What Is In The Lip Filler?
In today's era of social media beauty trends are ever changing. One of the beauty trends that gained much popularity is fuller lips. Celebrities and models popularised this trend and many people have opted for this way to overcome their insecurities. But how do these fillers work?
What does the lip filler contain?
Lip fillers can contain many chemicals like silicone etc. The most commonly used one is hyaluronic acid. Hylauronic is a polysaccharide that occurs naturally within our body. It exists in the synovial fluid of joints and the vitreous body of the eye.
What is Hyaluronic acid?
Hyaluronic acid is composed of a straight chain polymer containing D Glucuronic acid (6th Carbon of glucose is oxidized) along with N- acetyl D- glucosamine (NAG). Hyaluronic acid is considered a lubricant agent in the body. It is acidic in nature and occurs in a bonded state with Calcium ions (Ca++). Hyaluronic acid is a glycosaminoglycan (GAG).
How does hyaluronic acid work as filler?
Through needles or a cannula, hyaluronic acid is injected into the lips (upper and lower vermilion). Some anesthetic agents can be mixed along with this biomolecule to avoid pain. Once injected into the lips, these hyaluronic acid molecules act as water-attracting molecules. They retain water up to 1000 times their own weight. This property makes them a good volume-increasing substance.
Reversible hyaluronic acid fillers
The amazing quality of hyaluronic acid type of fillers is that they are completely reversible in nature. The enzyme hyaluronidase causes the depolymerization of this biomolecule. When undesirable results are produced in the procedure or to undo the procedure for various reasons, this enzyme is injected into the lip area via needles. This enzyme dissolves the filler and the natural shape of lips can be attained back. The reversible nature of these fillers has made them a reasonable and in-demand choice. Silicon or implant lip fillers fall in irreversible types of procedures along with lip augmentation and lip lift.
An interesting fact about the enzyme that dissolves hyaluronic acid is that it plays a significant role in the process of fertilization in humans. Sperm is rich in this enzyme so that it can penetrate through the cervical canal and dissolve the layers of the ovum.
Hyaluronic acid fillers are getting more and more famous in cosmetic procedures because of their reversible mode of action. Cosmetic procedures are increasing widely over the globe as the beauty industry has seemed to capitalize on insecurities. It is important to be safe and vigilant when choosing such procedures. Some cosmetic procedures are irreversible and can have unwanted effects, thus caution is mandatory.
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