsafe with a high risk of allergic reaction.
With the introduction and popularity of HA fillers, the market has grown significantly in recent years with many companies producing HA-based fillers. It is crucial that only the highest grade FDA-approved dermal fillers are used when having a lip augmentation treatment. Dr Raman is a fully qualified doctor who only uses the most reputable brands on the market.
Unfortunately, the Aesthetic Industry is largely unregulated in the UK which means that unqualified practitioners have entered the market. There have been reports of practitioners injecting cheap non-FDA-approved products into patients with severe allergic reactions or even permanent disfigurement the unfortunate consequence. This is one of the reasons we strongly recommend seeking out a fully qualified medical practitioner when having a dermal filler treatment.
Qualification and Experience: The injection of dermal fillers into the skin requires a detailed knowledge of facial anatomy. We recommend that you seek out a fully qualified medical doctor who has studied anatomy and has a detailed understanding of the blood vessels and muscles of the face.
Dermal fillers injected incorrectly can result in negative results such as lumpiness, bumps and uneven lips. However, the greatest risk associated with dermal fillers is the injection of filler into a blood vessel causing potential obstruction of blood flow which can have severe side effects such as skin necrosis or even blindness.
It is for these reasons that we strongly recommend seeking out a medically trained professional for your treatment. Not only will the doctor have a detailed understanding of the facial anatomy and location of the blood vessels, but they will also be trained to quickly treat a potential vascular event in the rare possibility of this happening.
While it may be tempting to go to an unqualified friend who may be offering a lip treatment or a cheap advert offering fillers for a hugely discounted price, please save yourself the risk of a potentially serious complication and seek out an experienced, qualified practitioner.
Dr Raman is a fully qualified medical doctor with over 15 years of aesthetic injecting experience. He has injected thousands of lips over the years and only uses the best brands on the market. He has developed his techniques over this time and regularly attends global conferences and courses to keep up to date on the latest advances in the speciality.
Feel free to book in with Dr Raman for a no-obligation consultation with us at BTX London in Clapham.