Causes and treatment options
Excessively large or unnatural-looking lips, so-called inflatable lips, are rarely intentional. In some cases, they are the result of suboptimal treatments – the reaction to too much hyaluronic acid or an incorrect technique. As we at the Swiss Derma Clinic are also a point of contact for second opinions and corrections, we are confronted with such situations from time to time. The good news is that a remedy is usually possible.
Lip treatments are more popular than ever. This makes realistic advice in advance and professional treatment all the more important. Aesthetic lip treatments, Russian lips and lip rejuvenation make up a large proportion of our treatments. This involves a lip correction that blends harmoniously into the patient’s appearance. We will be happy to advise you individually.
What are inflatable boat lips?
If too much filler (usually hyaluronic acid) has been injected, the lips may appear bulging or disproportionate – or they may protrude significantly beyond the natural red of the lips. If you are affected by inflatable lips, the result is often distressing. Especially if they are at odds with your own ideas of aesthetics and naturalness.
Another reason is temporary swelling immediately after lip injections. Important: This is normal to a certain extent and disappears by itself after a few hours or days.
How inflatable boat lips are formed:
There are several causes:
Too much hyaluronic acid: Too much volume creates an artificial, inflated impression. Such an effect occurs in particular when older, more cross-linked fillers have been used. Another reason is an unsuitable technique.
Incorrect technique: The filler material must be placed correctly. In addition, the dosage should match the desired effect. And to the natural anatomy. To ensure that this is the case, you should choose your practitioner carefully and make sure that they have specialist qualifications.
In the first one to two days after an injection, the lip can swell considerably – and for a short time imitate an inflatable lip. The skin on the lips is very sensitive and it is not unusual for there to be more severe swelling during this phase. Good to know: In such a case, it is not a case of incorrect treatment. Once this initial reaction subsides, the actual result becomes apparent. You can support this process by avoiding sun and heat as well as intensive lip movements shortly after the injection and by cooling your lip skin gently and carefully. We will be happy to advise you on this.
Our approach at the Swiss Derma Clinic
The interplay of harmony, form and structure is important to us. Natural results are also important. This also includes volume, including hyaluronic acid, but in the right areas of the lips.
Gentle injection techniques
To make your lips appear natural, we often build them up gradually. Based on their actual shape and the structure of the lip skin. The relationship between the upper and lower lip as well as the lip contour should be balanced and harmonious. More about aesthetic lip correction at the Swiss Derma Clinic in Zurich
With this technique, we lift the red of the lips vertically without moving the lip outwards. In this way, the lips appear more defined but not „overfilled“. A rubber dinghy effect is not created. Russian Lips requires very precise work and a certain amount of experience with this technique. At the Swiss Derma Clinic, we have been using this technique for several years.
Lip Laser
An alternative and sometimes a complement to injections is the lip laser. With the help of controlled, finely dosed light energy, we gently improve the structure and shape of the lips without immediately building up volume. The laser stimulates blood circulation and collagen formation. As a result, the lips appear smoother and more beautifully shaped. Find out more about the lip laser and when we use it at the Swiss Derma Clinic in Zurich.
Correction for too much hyaluronic acid
If there is too much excess material, then in some cases we can reduce this with hyaluronidase. The enzyme breaks down hyaluron and acts as an antidote. However, it does not differentiate between the body’s own hyaluronan and artificially injected hyaluronan. For this reason, we only use this option at the Swiss Derma Clinic in special cases, very selectively and with restraint in terms of dosage.
What care after lip injections?
The right aftercare can reduce excessive swelling and ensure that the result remains stable.
- moderate cooling in the first few hours, we will be happy to show you the correct technique.
- No excessive pressure and no manipulation of the lips. No kissing in the first few hours after the injection.
- It is essential to pay attention to hygiene, the lips are particularly sensitive in the first few days.
- Moisturizing lip care without irritating ingredients. Avoid using lipstick shortly after treatment.
- No heat, sauna or intensive sport for 48 – 72 hours
At the Swiss Derma Clinic in Zurich, we prefer to use methods that support a natural lip shape. With very precise and differentiated techniques such as Russian Lips, regenerating laser treatments (BioBoost for the lips) and careful care advice.
FAQ
How can I tell if my lips are just swollen or already overfilled?
Significant swelling is also normal in the first 24–72 hours after an injection. However, if the lips continue to appear bulging after the swelling has subsided, show unnatural contours or the red of the lips bulges unevenly, this may be due to excess or incorrectly distributed hyaluronic acid.
Can inflatable boat lips be corrected again?
In the majority of cases, yes. If there is excess or unfavorably placed hyaluronic acid, we can counteract this with hyaluronidase and reduce the volume. Gentle techniques such as lip laser or a restructured, natural reconstruction are also possible. The choice of treatment depends on the findings and the amount of filler present. It is also important to know: Hyaluronic acid is broken down naturally by the body over the course of weeks and months.
How can I avoid tubular lips in the run-up to treatment?
Choose a renowned practice with experienced practitioners. The Swiss Derma Clinic specializes in modern aesthetic lip corrections, Russian Lips and accompanying procedures such as the Lip Laser, a natural regeneration boost for the lips. The focus is on harmonious, beautifully shaped results.
