The Truth About Lip Injections

As much as we have been trying to avoid the topic of plastic surgery and enhanced beauty treatments on The Sorority Secrets, we recognize that it is something many of our readers are faced with given the many outlets you're exposed to. In lieu of the recent controversy over Kylie Jenner's now famous lips, we reached out to TSS Reader, Annie Bruno, of The Skinny Blog to help answer your questions about lip injections. You may remember Annie from our "Why We Love Chemical Peels" post a couple of years ago! Taken straight from her site, she does a little Q&A so read up! P.S. Self love is the greatest form of beauty so know that loving yourself from within is what we reinforce every day. Nonetheless, we are aware that things that make you self-conscious can affect you. Ultimately, anything you do is YOUR DECISION.

Get Annie's full article here!

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Are you interested in possibly receiving lip injections? I’ll answer some commonly asked questions that might help you to make the decision that is right for you.

1.) What are lip injections? A hyaluronic acid (this is a naturally occurring acid found in our bodies) gel particle is injected into the lips with a needle. This unique gel particle can help to create lift and structure, while also building volume. Since this is an injection there are comfort measures like numbing agents, that can easily be applied before your treatment.

2.) How many syringes will I need to purchase? Everyone’s anatomy is different, and what your lips may be able to hold without looking overfilled may be very different than someone else. Average amount that I typically see is usually around 1-1.5 syringes. Note however, that some fillers are on-label to use as many as 3 syringes in one lip to be fully-corrected. Each patient is different. Your practitioner should be able to give you an estimate before your procedure. Also keep in mind that you can start out small, and add more later if you desire to do so.

3.) How much do lip injections cost? Typically syringes range anywhere from $400-$600 each/1ML. (Prices are different amongst different demographics). Seems pricey, right? Before you go looking for a bargain, I will beg you to PLEASE steer clear from spas that offer anything drastically lower than this price point. Often times you can find a “deal” or groupon and I would highly advise against doing this. This is not to say that every spa/practice being offered on groupon or living social is not legitimate, but you should be aware of the reasons why they might be able to offer a lower price point. It is not unusual that in those practices you may have a very inexperienced injector that can actually cause you harm if you are treated incorrectly. Another reason you could be getting such a “deal” is because the spa/practice could be importing product from a foreign country for a cheaper purchasing price. Importing is not safe, and it is illegal. Imported product is sometimes fake, expired, and/or diluted. Not to mention, there is no telling where the product may be prepared and/or packaged- think bathtubs. I'm serious. If someone is willing to take that type of risk on their patients to save a buck, they do not have your health or best interest at heart. Cosmetic treatments can unfortunately be expensive and an investment, but with that comes guaranteed authentic product, safe technique, and your desired outcome.

4.) How often do I need to be injected? Lip fillers have an on-label guarantee of a 6-month duration. Again, everyone is different and some people metabolize product faster than others- give or take a few months.

5.) How much down time will I need if I get lip injections? Complete swelling reduction usually resides within a week. I would advise to be injected on a day that you will be able to have some downtime for at least 2-3 days post-injection. With regular intervals of icing, and taking arnica prior to a treatment (natural supplement for inflammation found at health food stores) you can greatly reduce your down time. You can also slightly camouflage swollen lips with concealer and nude lip colors.

6.) What if I don’t like my lip injections? Does this mean I’m stuck with them for 6 months? No! Filler is fortunately a treatment that can be easily reversed almost immediately. But go the right injector, and I guarantee you won’t be reversing the treatment because you’ll love it so much!

7.) Where do I go? I would go to someone that is a well-known and experienced practitioner in your area. You can check websites like healthgrades.com for specific rankings on physicians. Often times highly ranked physicians also have experienced nurse injectors that will take care of you with an equal level of quality. Another option is asking your friends/family where they go, as I think referrals are always good. You can also come and see us at Hobgood Facial Plastic Surgery, we would love to have you! <Info provided below>.

I hope this was informative as I know it is a lot of information to absorb! If you have any other questions, please feel free to comment, or message me as I am happy to help you. Aesthetic treatment options don’t have to be scary, ridiculous, or obvious. Above all else, remember that they are your right! Whether you choose to divulge your information like Kylie did or not is completely up to you, and your procedures and treatments are completely protected by law (HIPPA). Be true to you and the things you do. The enhancements you desire are yours for the taking- and that’s a beautiful thing.

Visit us, or call for appointments at:
Hobgood Facial Plastic Surgery
Scottsdale, AZ
480.214.9955
ToddHobgood.com

Be well,

Annabelle
@theskinnyblog

Why We Love Chemical Peels

Your face is one of the most important parts of your body so it's important to treat it right. Washing your face and exfoliating it with moisturizer is a great first step in preserving the youth in your face, but we recently learned of another way to keep your face looking fresh: chemical peels.

As sorority girls we are always being introduced to so many wonderful products that when Annie, a distributor of PCA Skin, was nice enough to give us a demo on how to do an at home chemical peel, we couldn't wait to share our results! But, before we share with you our experience, let's hear a little from the expert, Annie:

"To peel, or not to peel- is that your question? Chemical peels, like other skin treatments, come in many different strengths and formulations. Whether you are facing a challenging skin condition, or want to maintain overall skin health, a peel should be a part of your skin’s regimen. When introducing my clients to peels, I choose the same treatment for virtually anyone that walks through my door. The lovely ladies of The Sorority Secrets were no exception. My introductory chemical peel of choice is PCA Skin’s Sensi Peel. The Sensi peel is a low-dose, minimally invasive treatment that provides great benefits to the skin. This unique blend of active acids includes TCA (Trichloroacetic Acid), Lactic acid, Azelaic Acid, Kojic Acid, and Arbutin- all which work synergistically to exfoliate, hydrate, and even out the skin tone. One particularly wonderful thing about this peel is that it is safe for all different skin types, and conditions. Its formulation includes many skin brighteners, and treats conditions such as aging, acne, hyperpigmentation, and rosacea. Depending on your skin’s needs, your treatment can be advanced to something more aggressive, but only if necessary. As we age, our skin cell’s natural exfoliation process slows, and needs some assistance. Receiving regular peels (every 2-6 weeks depending on skin condition), will help your skin show its best self".

"I'll be honest, I was totally scared to get my peel! I think the word "peel" sounds a whole lot scarier than it actually is. When Annie started applying the peel products on my face & neck, I was pleasantly surprised. "That's it?!" I remember asking her. Quick & easy, it was over in a snap. Annie reminded me to stay away from heat or exercise for the next few days, and to not wash my face for the rest of the first day. I asked her if I could use my Clarisonic, and she told me to hold off for about a week. I listened, and the peel worked beautifully! Almost instantly, my skin was glowing! I didn't wear any makeup after the peel on day 1, and kept my face virtually makeup free for the following 2 days as well. By day 4, I had some light peeling; the moisturizing PCA products helped to calm my skin. By day 6, my skin looked radiant! I barely needed any face makeup. Skincare is all about maintenance and taking care of yourself; I'm happy to add PCA peels into my routine!"--Ali

    {before peel}                                                                {after peel}

"When I heard we were getting chemical peels, I really didn't know what to expect! I envisioned a super long process where a deep, long face treatment was going to occur. However, when Annie pulled out all the stuff she was going to use, I thought "Wow, this is not a lot of stuff!". Not only were the materials so easy to apply, but they smelled really good {they smelled like yummy oatmeal}. To say my face was glowing would be an understatement; my face looked so refreshed and renewed! I couldn't wear makeup for 24 hours, but I didn't mind because I just loved the way my skin felt and looked. It didn't take too long for the dead skin to peel off and Annie gave me the moisturizing PCA products to treat my face throughout the week--if I saw my skin peeling I wouldn't pick at it; rather, I just applied the aloe soothing balm {it also smelled good!}. Annie recommended doing these types of chemical peels every 4-6 weeks. I loved the results so much that I did the facial TWICE!"--Karen

    {before peel}                                                                {after peel}

"I've seen chemical peels done before on friends and family and they seemed really extreme- peeling after for days with very sensitive skin and no makeup for at least 3 days... yikes! When Annie approached us to try out the PCA Chemical Peels, I was intrigued, but I obviously was kind of skeptical and needed a couple questions answered.  I have always had fairly normal skin- not oily, never had acne, but I do get freckles!  Some people love freckles but to those that actually have freckles, I don't think a spotted face is their favorite feature.  Once Annie explained to me that PCA Chemical Peels actually reduces pigments and sun stains, I was all up for it!  It was a very quick process and the aftercare products that they give you really helps out a lot.  My skin was dry and tight the first two days after my peel, then I started peeling for a couple more days, but I could see my face starting to clear up and feeling very hydrated and smooth!  Annie reminded me that the more frequently I do the peel (about every 4-6 weeks), my freckles will start really disappearing!  You should wear sunscreen everyday, but sometimes sunscreen isn't enough for those that get freckles! PCA peels is definitely my answer to a clearer, smoother skin!" --Sakura

For more information on the treatments that Annie provides, please contact her directly at TheSkinny1122@gmail.com . Please also feel free to follow her on Facebook, Instagram (@theskinnyblog), and blogger (http://theskinnyblog1.blogspot.com/) for information on everything beauty and skin care related. The chemical peel is a treatment that Annie can provide, however, she cannot directly sell it to you. You can only buy the daily care products from Annie and she can go to your home to do the chemical peel. Annie is currently located in Scottsdale, AZ, and can schedule you for a treatment of your own. She is also a certified distributor for PCA Skin daily care products, and can provide you with a customizable regimen to fit your needs. If you are not local, but are interested in receiving a PCA Skin treatment, or safely purchasing their products you can contact the company directly at 1.877.722.7546 or visit them online at pcaskin.com to locate a provider near you.