If you’re looking for a quick and pain-free way to plump up your pout, there’s no doubt that lip filler is a highly effective treatment with potentially amazing results.
As a non-surgical injection, though, the procedure should always be undertaken with a high degree of caution to minimise the risk of complications and ensure your safety both during and after your appointment. While a skilled injector will take every precaution necessary, there are several common side effects to be aware of to help keep you informed if you are considering treatment. Lip filler migration is one of the most frequently observed post-procedure complications.
This blog post will cover the identifying factors of lip filler migration, the steps a skilled injector will take to avoid it and how to treat the condition if it does present itself post-injection.
The transformative effects of lip fillers
Lip fillers are predominantly administered to restore and add volume and involve the injection of a gel-like substance into specifically targeted areas to achieve the desired results. Primarily inspired by enduring celebrity trends, full and luscious lips have long been on the wishlist of women and men throughout the western world. The treatment is also highly sought-after for its ability to improve balance and symmetry and reduce the appearance of wrinkles in ageing lips. With little to no downtime and almost instantaneous results, it’s no wonder that the procedure is often favoured over its intensive surgical alternative.
What is lip filler migration?
As the name suggests, lip filler migration refers to the filler substance unintentionally spreading or moving away from its original injection site. The side effect creates an unnatural and distorted look and is generally easy to spot.
If you experience lip filler migration, the most likely reason is your injector’s lack of experience. Separation occurs when too much filler is injected, or a poor technique is used, such as placing injections too close together or injecting the wrong parts of the lips. Since the injection site can’t accommodate the substance administered, it is forced to break away and spread into neighbouring areas. The lips are one of the most common areas for filler migration due to their delicacy and sensitivity.
Because of the popularity and efficacy of lip injections, it can be tempting to book regular top-up treatments to keep your pout looking plump. Practitioners with a lack of expertise will often use the same amount of filler every time, which is one of the most common causes of lip filler migration. A skilled and knowledgeable injector who prioritises patient safety will always assess the need for top-up procedures and the amount of filler to be administered on a case-by-case basis.
How to avoid lip filler migration
Although it does not generally cause pain or discomfort, uneven filler is not the outcome you expect or, indeed, pay for, and it can cause you a significant level of inconvenience. If you have booked your treatment ahead of a special occasion or holiday event, complications from your dermal filler procedure are understandably the last thing you want to deal with.
For these reasons, you will want to take the necessary steps to reduce the risks of becoming victim to an underqualified or botched practitioner. The best way to avoid migration or any other complications is to conduct sufficient research on your injector, their qualifications, and the clinic you’ll be attending before committing to your non-surgical procedure. In addition to a solid clinical portfolio, before and after images of past patients and extensive social proof in the form of verified patient reviews, any prospective injector should offer a full consultation before treatment as standard. During this appointment, you will be asked to provide a complete medical and aesthetic history and details of your desired results to allow your practitioner to declare you suitable for the procedure and create a personalised treatment plan suited to your needs.
Identifying and treating lip filler migration
Firstly, knowing the difference between lip filler migration and the normal swelling that occurs after all non-surgical injections is helpful. While your lips may appear slightly red and bruised for the few days following your treatment, they should not look or feel uneven or bumpy. Your injector should provide you with detailed aftercare guidance, which you should carefully follow to allow your lips to heal and ensure the best results.
If you do experience complications, you should immediately contact your practitioner and request an urgent appointment. It is essential to be seen by an experienced aesthetics professional, so if you have any concerns about your injector’s qualifications, it is far better to cut your losses and seek out a reputable clinic with a skilled aesthetician who can safely and effectively manage your complications.
Are you interested in lip enhancement?
At Acquisition Aesthetics, we offer significantly discounted botulinum toxin, dermal filler and medical-grade skincare treatments to model patients whilst upholding the exceptional quality you’d expect to receive in a leading aesthetics clinic.
Treatments are administered by advanced medical professionals and closely supervised by our expert faculty of aesthetic trainers. With maximum flexibility for our model patients in mind, all of our procedures can be booked at state-of-the-art training centres at various city centre locations throughout the UK and Ireland. To find out more about the treatments we offer or book an upcoming date, call our team on 0203 514 8757 or email models@acquisitionaesthetics.co.uk.
