When patients visit us for lip filler injections, they typically know what kind of look they’re going for. And recently, many patients have been asking us for a “Russian lip,” a look that’s gained popularity on social media. But the technique isn’t exactly standardized, nor will it achieve an attractive outcome for every patient, so it’s important to understand what it involves.
Do your research, ask questions, and make sure that you and your injector are on the same page about your goals before having a “Russian lip” performed. To this end, we’re answering questions we hear at our Houston medical spa about this technique from our patients.
How does lip filler work?
Lip filler is injected below the skin using a needle or a cannula to add customized volume and dimension to your lips. It lasts about 1 year (depending on the formula and the person), and is naturally re-absorbed by the body.
The most common type of lip filler, and the best formula for the lip area, is hyaluronic acid-based filler (name brands include Restylane® and Juvéderm®). Hyaluronic acid fillers plump your lips by both binding to water and increasing the production of collagen, the proteins that give your skin its firmness and smooth texture.
What is the Russian lip technique?
The “Russian” lip technique involves injecting lip filler vertically, rather than from the side (which is more typical in the United States). By most accounts, the Russian lip technique also involves concentrating volume at the center of your lips to accentuate the “Cupid’s bow” area, and injecting in such a way that adds the appearance of height to your lips—not overly filled, but taller and more shapely.
The technique has been marketed as a unique filler approach, but in reality it is just another way to place filler. Experienced injectors treat you individually, catering their techniques to your aesthetic goals. The type of filler you use and your injector’s experience and artistic eye are more critical to helping you get a gorgeous result—the angle from which they inject the filler will actually have little influence on your final results.
Since this “technique” is not clearly standardized, you may not always get the result you had in mind if you ask your injector for Russian lips. So if you see a photo of someone whose lips look the way you want yours to look (whether or not they got the Russian lip technique), it’s a good idea to bring a photo to show your injector, rather than simply asking for this technique.
Is the Russian lip technique safe?
Yes, the Russian lip injection technique has the same safety profile as other lip enhancement with hyaluronic acid-based filler. Common side effects from filler are swelling and bruising; serious side effects are very rare, but can be dangerous and are more likely to occur in the hands of an unqualified provider. It’s important for your safety to choose an experienced medical injector operating under a board certified plastic surgeon.
How much does the Russian lip technique cost?
When you receive dermal filler injections, you pay for the amount of filler used by the syringe. The same is true for the Russian lip technique, so the cost is calculated based on both the price of the chosen filler formula and how much filler is necessary to achieve the look you and your injector decide on. A natural-looking lip augmentation with filler typically requires 1 syringe or less unless you want a more noticeable result, and most lip enhancements at our Houston practice cost around $700-$750.
What are the side effects from lip filler?
The most common side effects after lip filler are swelling and bruising, which typically subside within 1-2 weeks. (Once swelling and bruising go down, you will see your final results.)
A very rare, but highly dangerous, side effect of filler is a “vascular occlusion,” which occurs when the filler is injected into or around a blood vessel, blocking the blood supply and creating healing problems on the lips or other areas of the face. While it is unlikely that a vascular occlusion will occur in the hands of our experienced medical injectors, we can treat a vascular occlusion here in our office by dissolving the filler with hyaluronidase injections.
Contact Basu Aesthetics + Plastic Surgery for injectables with the experts
Our highly-trained medical spa team hold many years of experience in aesthetic injections, and take pride in offering our patients natural-looking results. They are here to listen to your goals for your appearance, and help you safely achieve the look you want with injectables and other non-surgical treatment options.
To schedule your appointment at one of our convenient locations in Cypress or central Houston, call 713.799.2278; or, reach out to us online to receive a call back from one of our helpful and friendly reception staff.
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