About to book a lip filler appointment? Read this first
Her now-viral video has stirred up conversations around non-invasive beauty treatments - Is it just a bad reaction? Is it safe enough to risk? The concerns are real, and honestly, valid.Before getting a lip filler, remember...First things first: fillers and Botox are not the same. These are two cosmetic procedures that are often used interchangeably, even though they serve very different purposes.Botox, a purified neurotoxin, acts by temporarily paralysing facial muscles, effectively smoothing out dynamic wrinkles such as frown lines. On the other hand, dermal fillers, often composed of hyaluronic acid (HA), are injected to reinstate lost volume, enhance lips, and fill in deeper lines or hollows.Wait. This is not it. There's more. If you are planning to book that appointment for fuller lips, here's what dermatologists say you need to keep in mind.Know the process, trust the handsBefore injecting anything into the body, doing the homework is of great essence. Start by understanding the process.Fillers come in three types: temporary (HA-based), semi-permanent, and permanent. Dr. Viral Desai, cosmetic plastic and hair transplant surgeon and medical director at DHI India, explains the technicalities. He notes that HA fillers are cross-linked with a molecule called BDDE (Butanediol diglycidyl ether)."Plain hyaluronic acid will dissolve within a day and won't last. Cross-linking extends its life to anywhere between two to eight months," he explains.He strongly advises against permanent or semi-permanent fillers and recommends starting small. "Always begin with a minimal quantity, see if you're happy, and then top up gradually."Finding the right, trusted professional is just as important."Always go to a certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon who knows how to appropriately administer the filler to the right tissue. The knowledge of your facial structure is critical, what works for one person might not suit your anatomy. Also, patients must understand that fillers are meant to enhance, not transform," says Dr. Khushboo Jha, chief dermatologist consultant at Metro Hospital and founder of One Skin Clinic, Faridabad.Dr. Desai echoes the warning: "If not placed correctly, fillers can cause lumps or, in rare cases, even lead to blindness. So yes, one has to be extremely careful. But when done right, they are safe and typically cause no harm."advertisementBut what if you fall out of love with the look, or worse, it somehow becomes a cosmetic nightmare?Dissolving fillersExperts say problems usually arise when people go overboard with fillers or use semi-permanent and permanent ones.Yes, you can fix a filler job gone wrong. But it doesn't come without side effects. For Uorfi, it was misaligned lips, what started as a fix for laughlines ended in pain, swelling, and what looked like an allergic reaction.So, how does the dissolving process work?'Hyaluronidase, the dissolving enzyme, can sting or burn when injected. It may feel like a deep ache or sharp burn for a few seconds per injection,' says Dr. Garima Tyagi, dermatologist at SENS Clinic.advertisementShe adds that there's no lidocaine (numbing agent) in hyaluronidase unless your injector mixes it in.Even if you're set on dissolving the filler, keep the following in mind:Get an allergy test first. Dr. Jha warns that hyaluronidase can cause rare allergic reactions.Expect pain and bruising. Especially on lips, where the skin is thinner and more vascular.Results can take 24–72 hours to show, but full breakdown may take up to a week. Multiple sessions might be needed depending on the filler amount and how old it is.Temporary lumps may occur.Wait 2–4 weeks after dissolving before refilling to let swelling subside and tissues heal.Age, time and frequencyIf you are not satisfied with the filler or find any complications, you can dissolve it immediately. There is no fixed 'right time' to dissolve the filler. But is there a right time to get fillers done? Experts say yes."Generally, these procedures are not recommended below the age of 21."Dr. Desai explains that lips naturally lose volume as we age. Therefore, doing fillers at an older age may look good. But sometimes, young patients also have uneven lips or a less defined cupid's bow. In those cases, even at a young age, the fillers can be done.advertisementDoes that mean you can do it as many times as you want? Not really.If you keep doing it repeatedly, the trauma from the needle may cause some amount of hardening of the tissues called fibrosis. It is not very significant, though. "Generally, do not keep dissolving fillers repeatedly. If you are not sure, then don't do them in the first place," Dr Desai notes.All of this at what cost?Of course, all this comes with a hefty price tag.As for the cost, a session of HA-based lip fillers can range between Rs 18,000 to Rs 30,000. On the other hand, dissolving them using hyaluronidase may cost anywhere between Rs 6,000 to Rs 15,000. However, the cost may vary depending on the area treated and the number of sessions required.Bottom lineIt is a personal choice and there's no judgment around getting cosmetic procedures as long as you're informed and follow the right steps. The right product in the hands of the right doctor, experts say, rarely causes trouble."Celebrity influence affects an individual a lot, but the whole problem is that you should know what is too much, and you should stop," Dr Desai concludes.- EndsTrending Reel
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