Best Dermatologist for Lip Injections in San Francisco
If you are looking for lip filler injections in the San Francisco Bay Area, CA the California Center for Dermatologic Surgery is here to help. Whether you are looking to restore lost lip volume to achieve subtly fuller lips, address lip asymmetry or fine lines and wrinkles around the mouth, or simply looking to achieve better lip definition and proportions for a more harmonious pout, our board-certified dermatologist, Dr. Ekama Carlson has the expertise to deliver exceptional and natural-looking results. Call to Book Your Appointment for Consultation Today or read on to learn more about lip filler injections at the California Center for Dermatologic Surgery.
What to Expect
As we age, our lips undergo natural changes that can affect their appearance. The most noticeable of these changes is thin lips due to gradual loss of lip volume, appearance of fine lines around the lip, and elongation of the lip due to sagging. Loss of volume in the lips is a natural result of the aging process, due to gradual loss of fat, collagen and elastin all of which are responsible for maintaining the substance and plumpness of the lips, as well as gradual loss of bone in the jaw which normally contributes to the outward projection of the lips. The result of this aging process is lips that are thinner, flatter, less projected, and more elongated, with a less defined or turned down lip border due to sagging over time. This volume loss, combined with repetitive movements of the lips and surrounding facial muscles over time also result in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles predominantly on the upper lip, but could also appear around the lower lip as well, commonly referred to as lip lines, smoker’s lines and lipstick lines.
While there are many cosmetic surgery options for lip enhancement, for example using plastic surgery procedures such as fat transfer or fat grafting to targeted areas of the lip to replace lost volume, lip injections with dermal filler are a great, minimally-invasive option for cosmetic treatment of the aging lip in persons who wish to avoid more invasive lip augmentation surgery procedures. Unlike other invasive lip augmentation procedures, lip filler injections can be conveniently done in the medical office or clinic, while the patient is awake, with minimal pain or discomfort to the patient.
Lip filler injection treatments are done under local anesthesia. First, a topical anesthetic is applied to the skin in the office for several minutes to ensure patient comfort during the procedure. The skin and injection sites are thoroughly cleaned to minimize the risk of an infection. Most injectable fillers are manufactured pre-mixed with a lidocaine anesthetic, further ensuring a nearly painless procedure during the injection. The injectable filler, typically a hyaluronic acid filler gel, is then injected into either the body of the lip to enhance the lip shape, contour, symmetry, and fullness, and/or along the lip border to achieve improved definition of the lip, and/or into the wrinkles and fine lines around the lip for softening of these lines for a more youthful appearance. There is minimal downtime associated with the procedure, although temporary redness, swelling or bruising may occur, which improves with application of ice and gradually resolves over the subsequent few days after the procedure. In the event of bruising, your doctor may advise you to avoid strenuous activities during the recovery period for up to 1 week to avoid worsening bruising. In almost all cases however, you can generally expect to resume your regular activities soon after the procedure.
Types of Lip Dermal Fillers
When it comes to lip augmentation, many different types of dermal fillers may be used to achieve desired results, each with unique characteristics, longevity, and potential side effects. Fillers with hyaluronic acid (HA) as the main active ingredient are the most popular dermal fillers used for lip augmentation due to their natural-looking results and safety profile. HA is a gel-like substance naturally found in the skin that provides hydration, volume, plumpness and structure to the skin due to its ability to draw in and bind to water in the skin. Because of its status as a naturally occurring compound in skin, the use of HA fillers in the lips when performed by an experienced and well-trained board-certified dermatologist or cosmetic surgeon, produces the most natural results.
At the California Center for Dermatologic Surgery, we are committed to providing cosmetic treatments that are effective, safe, and well-studied for the best patient outcomes. While we offer several different types of hyaluronic acid lip dermal fillers, each with varying characteristics such as the molecular weight (how heavy the product is), viscosity (how easily it flows), and the amount of crosslinking which affects the longevity of the product, the use of each of these different types of fillers is customized to the individual patient depending on their cosmetic needs. All lip filler products used at the California Center for Dermatologic Surgery are FDA approved with well-established safety records, and proven efficacy. Read below to find out more about the different types of dermal lip fillers we offer.
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Juvéderm Volbella is a lower weight hyaluronic acid compared to other Juvederm filler products. Because of its smaller weight, use of this product in the lips by an experienced dermatologist or surgeon, allows for a subtle improvement, without over-plumping or over-projection. It is also used to soften deep wrinkles around the mouth such as smokers and Marionette lines. Results using this product last up to one year.
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The RHA collection of lip fillers includes RHA2 which is used to add volume and projection to the lips, and RHA Redensity, which is the only FDA-approved hyaluronic acid filler specifically formulated for correction and softening of dynamic perioral fine lines and wrinkles, which are lines that appear with repetitive movement of facial muscles over many years. In the lips, these dynamic lines are commonly referred to as smoker’s lines or lipstick lines. This choice of dermal fillers is designed to be resilient enough to adapt to movement, and thus is a good option for lip augmentation, as it allows for a more natural look both when the lips are at rest and in motion. Results last 6 to 12 months.
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Restylane silk is a thinner and smoother hyaluronic acid product than others in the Restylane collection of products, that is used for softening of peri-oral wrinkles commonly referred to as “smokers’ lines”. Results last for up to 6 months.
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Restylane Kysse is a soft hyaluronic acid product that is used to improve volume of the lips. This product is also used for softening of peri-oral wrinkles commonly referred to as “smokers’ lines”
Is Non-surgical Lip Augmentation with Fillers Right for Me?
The best way to determine if you are a good candidate for non-surgical lip augmentation with dermal fillers is to schedule a consultation with a board-certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon. During the consultation, your doctor will discuss your aesthetic goals and concerns, assess your lips, facial features, review your health history and provide personalized recommendations of the best solutions to achieve optimal results based on your unique needs. In general, lip fillers should not be used in patients who have a history of allergic reactions to fillers in the past, or who have an allergy to lidocaine anesthetic contained in these products.
Before and After Photos
Curious about the type of results that can be achieved with lip filler injections? Check out our gallery below. Individual results may vary.
Our Office Serves the Entire San Francisco Bay Area Including Oakland, Berkeley, Marin County, the Peninsula and Beyond
We are proud to serve patients from all over the San Francisco Bay Area, CA at our Pacific Heights location in San Francisco.