Lips are one of the most important features on our faces. In recent years, full-looking lips have been highly sought after, and many search for lip plumping methods to enhance their beauty. There are many ways to increase the thickness of the lips. Many use makeup and natural solutions, while others opt for lip filler injections. Nowadays, with advancements in technology, you will find that there are also non-invasive options like laser lip plumping to get fuller, pinker lips that are bound to make everyone swoon.

Statistics show that about 27,000 lip augmentation procedures were performed in the year 2000. Imagine this: a lip augmentation procedure performed nearly every 20 minutes.

In today’s generation, thick, full lips are the running trend for ideal lips. The image of pouty, full lips represents allure, mystery and health so it’s natural that many have deviated towards this. However, since beauty trends and standards in society are always shifting, making changes to our features is still something we should carefully consider.

A point to note about the treatments we will discuss here is that these changes are not permanent and this allows you to have fuller lips for some time before they dissipate back to normal.

In this article, we will compare the lip filler treatment and the Fotona Liplase Laser Lip Plumping treatment we offer at Cambridge Medical.

Lip Fillers

Lip filler injections are a minimally invasive cosmetic treatment that can be carried out with little to no downtime recovery. This treatment helps to add volume and definition to our lips, improves lip symmetry and treats vertical lip lines.

Fillers are made from natural or biocompatible compounds like hyaluronic acid. This treatment is easy to administer with instant results and is ideal for those seeking semi-permanent changes to their features.

Hyaluronic acid, a natural compound used in this treatment, is found in abundance in our body tissues. Most treatments will use HA as it is safe and produces satisfying results as a lip filler. [1]

Another possible natural compound that can be used is collagen [2] but we must note is extracted from animals which could pose a risk for allergic and inflammatory reactions. Before you undergo the treatment using collagen, an allergy test will be done to determine if you are suitable for it.

For more information on the treatment, visit our Lip Fillers page. Be sure to consult your doctor before any treatments or cosmetic procedures for a better gauge if the treatment is suitable for you.

The Pros and Cons of Lip Fillers

As with all aesthetic procedures, there are always advantages and disadvantages. These are general benefits and downsides of the treatment but you might have some unique ones if you have already had a consultation with the doctor.

Some Pros of Lip Fillers:

• Minimally invasive procedure
• Temporary and reversible
• Easily performed on the lips
• Little recovery time
• Customisable to your needs

Some Cons Of Lip Fillers:

• Can be costly
• Needs to be retouched since it isn’t permanent
• Risk of allergies
• Possibility of experiencing unexpected results
• May cause bruising

Fotona Liplase Laser Lip Plumping

This treatment works through the transmission of a single sub-second long pulse sequence where the surface tissue will stimulate new collagen production, improving the elasticity and texture within the lips in six to seven pulses. Should a deeper collagen stimulation be needed, the treatment can also be done intra-orally on the inside of the lips. This might sound painful but is entirely painless.

Clients will be able to see results immediately after the first session. Each treatment lasts 15 minutes. For best results, we recommend 6 sessions, where the first 3 sessions are spaced 2 weeks apart, and the other 3 at an interval of one month apart as maintenance. Results can last up to 12 months.

For more information on the treatment, visit our Fotona Liplase Laser Lip Plumping page. Be sure to consult your doctor before any treatments or cosmetic procedures for a better gauge if the treatment is suitable for you.

Anyone who wishes for hydrated, fuller and lighter lips, as well as those who have dull, dark or smokers lips, are suitable for this treatment.

The Pros and Cons of the Fotona LipLase Laser Lip Plumping Treatment

Although this procedure is much less invasive than lip fillers for some, it still comes with its benefits and drawbacks. Depending on your lifestyle, these may or may not apply to you and the list may change based on your own body.

The Benefits of the Fotona LipLase Laser Lip Plumping Treatment:

• Hydrated and plumper lips
• Stimulates collagen production
• Lightens smoker’s lips and changes natural lip colour to a pinker tone
• Smoothens wrinkles around the mouth
• Defines the cupid’s bow
• Volumises the lips
• Natural-looking results
• Visible results after the first session

Some Drawbacks of the Treatment:

• Requires six sessions
• Slight superficial peeling on the second or third day after treatment
• Spicy food and extremely hot liquids cannot be consumed for three days

Lip Fillers and Fotona LipLase Laser Lip Plumping

Now that we have gone through the details of the lip filler procedure, we can now realistically compare the two treatments. They sound relatively similar in being able to achieve the results you’ll like but are actually quite different in the treatment process.

With Fotona LipLase, you’ll be able to see a more natural and softer result because it uses what your body has already rather than injecting something else. While lip fillers do give the lips an instant and visible result, it only lasts for around four to six months and requires constant maintenance. This can be tedious in the long run as it can be expensive to keep up with the treatments.

However, with Fotona LipLase, you will see a more gradual incline in the result you would like for six months. Although not as instantaneous as lip fillers, your lips will appear softer, lighter and plumper.

Not to mention that lip fillers are partially invasive while the Fotona LipLase is not, making the latter a suitable procedure for those who are not partial to injections or any treatment that might be invasive.

As with all types of procedures, it is important to consult with your doctor regarding your qualification before making a decision that you might otherwise not agree with. They will be able to let you know what the benefits and drawbacks are and if it is best for you at this point in your life.

1. Yazdanparast, T., Samadi, A., Hasanzadeh, H., Nasrollahi, S. A., Firooz, A., & Kashani, M. N. (2017). Assessment of the Efficacy and Safety of Hyaluronic Acid Gel Injection in the Restoration of Fullness of the Upper Lips. Journal of cutaneous and aesthetic surgery, 10(2), 101–105. https://doi.org/10.4103/JCAS.JCAS_115_16
2. Zhao, P., Zhao, W., Zhang, K., Lin, H., & Zhang, X. (2020). Polymeric injectable fillers for cosmetology: Current status, future trends, and regulatory perspectives. Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 137(25), 48515.