This is a 38-year-old female who was being seen by Andrea Thompson PA-C for soft tissue augmentation of vermilion lips with Juvederm Ultra XC. She has had fillers one and a half years previously. She received 1cc of Juvederm Ultra XC. Andrea’s patient loves the look of her fuller lips. Last set of after pictures were taken a week after injection.

Vermillion lips are named for the colored portion of your lips. This tissue is thin with a lot of blood vessels present. The vermilion border is the line just above the colored portion that connects the lip tissue to the rest of your face. As you age, your lips experience a loss of soft tissue, resulting in thinner lips without height or definition. Combined with skin damage from UV exposure, wrinkles, or scarring, this tissue loss contributes to an aged appearance.

Lip augmentation or lip filler is a cosmetic procedure that can give you fuller, plumper lips.

Bruising post injection is common. With this patient, bruising was completely gone one week post injection. There are several ways the chance of bruising can be reduced.

1. Before treatment, avoid medications or supplements with blood-thinning effects - stop taking aspirin, NSAIDs (e.g., Advil®, Motrin®, naproxen, ibuprofen), and any supplements that also act as mild blood thinners at least two weeks prior to treatment. Common supplements to avoid before treatment include vitamin E, St. John’s Wort, garlic, turmeric, chia seeds, Ginkgo Biloba, and flaxseed oil (and other oils high in omega-3 fatty acids). It’s best to talk to your doctor before stopping any regular medications.
2. Eliminate alcohol before and after treatment for 24 hours - alcohol acts as a vasodilator — it causes blood vessels to relax and open.
3. Try taking Arnica before and after treatment - a perennial, flowering plant that has been used for centuries to treat a variety of conditions, including bruising and swelling. Taking an Arnica supplement 4-5 days before and after your treatment can help keep bruising at bay.
4. Apply ice or cold packs to the affected areas during and after treatment - Ice and cold packs constrict blood vessels and slow the flow of blood to injection sites. As a result, the risk of bruising from injections is reduced. As an added bonus, applying packs just before treatment numbs the area and may alleviate discomfort from the needles.
5. Avoid vigorous exercise for 2 days after treatment - an increased heart rate and the blood flow it brings could increase bruising.

There are many types of dermal fillers that can be injected in your lips and around your mouth. But the most common fillers today are products that contain substances similar to hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid is a natural substance found in the body. It helps increase volume in your lips.

These types of dermal fillers are sometimes called "hyaluronic acid fillers."

Hyaluronic acid fillers can improve the appearance of your lips by adding:

• Shape
• Structure
• Volume

Benefits of Hyaluronic Acid Fillers

Once injected, the gel in the filler supports and shapes the tissues of the lips.

The benefits of using hyaluronic acid fillers include:

Control over lip volume. The amount of substance injected can be controlled, so the doctor has better control over how much lip volume is created.

Gradual pace of treatment. The injections can be given gradually during different appointments until the desired results are achieved.

Bumps dissolve easily. Any lumps and bumps created by movement of the lips can be dissolved easily.

Less bruising. There may be less bruising and swelling compared to other dermal fillers.

Reasonably lasting results. The results are reasonably long-lasting, but not permanent.

Allergic reaction unlikely. Because hyaluronic acid fillers are made from substances similar to those found in the body, they are unlikely to cause an allergic reaction. But if you are allergic to lidocaine, tell your doctor before being treated.

Learn more about injectables.

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