Harper’s Bazaar: Dissolving lip fillers? An aesthetic doctor explains what you need to know
As Kylie Jenner admits she “got rid of” all her lip filler, injectors weigh in on the ‘natural’ look
Kylie Jenner’s lips have got everyone talking again – this time because the make-up mogul revealed on Instagram that she “got rid of all” her fillers, in response to a fan mentioning how different she looked in the recent selfie. Cue talk of trout pouts being on the way out.
Jenner’s more natural look could be the result of the hyaluronic acid fillers dissolving in her body naturally, or of reverse injections which grant a quick-fix.
Dr Nick Milojevic, owner of Milo Clinic and one of the UK’s leading aesthetic doctors, explains: “Hyaluronic fillers can take six to 12 months to dissolve on their own, this is down to an enzyme in the body called Hyaluronidases which are a family of enzymes that catalyse the degradation of hyaluronic acid, the main filler ingredient used by many clinics.” He suspects Jenner has skipped a few filler sessions, meaning her pout as gone down naturally as a result.
However, “if a patient wants a quicker way to remove their lip filler they can have Hyaluronidase injected directly into the lips, and they will go down within three – four days,” he notes. But while the fact that hyaluronic acid fillers have the potential to be dissolved this way can make them an appealing temporary option, the procedure isn’t without risk.
“There is a very small risk of an allergic reaction, and this must be considered by the patient and doctor before undoing the procedure,” Dr Milojevic notes, advising his patients to let their lips go down naturally to avoid any risks. “There is also a small chance that if the patient chooses to have these injections, it could mean the lips go even thinner than anticipated, this is due to the breaking down of the hyaluronic acid within the lips, which could lead to the patient being unhappy with the results.”
Whether Jenner opted to halt her cosmetic appointments to allow for a more natural lip look or speed up the process with an additional procedure, it’s worth noting that her lower maintenance aesthetic is enhanced in the pictures in question with ‘no make-up’ make-up and a new messy bob. All feels very summer ’18.
Dr Milojevic theorises that the trend for less obviously ‘done’ looks has a lot to do with the Duchess of Sussex. “Ever since Meghan Markle came into the public eye people have been adopting a more natural look, and it seems big lips are no longer as desirable as they once were,” he says. “This is proven by Kylie Jenner’s recent decision to reduce her lip size also.”
He adds that, “2019 will definitely see a more natural lip that aligns with the other features of the face and not over dominate the face.” Here’s hoping.
Ironically, the natural look doesn’t mean without work. Cosmetic surgeon Dr Jonquille Chantrey who performs treatments at the ‘Jonquille Chantrey clinic’ in Alderley Edge, Cheshire and Mallucci London in Mayfair, confirms there has been a “huge” increase in treatments from 18-25 year olds, mostly booking Botox and fillers.
“Fullness, definition and a flattering shape it is now more commonly requested in my own practice rather than the overinflated lip of recent years,” she says. As for other ‘tweakments’? “A strong but gently arched brow and a contoured cheek remain a common request. However there is a real trend towards lower facial filler contouring – jawline definition, facial slimming and chin treatment.”