Injecting techniques for adding definition using Lip Filler

When it comes to lip augmentations, it’s not just about the volume! Adding definition using lip filler is a key skill for aesthetics practitioners to master.

Appropriately treating the vermillion border can elevate your regular lip filler results. However, it can also be a great approach when tackling perioral concerns such as smoker’s lines.

We spoke to clinical trainer and aesthetic medicine specialist, Dr Lindsay Jones for her expert advice...

UNDERSTANDING WHAT A PATIENT MEANS WHEN THEY ASK FOR 'DEFINITION'

“Many patients ask for ‘definition’,” advises Dr Lindsay. “It’s important to first explore through a thorough consultation what they mean by this. As aesthetics practitioners, we need to clearly understand patients’ concerns in order to meet their expectations.”

“To most injectors, ‘definition’ means the vermillion border of the lips, and this is where we would look to treat first.

“The vermillion border is the slightly paler skin around the lip,” she notes. “It separates the pink part of the lip from the facial skin. With continual expression, talking through life and extrinsic factors compromising skin quality, this border becomes less defined. Vertical lines also form.”

HOW DO YOU ASSESS LIP FILLER PATIENTS LOOKING FOR INCREASED DEFINITION?

Dr Lindsay highlights that “most patients are not suitable for vermillion border treatment.”

“They need to have vertical lines that break through the vermillion border in order to be suitable. This is best seen both at rest if severe or on “blowing a kiss” expression, where these vertical lines become most obvious.”

She explains, “Repeated injection through this delicate structure can cause damage and leave a path for filler to migrate outside of the lip boundaries.”

WHEN SHOULD YOU AVOID ADDING DEFINITION TO THE LIPS?

“Avoid vermillion border treatment in patients whose border is intact. If it’s not broken, there’s no need to fix it, and treating could cause unintended issues” advises Dr Lindsay.

“The most common mistake new aesthetics practitioners make is treating the vermillion border in patients who don’t need it.”

She cautions, “Over time, repetitive treatments to the vermillion border can lead to filler migration outside the lip, ultimately resulting in loss of definition.”

SHOULD YOU USE A CANNULA OR NEEDLE, AND WHY?

“It’s best to treat the vermillion border with a needle as this treatment needs to be precise. It’s also superficial, making it difficult to achieve with a cannula,” says Dr Lindsay.

WHAT INJECTIONS TECHNIQUES ARE USED AND WHERE, TO ADD DEFINITION TO LIPS RATHER THAN VOLUME?

“In suitable patients, the vermillion border can be directly treated superficially,” advises Dr Lindsay. “Inject a soft filler product along its length, using a retrograde linear thread technique.”

“As fillers’ primary mode of action is to add volume, your injection volumes need to be very small – around 0.025ml,” she instructs.

“Patients who do not require direct vermillion border treatment can still get the appearance of definition by adding volume to the body of the lip.”

IMPROVING YOUR LIP FILLER INJECTING TECHNIQUES

Lip filler is an incredibly popular injectable treatment, but it’s a difficult one to get right. As such, it can be a lucrative one for medical aesthetics practitioners who can perform this well.

Providing a safe treatment that puts your patients at ease, and offers harmonious, proportionate results in line with their goals is what all aesthetics specialists should strive for.

If you’re a cosmetic doctor, dentist or nurse looking to hone your lip filler injecting techniques, take a look at our 1:1 Injectables Mentoring Session in Perioral and Lip Filler.

Whether you’re looking to improve your confidence with this treatment, get to grips with cannula use in this area, or really focus on specifics, such as treating lip filler patients with thin lips, this one-to-one aesthetics mentoring is an invaluable, hands-on learning experience.

HOW TO START LEARNING LIP FILLER TECHNIQUES AS A DOCTOR, DENTIST OR NURSE

If you’re a healthcare professional interested in learning more about aesthetic medicine, including lip filler treatments, we have a range of aesthetics training courses available.

Our Foundation or Core Training Courses in Botox & Dermal Fillers will get you started.

These allow you to combine your existing clinical skills with a new specialism. They establish a strong knowledge base upon which you can build your on-going aesthetics education, whilst allowing you to get started. This is the first step in becoming an insurable medical aesthetics practitioner.

You can then progress to our industry-leading, Ofqual-regulated, Level 7 in injectables for more in-depth aesthetics training. This Master’s level qualification allows you to up-skill from an aesthetics practitioner to an aesthetics specialist, with a wealth of mentored practical injecting, as well as observing expert cases and completing rigorous eLearning.

Contact our Courses team today for help finding the best aesthetic medicine training courses for you, no matter what level you’re starting from.

All information correct at the time of publication.