Lip Dermal Filler Treatments
Dr Jemma Gewargis
Lead Trainer at the Aesthetic Foundation Academy
Lip dermal filler treatment is an exceptionally popular treatment and is second in popularity to botulinum toxin injections within non-invasive aesthetic treatments. The desired aesthetic goals and techniques continue to change and adapt, and so it is important that practitioners upkeep their training and knowledge regularly to be at the forefront within the industry.
Anatomy
The lip line, known as the vermillion border, is the line that demarcates the mucosa of the lip and the skin of the face. The Philtrum is the midpoint of the cutaneous lip and the Cupid’s Bow is to the base of the philtrum. Within the lip itself, the tubercules of the lip indicate the regions of desired enhanced volume. These external landmarks play an important role in the augmentation of lips with dermal filler to achieve an aesthetic result.
The lip is highly vascularized, and hence a safe technique is paramount in treating them. The facial artery branches into the superior and inferior labial arteries within the submucosa, which provide the main blood supply to the lips. Awareness of these anatomical landmarks is vital to safe and successful treatment.
A plump and full look to the lip with defined borders is considered attractive and desirable. With age, the volume of the lips depletes, and there is a loss of definition around the borders of the lips.
Consultation Skills
Prior to treatment, the consultation for lip filler forms an integral part of determining and managing expectations of treatment. It is crucial to carry out a full medical history and assessment to ensure safe and effective dermal filler.
Patient Examination and Preparation for Lip Treatment
The Golden Ratio is commonly used to describe the ‘aesthetic ideal’ of lip size. Within our Lip Filler masterclass course we explore this in detail and also ethnic and gender variations, which need to be considered. It is important to assess patients on an individual basis when treating the lips, to ensure balance and harmony with the rest of the face.
Techniques
The most commonly used techniques for lip dermal filler include linear threading and bolus technique of filler deposition. During our classroom and practical session, we also explore the fanning; cross-hatching and serial puncture techniques, which can be employed for different aesthetic outcomes and different lip types.
Potential Complications and Management
Due to the popularity of this treatment, complications occur more commonly with the lips and hence it is essential to be well informed and prepared to manage them. Complications such as bruising, redness, lumpiness and swelling are commonplace. Less common complications include infection, allergy, Tyndall effect, delayed onset nodules, migration, asymmetry and Vascular Occlusion, which is one of the most serious of them all. Compromise to the blood supply can result in tissue blanching, necrosis and potentially vision loss, and hence practitioners should feel confident in minimizing the risk of these complications as well as being able to treat them.
Training
At the Aesthetic Foundation Academy we are proud to offer a comprehensive and detailed lip dermal filler masterclass course. Our tutorial presentation encompasses an extensive insight into lip filler treatments, technique, expectations and complications management. We support our delegates to ensure they are competent and confident in treating this popular area. By providing model patients to treat within our small group practical sessions, our delegates gain maximum exposure to providing lip filler treatments and explore different techniques to achieve the best results.
To find out more about facial aesthetic training with the Aesthetic Foundation Academy, visit www.aestheticfoundationacademy.co.uk or email in at enquiries@aestheticfoundationacademy.co.uk
