Filler
A Lesson: Lip flip vs Lip filler
Skinvive–a topic that’s been buzzing in the world of aesthetics is a game-changer in the realm of lip enhancement. If you’ve been curious about plumper lips but hesitant to commit to traditional lip fillers, Skinvive could be next up on your aesthetic journey.
What is Skinvive?
Skinvive is relatively new to the scene of aesthetic injectables. It was FDA approved in May of 2023, and has been diminishing fine lines ever since. Imagine a lightweight, injectable form of hyaluronic acid—aka the same stuff that keeps your skin hydrated and youthful. Skinvive, a water-loving product, works by attracting water molecules to the injected area, giving your lips that coveted fullness without a more dramatic change and long-term commitment associated with traditional fillers.
What to Expect During Your Appointment
You will enter our space immediately feeling comfortable and relaxed, and ready for one of our favorite forms of self-care. You will be greeted by the subtle scent of santal + the beautiful smiling face of one of our highly-skilled patient care coordinators! Your aesthetic nurse injector will escort you to the treatment room, discuss your goals, and snap a few baseline photos for your records. The procedure itself is quick and relatively painless, with a topical numbing cream applied beforehand to ensure you’re comfortable! We mean it when we say you won’t feel a thing. A series of small injections are made into your lips, strategically placed to enhance volume and shape. The results are immediate, although you might experience some minor swelling and/or bruising initially (totally normal and temporary!).
How Skinvive Differs from Traditional Lip Fillers
Traditional lip fillers can often create a more noticeable change, sometimes resulting in that unmistakable “pout.” Skinvive, on the other hand, focuses on a softer, more natural enhancement. Think of it as adding a touch of gloss to your lips—they look plumper and more defined, but still very much like you. If you’re a newbie to lip enhancement or simply someone who prefers subtlety, Skinvive is the perfect option. Unlike more permanent fillers, it offers a soft enhancement that can be tailored to your preferences. It’s like dipping your toes into the waters of lip enhancement—gentle, but effective.
Aftercare Tips
We’ll send you home with a cute little santāl skin ice pack + an aftercare card so you know exactly how to care for your new lips! Generally, it’s good practice to avoid touching them too much and skip the strenuous workouts for a day or two. We also recommend avoiding straws, popsicles, lollipops, or really anything you wrap your lips around for the first 48-72 hours. Pro tip: Staying hydrated will enhance the results!
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re looking to subtly enhance your natural lip or interested in dipping your toe into the waters of aesthetic procedures, Skinvive offers a gentle, effective solution. The key to any aesthetic procedure is feeling comfortable and informed. Chat with your nurse injector, ask questions, and express your desires clearly. We can’t wait to boost your lips + your confidence.
Cheers to the little enhancements that make us feel refreshed!
We do everything we can to prepare our patients and set them up for the best results when it comes to their injectables. Part of that prep is talking about the “what not to do” in the hours, days, and weeks following your treatment. The list looks a little something like this:
1. Makeup – open wound from needle piercing the skin increases your risk of infection, especially if your sponges and/or brushes are not clean. Rule of thumb: wait 30 minutes before reapplying makeup so your skin has a chance to heal and avoid too much pressure applying the makeup on and around the injection sites.
2. Ice Rolling – we strategically place injectables into the muscles and/or under the skin in certain places for a reason. Moving the injectable in any way can effect the results!
3. Dental Work – This is a strange one, but is on this list for a reason! Holding your mouth open for prolonged periods of time and/or manipulating the mouth in certain positions can move injectables out of the targeted areas and effect results.
4. Facials – We are all for some self-care, but save the facial for next week. The pressure of the massage can manipulate fillers and move neurotoxins into areas they weren’t meant to be.
5. Naps – You may be familiar with the “no laying down for 4 hours after botox or filler”, and it exists for good reason. That reason? Gravity. Laying down too soon after an injectable treatment can give gravity the chance to take hold of your provider’s beautiful work and pull it towards one side or the other. If you’re a belly sleeper, it can also put pressure on the injected areas of the face.
6. Straws – This is mostly related to lip filler and other injectables around the mouth. You want to avoid making an “O” with your lips for at least 2-3 days after your filler appointment to mitigate migration as well as manipulation of the filler. No smoking…sucking on lollipops…sucking on popsicles…sucking on anything. K? Are you following?
7. Yoga – This is due to the inversion of the body while performing yoga poses. This risks drawing the botox out of the targeted muscles and flowing into other muscles not meant to be treated.
8. Tight Fitting Hats – This can cause too much pressure on the forehead area after Botox injections, and risks moving the Botox out of the muscles and decreasing the efficacy of treatment.
9. Alcohol – Some experts believe this can cause an increased risk of bruising, but in our opinion, if you want that glass of wine with dinner we support you! We may recommend avoiding alcohol in excess prior to your appointment, but afterwards… cheers!
10. Working out – Exercise increases your heart rate and blood pressure, which causes increased blood flow through the muscles. For the same reason yoga is not recommended, you want to avoid moderate to extreme exercise for the first 24-48 hours for best results.
A Global Approach to Aesthetic Symmetry
Can we all just agree that seeing our inverted reflection is the most bizarre experience? Why is it such a drastic difference from what we see in the mirror? The reason: ASYMMETRY. The fact of the matter is: we’re all asymmetrical. One brow is lower than the other…the left side of the face is flatter than the right…the lips + chin are unflattering from the side profile. Our secret to more balanced and harmonious facial features? Filler.
Dermal Filler (Hyaluronic Acid)
Dermal filler is a gel-like form of hyaluronic acid that is injected into areas of the face that are lacking volume. As we age, the fat pads in our face start to give way to gravity, and our bones begin to recess. This causes deficits in areas that are objectively related to beauty and youth. We can improve these deficits by adding support with filler. There are different types of filler for each different area of the face that are created to mimic the tissue in those areas for the most natural and “you” looking results.
Non-Surgical Facial Balancing
What is non-surgical facial balancing? Essentially, it is a minimally-invasive, global approach using advanced injectable hyaluronic acid (dermal filler) and medical grade skin treatments to replace what has been lost or changed due to time and aging. Non-surgical facial balancing can create both subtle and profound changes without requiring a lengthy recovery period or the acceptance of surgical risks. It involves bringing all facial features into harmonious symmetry and rejuvenating the face by addressing areas of concern like:
Skin Laxity
Volume loss
Wrinkles and fine lines
Hollowing
At santāl skin, we offer comprehensive facial assessments during which we will draw out a treatment plan that is completely customized for your individual goals. We work together to bring your facial features into harmonious symmetry so you can leave our space feeling lifted and light. Ready for a balanced reflection?