Ah Love Island – we can always rely on the ITV show to dish out meme-worthy one-liners. Case in point: on Monday night’s episode, some of the Islanders were discussing lip fillers, and far from singing the treatment’s praises, the group were discussing how dissolving lip filler can leave your lips looking ‘saggy’. Current Love Islander Faye Winter went one step further, adding: ‘Mine looked like an 80-year-old man’s ball sack!’ That's certainly not the result she was after, we’re sure.
Of course, it's no secret that the popularity of lip fillers has soared over the last five years (call it the Kylie Jenner effect) with many celebrities and influencers opting for plumped up lips. In fact, a spontaneous office poll quickly revealed that many of the Grazia team and their friends have considered the prospect of lip fillers at some point. But if we do choose to go down the injectables route, is there actually a way back? Or are ‘saggy’ lips an inevitability?
Injectable lip fillers are often touted as 'non-permanent’, 'reversible' and ‘tweakments’ a term that underplays the procedure itself. Don’t be misled; lip enhancements involve invasive procedures that should never be entered into lightly, without thorough research and advice from a qualified practitioner. For many, the appeal of lip fillers lies in the idea that results can easily undone and lip fillers can be dissolved if you're not happy with the final look. The reality isn't that simple.
Last night's episode saw the Love Island ladies chatting about the ins-and-outs of getting lip fillers dissolved and how the procedure has the potential to leave your lips looking 'saggy'. In the words of Faye: ‘Mine looked like an 80-year-old man’s ball sack, it was awful.’
So are lip fillers reversible? Can you actually get lip fillers dissolved and will it ruin your lips if you do?
We reached out to Dr Jonquille Chantrey aesthetic doctor at One Aesthetics Studio and practitioner Alice Henshaw, owner of Harley Street Injectables, to answer all your burning questions about getting your lip fillers dissolved. Someone send a link to the girls in the villa, stat.
Can you get lip fillers dissolved?
'Yes, you can get lip fillers dissolved but it depends on the type of lip filler used,' suggests Dr Chantrey. 'Being able to successfully dissolve lip fillers depends on the level, the depth of the injection points and where the filler has been placed.'
How do you dissolve lip fillers?
'An enzyme called Hyaluronidase or Hyalase is used to dissolve filler,' explains Alice, 'It effectively "melts" or breaks down the cross-linked hyaluronic acid in filler into a liquid, which then gets reabsorbed by the body. Dissolving filler is a safe procedure when carried out by a medical professional.' Alice continues, 'The first step should always be a patch test, also known as an allergy test. This is done on the same day of and at least 20 minutes before the treatment by administering a small amount of the solution to a test patch on the arm. Later I dissolve, the client waits 2-3 weeks before returning for their next appointment. Once I can see the client's natural face and mouth shape I refill, concentrating on a more natural look.'
Does it hurt to get lip fillers dissolved?
'Getting lip fillers dissolved can sting a little bit,' warns Dr Chantrey. 'It’s not excessively painful, and in my practice I always use a topical anaesthetic cream to reduce the discomfort for the patients.'
Will my lips look saggy after getting lip fillers dissolved?
'This is relative to each patient and what their lips looked like before,' says Dr Chantrey. 'There will have been a normal ageing process which will leave the lip looking a little bit more dehydrated as the filler is no longer pumping it up anymore.'
'If the lips have been over-filled and the lip border has been destroyed (when filler migrates above the natural line of the lips) this crisp boarder can be difficult to get back - even when the filler is dissolved.'
Any 'saggy' effect is likely to occur once the lip fillers have fully dissolved. Some might not experience it at all. According to Alice most clients book in for a small amount of artfully applied filler after 2-3 weeks to very sightly plump. 'We refill, concentrating on a more natural look,' says Alice.
What should you look out for when getting lip fillers - or getting fillers dissolved?
'Always be mindful of what product is being used and the qualifications of the practitioner,' says Dr Chantrey. 'Are they a doctor, dentist or prescribing nurse? Ensure you are cautious and mindful and walk away if you don’t feel safe or right about the procedure.'
'Research your injector!' Advises Alice, 'Book in for a consultation first and ensure that they show you real before and after photos. Book in with a medical professional. Worryingly, in the UK, you do not have to be a medical professional to inject dermal filler so make sure you see a nurse prescriber, a doctor or a dentist. Fillers can cause complications such as an occlusion which may cause permanent tissue damage, scarring or blindness. Only medical professionals have prescribing rights and access to the product to reverse these complications. Read Google Reviews and do your research. Make sure you feel comfortable with the person behind the needle.'
To check your practitioner's credentials look them up on databases that list UK based medical professionals such as the General Medical Council, the British College of Aesthetic Medicine or the British Association of Cosmetic Nurses. Don't be afraid to ask your practitioner to talk you through their qualifications either.
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