Karen, 46, Property Developer

Lip Definition / Augmentation

• Why I started

I've always had good lips, but as I've gotten older my lips are not as full and I'd noticed that the definition had disappeared and small lines had started to develop around the edges. My lipstick just didn't look the same!
After a consultation, I was reassured that the procedure was simple, that my concerns about the size could be controlled (by the amount I desired) and the pictures they showed me of their own work were fantastic. I decided to go for it.

• My experience

Following consultation, all my reservations had disappeared and I was ready to proceed. The nurse first took photographs of my lips from the side and front. These appeared on a computer screen immediately in front of me - long gone were my old, tired lips!

The nurse then asked if I would like just a topical anaesthetic (numbing cream) or a dental injection which he assured me would mean I wouldn't feel a thing. I opted for the dental injection which really did feel strange as both my upper and lower lips felt completely numb - just like going to the dentist.

The actual lip procedures only took about 5 minutes and were completely painless. I actually watched as the volume and definition was restored before my eyes. The product I'd had injected was Restylane Lipp.
After the procedure I could tell my lips were swollen but they were also definitely fuller. The numbness was the most inconvenient thing but it only lasted about 2 hours. The swelling lasted for about 2 days and I had a small bruise on my upper lip but I had understood this to be normal. Now I'm thrilled with the results. The shape and size are perfect!

• The feedback I have received

No-one knows but everyone keeps telling me how well I look. That little secret of mine has certainly put the spring back into my step. As I walk in a room, head up with a great smile, I really feel confident and happy. 

• Advice I'd give to a friend

First find a doctor or nurse you can trust and build a friendship with. I was treated by Tracey Bell and Jan Carling, a registered nurse. Tracey initially consulted with me and was very understanding and most of all listened. At 37 you would never have guessed that Tracey is a mother of five children with many successful businesses and a wealth of experience in non-surgical procedures as well as having been a highly respected lecturer and validator for many of the leading non-surgical providers. All this and she looked great! Her team were just as dynamic and most of all you could tell they cared.

I had seen many duck-looking lips in the UK and on television and but I relayed my fears to Tracey Bell and Jan Carling during my consultation. They fully understood my concerns and assured me the aim was simply to enhance what nature had given me! After studying my face, taking photographs and discussing my concerns, their experience meant they knew what I wanted.

So find practitioners you can trust, who listen, who care and who practice what they preach - take a look at Tracey and her team. They're walking adverts!

• Our verdict

The lips are an art to fill, form and define. Every individual is different and so a full consultation is required. Our aim is simply not just to fill lips but to produce a natural, shaped, proportionate lip that harmonises with the rest of the face. A true master will do more than simply make the lips look fuller; a master will make the lips look better.
Combination treatments: designed to be used at bedtime, Lipfusion XL can help plump out your pout thanks to topically applied collagen and hyaluronic acid. Ideal for maintenance.

Before /After		Before / After