Permanent Lip Fillers

About the Procedure

Over correction or over injection is not recommended with permanent fillers and therefore successive treatments every 2-3 months may be required to reach the desired final effect. Unlike temporary or semi-permanent fillers, the material used for injection will not degrade in the body, allowing for prolonged volume. There are various permanent filling agents which contain polymethylmethacrylate microspheres, silicone, or hydrogel polymers that can persist indefinitely in tissue. Bellafill, formerly Artefill, (from polymethylmethacrylate microspheres) is the only commercially available permanent filling agent approved by the FDA, and this approval is limited to its use for nasolabial folds. However, the PMMA filler has been used for a variety of other indications. Bio-Alcamid is composed of polyalkylimide gel which is a large volume filler initially used for lipodystrophy candidates. After injection it can be molded for the first 2 weeks after which a thin fibrous capsule forms which remains soft to the touch. This filling agent is only used for lip bulk and should not be used to define the vermillion or add lip definition. Many providers do not offer permanent lip fillers as they do not dissolve in the body, lending to difficult removal if the patient is not satisfied with their results. Some states and countries have outright bans on permanent fillers. It is important to consult with your provider as to what filler is right for your needs.