25
Feb
Juvederm Before and After New Orleans
I had Juvederm injected into my lips about 3 weeks ago by a very new doctor in Baton Rouge. The swelling has completely gone down, and at first glance my lips look fine (not the results she promised but they look ok). This is my problem: when I feel my lips, they feel hard, accompanied by pain if I squeeze. Is this normal? It has been 3 weeks.
A: Lips are very hard to get right and shaping the lips and injecting gently to prevent lumping is something that comes with experience. I have been injecting lips since 1983, and I still feel I get a little better every year, even with so many years of experience. Juvederm is normally the softest of all HA fillers, so this is very unusual. I would suspect you were injected too high in the mucosa and it needs to be reduced with hyaluronidase. The good thing about Juvederm and restylane is they can be dissolved if the result is not quite right.
I am planning on getting Juvederm in my lips. What should I do to prepare?
A: First, to reduce the risk of bruising, discontinue non-medically necessary aspirin, fish oil, vitamin E and ibuprofen. Second, get a prescription of Valtrex to reduce the risk of the injection trauma triggering a herpes simplex (cold sore) flare. Lastly, look at the doctor’s before and after pictures to make sure the results from this provider are what you want. You do not want to be surprised with duck lips!
I am over 50 and have never smoked, but have suffered with fine smokers lines all around my lips for years. Why? And what can I do to fix this? I do not want to look like a monkey.
A: Many people who have never smoked get perioral rhytides (lip wrinkles). It can be inherited, from too much sun, from chewing the inside of your mouth, whistling, talking, using a straw and lip pursing. There are several options: A little Botox can help reduce unintended lips pursing but might be a problem for those who talk for a living. Whistling can be impossible for several months post-Botox. Laser resurfacing using Active/Deep FX can help too, but the most common and easiest solution is Juvederm. I like the Ultra FX for this and I will often add a little extra lidocaine in this area to thin the product out and prevent lumping and upper lip swelling (that “monkey look”) as well as further reduce pain in this sensitive area. Results typically last 6 months in this dynamic area.
Lupo Center for Aesthetic and General Dermatology
Mary P. Lupo, M.D. – Connect on Instagram
Our mission at the Lupo Center is to provide patients with innovative, effective, and ethical care to make each person look and feel their personal best. To fulfill our goal, we provide state-of-the-art medical, surgical, and cosmetic treatments to all patients.
Board-certified dermatologist and clinical professor of dermatology Mary P. Lupo, MD, has been a leader in the field of non-surgical rejuvenation since 1983. She travels internationally to teach her innovative techniques, and her reputation brings in patients from around the country. She started the first formal residency training program for injectables and peels in 1983 at Tulane Medical School and served as past president of the Women’s Dermatologic Society, adjunct professor of dermatology at Tulane, and a founder of Cosmetic Boot Camp. Dr. Lupo holds membership in many prestigious dermatology associations, participates in clinical trials for the approval of new drugs and devices, and acts as an advisor for numerous aesthetic-minded companies.
Dr. Lupo was recently recognized as a trailblazer for women in dermatology and for her dedication to educating dermatology residents and fellows.
She has also received the following awards:
- 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐫 𝐄𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝 from the 𝐃𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲 𝐅𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 – Recognizes full-time academicians who have dedicated their careers to educating dermatology residents and fellows;
- 𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐦𝐚 𝐁𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐟𝐞𝐥𝐝, 𝐌𝐃 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐲 and 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝 from the 𝐖𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧’𝐬 𝐃𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐒𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐭𝐲 – Recognizes dermatologists of national prominence who have been trailblazers for women in some aspect of dermatology.
Dr. Lupo has authored over 90 published articles and book chapters and has spoken on various dermatological topics at nearly 480 national and international meetings and seminars.