Filler for Vertical Lip Lines from Hell

Introduction:

Okay, so just over a week ago, I decided to fill my upper lip lines. I've had filler in my lips before, but never for “these” lines that are starting to make a permanent home beneath my nose. They are unsightly. My mother has them, now I am getting them too. I do not smoke nor do you need to smoke to get these lines. I think mine are a combination of bad genes and sun damage. So now on to my quest to rid of myself of the vertical lip lines from hell.

Picture Note: Lip is slightly protuding after 5 days post injection, gradually improving.

Background:

I've had several Dr.'s recommend different things for vertical lip lines. From Botox, to fillers, to laser. I'm working on the laser part (see separate new post) but wanted something to soften my dreaded lines in the meantime, so I opted for filler. Restylane was on sale with a reputable Dr. that I see for Fraxel treatment, so I said what the hell.

Results:

First, a few things I wasn’t warned about:

1. For the first week you look like a character from the Simpson's.

Even though I had a dab of filler put into my lower lip my upper lip protruded over my lower lip, I was mor-ti-fied! I tried to avoid eye contact or offering and long profile views to my co-workers this week in fear they would notice the ridiculous upper lip. The reason for this is because the swelling above your lip cause a protrusion and it looks plain weird. Like maybe a monkey’s pout or something, not sexy at all.

2. Filler in your upper lip lines does not really help.

I think filler in the lip line itself reduces the appearance of lines around your mouth, but anywhere else is a waste of filler. I do not see any dramatic reduction in smoker’s lines above my lip.

So day 8, which happens to be the hubby's and I Valentine's Day observed, my lips look very nice, especially all dressed up. :D It was a scary week for me, but I'm happy with my "temporary" results of my lips themselves, but not the smoker’s lines, which are still there. :(

Bottom Line:

Filler in for vertical lip lines or "smoker’s lines" is a waste of money. I would only recommend filler in the lip lines to enhance your natural lip line as well as reduce the lines which causes feathering of lipstick and gloss around your lips. Put the extra filler somewhere else like your tear troughs - filler there can last 2x as long as in your lips.