My Lip Filler Experience: Houston’s ACQUA Med Spa

My Houston Lip Filler Experience: ACQUA Med Spa

Lip fillers are having a moment and I’m here for it – front row, center. I began my love affair with lip fillers back in 2016, but relax. I’ve only had it done three times, so I haven’t gone overboard, nor am I an expert (thankfully I worked with people who are, so read on). Remember this lip filler piece I wrote for Elite Daily?

Below are my thoughts and experiences about my lip filler experience at ACQUA Med Spa (it’s run by Dr. Ciaravino, who has a stellar reputation in Houston) mixed in with some advice and assessments from Braidee Ireland (nurse, injector and good friend of mine). 

Lip fillers are a weird conundrum – men always think they’re awful (but only when they know you’ve had them done) and women are usually judging or keeping their own lip filler experience a top-secret covert operation. And I’ll be honest – it’s a fairly expensive procedure and it definitely hurts a bit, but if you come from the IBLC (Itty Bitty Lippie Committee) like me, I think it’s well worth the investment. Pain is beauty, right?

It’s important to note that lip fillers are an aesthetic treatment, but it’s not surgery or anything you have to be cautious of – other than going to someone good (like any of the injectors at Houston’s ACQUA Med Spa). You basically can’t workout for 24-hours and may experience bruising (I bruise easily so take Arnica to help), and chapped lips, but that’s it.

Here are my quick thoughts on lips – it’s not an area of the face/body you change on your own. It’s not like working out or wearing a different shade of lipstick will magically change the shape or volume of your lips and guess what? Lips are something I look at every single day and so does anyone who talks to me. So I know there are haters out there saying, “don’t change anything about yourself,” or “don’t be that girl,” but it’s my choice.  My lips don’t define my beauty or confidence, but if I feel an extra pep in my step because I have fuller lips and a larger canvas to play with fun lip colors, then that’s my prerogative (in the words of Bobby Brown!). 

Tips for Getting Lip Fillers

Here are a few tips on choosing the right lip filler, the injector and overall experience:

• Go to someone GOOD. Just because you see discounts on Instagram or you’re friends with them, does not mean they are good. To be honest, Braidee (one of my best friends) has been doing this for years and I waited until I felt comfortable going to her and saw tons and tons of examples of her work. Do your research – check out their social media feed, read their reviews, ask friends who they go to or have heard about.
• Take advantage of the FREE consultation, but don’t feel obligated. ACQUA gives everyone a free consultation and this is your chance to ask questions and make sure it’s a procedure you want. Just because you go to the office and spend 30 minutes with the team doesn’t mean you’re trapped into anything.
• Bring pictures so you can realistically and easily share what look you’re going for. Create a photo album on your phone and show the injector all those pictures. It will give them an idea of what you want and make your end result that much better.
• Be prepared. As I mentioned above, I bruise easily, so I make sure to have Arnica on hand. I also have a history of cold sores and unfortunately, the “trauma” of lip injections can bring about cold sores for me, so I start taking medicine the day before (and that seems to work). I also tend to swell (quite a bit) afterwards, so I make sure not to plan any important meetings or dates on the same day!
• Stay in contact with your injector. When I get my lips done, I make sure they know that I want to start off subtle and natural, and the team at ACQUA operates the exact same. They start off natural and after two weeks if you want more, they invite you back in (usually at no charge), but each case is different. 
  

  ACQUA Med Spa’s Braidee Ireland and The Blonde Side’s Jayme Lamm

ACQUA’s Lip Filler Process

 Below gets technical, but it’s directly from my injector, Braidee and gives insight into the process for those thinking of trying it.

 “Thorough assessments, product knowledge and facial anatomy are just a few of the many important things in providing safe and natural work to clients. Here at ACQUA we give assessment consultations with our PA, which include careful examination and questioning of clients’ desired results that allows our nurse injectors to inject the appropriate product for the client to achieve a great outcome. We use topical numbing cream, along with other distracting comfort measures. As an injector, it’s important to understand how these products work, best places to use them and give the patient expectations for healing based off the type and amount of filler used. 

 As explained by the patient in the consult, Restylane and Restylane Silk products have previously been injected and the client felt the products did not hold to desired look for any reasonable amount of time. Suggestion of Juvederm Ultra product was given in regards to having a fuller, firmer hold once injected into the area. Juvederm Ultra in the lips can give a more noticeable volume from baseline but also, if injected slowly and efficiently, can be seen as a natural fullness. Lining the lips to create a base shape that will give the lips a wider structure can be a great start before volumizing the lips. For me, using insulin syringes allows me to put the product exactly where I want, without overfilling. Patients seem to respond well to insulin syringes for the lip area because the size of the needle is smaller. The key to great injections is knowledge, comfort and communication. We give as much information as we can to our clients so they are fully aware of what is being done and what to expect. We encourage patients to come in with questions, concerns and desired expectations so we can provide appropriate education and services. 

 Jayme presented with a smaller base lip structure with the top lip having a natural tendency to fold under. This creates more difficulty with injections because you do not want to overload the lip with filler trying to create more volume and lift because it can easily get hidden in the tissue and fold under as well. Proper placement of small droplets along the lining of the lip and even, linear injections on the “wet-to-dry” area of the lip will create more volume and space. We also put filler in the lower fat pads of the lip and again small droplets along the lining to create a soft, more volumized bottom lip for all around symmetry.”  — Braidee Ireland, RN

Ready to try lip fillers? I highly recommend ACQUA Med Spa and if you mention me, you’ll get 10% off any service. Schedule your FREE consultation by calling 281.480.1200. They have three amazing injectors on-site (Braidee, Alexis and Arika) and they’re all equally awesome.