How to Avoid and Fix Overfilled Lips
Excessive lip filler can result in an unnaturally protruding “duck lip” appearance. Scheduling a consultation with a medical aesthetics practice to determine if subtle lip augmentation is appropriate for your anatomy is important to achieve your aesthetic goals.
Lip augmentation with dermal fillers has soared in popularity in recent years. Fuller, plumper lips are coveted for their youthful and sensual appearance. However, in the quest for the perfect pout, some end up with an overfilled, unnaturally protruding result dubbed “duck lips.”
In this article, we’ll discuss what exactly “duck lips” are, what causes them, and most importantly, how to avoid duck lips when getting lip injections. We’ll also provide solutions on fixing overfilled lips from dermal filler.
What Are “Duck Lips”?
The term “duck lips” refers to overfilled, extremely protruding lips that resemble the bill of a duck. This exaggerated look stems from an excessive use of lip filler, resulting in an abnormal shape and size of the lips.
Some distinct visual characteristics of duck lips are:
- Overly plumped, pushed-out lips
- Rounded, tucked-under edges with little definition
- Loss of the natural contours of the lip
- The upper lip juts out significantly farther than the lower lip
- Increased horizontal width of the lips
- Visible filler material above and around the lips
The appearance of duck lips is universally deemed unattractive and unnatural. No one strives for duck lips intentionally. This look is the result of patients requesting extreme augmentation or practitioners over-injecting filler.
Schedule a consultation with Bellava MedAesthetics to receive an expert assessment on whether your lips need subtle enhancement for a naturally beautiful look
How Do Lip Fillers Cause Duck Lips?
There are a few factors that can contribute to an overdone, duck lip result when getting lip injections:
Overfilling the Lips
The most obvious cause of duck lips is over injecting the lips with too much filler material. Many patients want the instant gratification of very full lips in one session, requiring large amounts of filler. However, the lips can only be expanded so much before taking on an artificial look.
Over time, large bolus amounts of filler will distend the tissues, causing fixed duck lip deformities. The “more is more” approach should be avoided. It’s better to gradually increase fullness over multiple sessions for a natural look.
Injection Technique
The technique used for injecting lip filler also influences the final result. Inexperienced injectors often place filler in the wrong locations. Filler incorrectly placed in the perioral area above and around the lips will contribute to protrusion.
Overfilling the vermilion border specifically can lead to lip eversion and a pronounced, rounded “outer roll” along the edges. The most natural results are attained by strategic, meticulous injection of small amounts of filler into the appropriate areas of the lips.
Individual Lip Anatomy
The anatomy of the lips also determines how much augmentation an individual can tolerate before entering duck lip territory. Those with naturally thin lips have less tissue available to expand compared to those with fuller lips.
People with thin lips attempting excessive augmentation are more likely to achieve an overdone look. The limits of safe expansion must be recognized based on initial lip proportions.
How to Avoid Duck Lips When Getting Lip Fillers
Duck lips are never the intended outcome. Here are some tips to avoid this mishap and achieve beautiful, natural-looking lip enhancement:
- Choose an Experienced Injector
The most critical factor for avoiding duck lips is choosing a highly experienced board-certified provider to perform your lip injections. Do your due diligence researching the background, training, expertise, reviews and before & after photos of any injector you are considering. An artistic eye and advanced understanding of facial aesthetics are required.
The experienced injectors at Bellava have developed specialized injection techniques to safely deliver precise amounts of filler to strategic areas. Our skilled hands enhance the lips while retaining a balanced, proportional look. Amateur injectors often lack the training required to accomplish subtle properly distributed augmentation.
It’s worth investing in an outstanding practitioner, rather than risking discount procedures from less qualified personnel. Don’t compromise safety for lower fees.
- Have a Consultation
Schedule a consultation with our injector to discuss your desired results and determine an appropriate treatment plan. Convey that you want lip enhancement, not drastic augmentation leading to duck lips.
We will evaluate your individual lip anatomy and what areas could benefit from additional volume. Together, you can agree on a conservative approach to avoid over injection. If your expectations seem unrealistic, the injector should advise an amount of filler that will give natural results.
A consultation is also useful for showing the injector pictures of lip shapes and sizes you like. This provides helpful guidance on your aesthetic goals.
- Clearly Communicate Your Goals
During your appointment, thoroughly communicate your preferences to our experts. State that you want to avoid a duck lip look. Emphasize keeping the vermilion border smooth and retaining definition along the lip line.
Request conservative amounts of filler to start, which can be gradually increased over time for optimum results. Convey realistic expectations for the volume your individual lips can accommodate while avoiding an overfilled appearance.
Let Bellava MedAesthetics’ board-certified specialists design a personalized lip filler treatment plan to enhance your pout without overdoing it
Types of Lip Fillers We Offer
Bellava MedAesthetics provides a variety of FDA-cleared dermal fillers to meet each patient’s needs and goals:
| Juvederm | Juvederm injectable gels like Volbella XC are smooth, viscous formulas containing hyaluronic acid. When expertly injected into the lips and mouth area, Juvederm subtly volumizes and hydrates the delicate lip tissue. The hyaluronic acid binds with water molecules to restore plumpness and contour for a more youthful appearance. Juvederm also diminishes fine lines and wrinkles around the mouth. Results from these subtle enhancements last approximately one year. |
| Restylane | The Restylane family of dermal fillers also harness the power of hyaluronic acid to smooth and plump the lips. Restylane adds lightweight volume to the body of lips, providing a natural-looking fullness. Restylane Silk is specially designed with smaller molecules ideal for seamlessly enhancing the finer lip lines. These products create supple, kissable lips with well-defined borders for up to one year. |
| Sculptra | Unlike hyaluronic acid fillers, Sculptra leverages poly-L-lactic acid along with lidocaine to stimulate collagen production deep within the lips. The gradual effects redistribute the lip tissue for subtle enlargement and enhancement over time. With multiple injection sessions, Sculptra can significantly augment the size of thin or aging lips through the body’s own collagen stimulation. Improvements may continue for months and results can last over two years. |
| Radiesse | Radiesse injectable filler consists of tiny calcium hydroxylapatite microspheres suspended in a gel carrier. Strategically implanted along the lip line and in the body of the lips, the smooth Radiesse formula adds immediate volume. The calcium microspheres also interact with surrounding collagen to stimulate further tissue growth and fullness. Radiesse provides both instant and long-lasting lip augmentation, making it ideal for building smaller or thinner lips. Enhancements may continue for a year or longer. |
We carefully select the appropriate dermal filler formula based on each patient’s specific anatomy, goals, and desired results. Let our experts customize the perfect plan for your perfect pout.
Can You Fix Duck Lips From Fillers?
If you end up with an overfilled, unnatural duck lip result after getting filler, there are solutions to reverse the effects. The key is dissolving the problematic filler through injections of hyaluronidase.
Hyaluronidase breaks down hyaluronic acid fillers, effectively dissolving and reversing augmentation. Products like Juvederm and Restylane which cause most cosmetic lip injections are hyaluronic acid-based and can be eliminated with hyaluronidase.
The enzyme rapidly deconstructs the filler within 24-48 hours. Fuller or misshapen areas are dissipated, reversing the unwanted duck lip appearance. Several rounds of dissolving injections may be required to remove all problematic filler.
Within a few weeks following treatment, the lips revert close to their original state prior to injections. Hyaluronidase dissolution can be performed as long as noticeable filler material remains.
Dissolving filler comes with minimal risk, but potential side effects include temporary swelling, tenderness, and redness at injection sites. Discomfort associated with this technique is typically mild.
For best results and to avoid complications, hyaluronidase should only be administered by a medical professional proficient in this reversing procedure. With proper injection technique, the effects of overfilled lips can be safely and effectively abolished.
The Takeaway
Duck lips are an undesirable outcome of lip filler occurring from overinjection. Take steps to avoid this bloated look by getting in touch with our expert injectors, having a thorough consultation, clearly communicating your goals, and considering your individual anatomy. Start conservatively; more filler can always be added for gradual enhancement.
If you do end up with a duck lip deformity, don’t fret. The filler responsible can be eliminated through expertly-administered hyaluronidase injections. This will restore the lips’ normal shape and contour when performed correctly.
Contact Bellava MedAesthetics today to discuss which of our expertly-chosen lip fillers will give you your dream lip
