## How the lips are enlarged Fillers are injected under the skin with the help of a needle or cannula. These fillers are gel-like substances based on hyaluronic acid. This is a natural component of human connective tissue, so fillers take root well. There are preparations based on collagen, but strengthen the red border of the lips more than increase volume. Some fillers contain anesthetic lidocaine. After some time fillers resorb, so the procedure has to be repeated. > If you don't like the effect, fillers can be dissolved by injecting hyaluronidase, an enzyme that breaks down hyaluronic acid. ## What can go wrong Typically, there is still swelling, redness of the lips, and sometimes small bruises for two weeks after the procedure. You cannot avoid this, but the following complications are outside of the norm. The most common problem is ===nodules or bumps on the lips. If they are non-inflammatory, it means that the gel dose is too high, was introduced incorrectly, or is too close to the surface of the lips. If you still have painful inflammatory nodules after a few days or weeks, you need to see a doctor. More serious consequences are possible including skin discoloration, allergic reaction, severe swelling, infection, and even tissue necrosis, i. e. tissue dying off. The latter can occur if the injection of filler got into a vessel or squeezed it, which leads to a violation of the blood supply of tissues. ## Before lip augmentation Filler injection is a medical procedure that should be performed only in a clinic. Pay attention to the price – if the cost is fundamentally below the market rate, you should find another specialist. The clinic must have a license for medical activity, and the specialist should be a certified dermatologist. Most often complications arise due to incorrect selection of the volume of the drug or its injection. The doctor should find out your medical history including any allergies, blood clotting disorders, what cosmetic procedures you have had recently done, and what drugs, vitamins, and supplements you take. The doctor will also tell you about possible side effects, in which case it is necessary to urgently seek help. > Fillers do not combine well with warfarin, aspirin, or ibuprofen. Before the injection, the doctor must show the registration certificate for the drug and its supplement, as well as open the packaging in front of you. After the procedure, ask the doctor for a sticker indicating what filler was injected and in what volume. ## After lip augmentation Follow the doctor's recommendations and call the doctor’s office immediately in case of any alarming symptoms. Avoid sweets, hot drinks, hot baths, and saunas for two weeks to stabilize the drug and promote its proper distribution in the soft tissues. You should also rest and avoid kissing anyone to keep the drug in the injection area. Additionally, use special lipsticks with SPF protection, because the sun's rays have a negative effect on collagen and elastin and contribute to the aging of soft tissues. If your doctor recommends it, do a light massage of the lips after the injection. > Contraindications include infectious diseases, allergies to components or lidocaine, blood clotting disorders, herpes, heart disease, and previously installed implants or fillers.