As you guys know by now, I’m not afraid to try new things to enhance my appearance and fight the signs of aging. Nor am I too vain to talk about any procedures that I’ve had. I like procedures that keep things looking natural rather than procedures that are quite obvious. I’m not hiding anything and never have. I prefer to share my experiences in the hopes that they can help someone else. I hate the vertical lines around my lips more than anything in this aging process (so far). I decided to have fillers put in the lines around my lips in hopes that they would disappear.
My latest adventure includes half of a syringe of a recently new to the market product called Restylane Silk. This new product is from Galderma, the makers of the regular Restylane product. This time I actually had a combination of both the Silk and regular Restylane. Both of these products are made of hyaluronic acid which is naturally produced by the human body, therefore it is accepted well. The Restylane Silk is a thinner hyaluronic acid product that is designed to be used in and around the lips and I believe it’s the only one on the market at this time designed for this purpose. It’s supposed to be smoother and not cause lumps and bumps like Restylane and other fillers can. However, it doesn’t build volume as well, hence the reason that we used both types for this go round. I had only one-quarter of a syringe of the regular Restylane to add a tiny bit of volume to the top lip. Therefore, a total of three-fourths of a syringe of products are now in and around my lips.
To prepare for the procedure I took Bromelain tablets and Arnica Montana (both are natural remedies for bruising and swelling. I also ate lots of pineapple, which contains bromelain. The pictures below are a progression of how things panned out for me. The first pictures are before and immediately after the injections. Right after the procedure the lips look fairly normal. However, both of the products attract water from within the body and swelling is to be expected but temporary. Scroll down for my “yikes” picture. It also helps to also apply ice packs often to reduce the swelling, which I did for the first 24 hours or so.
Top – Before – Notice the vertical lines above the lips Bottom – Immediately following the injections
Approximately 8 hours following injections
The next morning is when the most swelling occurs. It looks like I ran into a wall. I call this my “yikes” picture.
I continued taking the Bromelian extract from the health food store and Arnica Montana tablets to keep swelling and bruising at bay. I was also told to drink a lot of water and to wear lip gloss on my lips to keep the moisture in. I’m not trying to achieve a full pouty lip. What I’d like is to soften the lines around my lips. I’m realistic. A better and smoother appearance is what I want, not perfection.
Day 3 – Despite the bruising, I see an improved appearance in the lines above my lips
Day 4 – Swelling is gone. Bruising is subsiding.
Verdict: Overall I’m pretty happy with this procedure. To be honest, I’d like a fuller top lip and would probably have additional product added next time I do this. Unfortunately, the filler usually doesn’t last more than six months. It is absorbed and metabolized by the body. For very little down time and a fairly low cost (about $400), I’d say that this procedure is worth it. I always recommend doing your research and finding a qualified person to administer the fillers.
What do you think? If you’ve had this or something else done for lip lines please let me know as I continue searching for the best procedure to conquer my vertical lip line dilemma.
Habits of People with Great Skin
12 MUST HAVE Luxury Picks for the Sephora Sale
Changes to Make in Your Beauty Routine as You Age
Sephora Luster Matte Long Wear Lip Color
Hi Stacie–thank you for the lip tips–have had Botox in upper lip–like results too and it keeps smile less gummy–Patricia Wexler advocates what you did–you MUST get my favorite book…THE MAKEUP WAKEUP by Lois Joy Johnson and Sandy Linter–I read (and retread) it like a novel !
I need to try Botox in that area again. I had it once and I saw no difference except that I had a hard time eating. Haha! I’m going to get the book you recommend. Thanks for recommending! Stacie xo
Very interesting. Thanks for sharing. I hate looking in the mirror & seeing lines creeping up. You look great! #bebeautiful xo
Thanks Jewel! For me it’s those lip lines that I hate the most. Thanks for stopping by! Stacie xo
Hi Stacie, Thanks for sharing your experience with fillers. I have the same problem with vertical lip lines. I have tried juvaderm in the past. It improved the lines BUT I doubt I would do it again. It was painful, took 2 weeks for the bruising to go away and it lasted about 6 months and you have to repeat the whole process. I read dermabrasion and laser CO2 are the two ways to get rid of them permanently. Have you looked into these options? I am currently checking into dermabrasion, and dermapen. Lasers scare me so don’t think I will be doing that one.
Thanks again for sharing your experiences!
Tracey
Hi Tracey, I didn’t think the micropen treatments did anything to help the lines. Oh no about your experience with fillers. I had no pain at all because they use a great numbing cream. I had slight bruising but it was gone in just a few days. I ate tons of pineapple, took the Bromelain and Arnica. I’m thinking of investing in a dermaroller next to see if I can help build new collagen in the area. I think I’m going to try a bit of botox to the area again as well. Keep me updated and I’ll do the same. Stacie xo
Stacie recently posted…Friday Favorites
I so want my lips done. I swear I have the world’s smallest lips. I wouldn’t mind my smile lines too. hehe
Tiki recently posted…Date Night Makeup with Maybelline The Falsies Push Up Drama Mascara
I’m seriously considering going for the plump lip look too. It goes away in a few months time so it’s not permanent if I hate it. Thanks for stopping by! Stacie xo
Stacie recently posted…No Worries, No Sweat Foundation Review
Injectable fillers like Restylane do work – I had them many times – but new lines are always being created, so this problem can never be permanently solved unless you use another treatment after the fillers. For the last 6 months, i have been using the Somaluxe Lip Rescue – and I have NO NEW LIP LINES. The product has collagen in it, and it does plump out my lips and keeps the restalyne last longer.
I haven’t done the lip line filler for quite some time. I really think it helps, but I developed this crazy anxiety over the whole needle thing. LOL! I’ll look into the product you recommend. Thanks for sharing! Stacie xo
Stacie recently posted…Wrinkle Free: 4 Cosmetic Tips For A Younger Looking You