Choosing Your Treatment at Skinn Aesthetics Liverpool
Lip Filler vs Lip Flip: Which Creates Your Desired Lip Shape?
Lip filler adds volume using hyaluronic acid injections, while lip flip uses anti-wrinkle injections to relax the upper lip muscle, creating subtle definition without adding volume. The choice depends on whether you want fuller lips or a more defined lip border.
How Lip Filler Works
Lip filler injects hyaluronic acid (Juvederm or Restylane) directly into lip tissue to increase volume, enhance shape, and define borders. At Skinn Aesthetics, we specialize in Russian lip technique, which uses vertical injection placement that creates natural height and defined cupid’s bow without the overdone “duck lips” appearance. Results are immediate, lasting 6-12 months depending on metabolism and product used.
How Lip Flip Works
Lip flip injects small amounts of botulinum toxin into the orbicularis oris muscle above the upper lip. This relaxes the muscle, allowing the lip to gently roll outward and appear fuller without adding volume. Best for clients who want subtle enhancement, have a thin upper lip that disappears when smiling, or display excessive gum when smiling. Results appear within 3-5 days, lasting 2-3 months.
Decision Guide: Lip Filler or Lip Flip?
| Your Goal | Best Treatment | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Add volume to thin or flat lips | Lip Filler | Creates physical volume increase of 0.5-2ml |
| Define lip border without adding volume | Lip Flip | Enhances natural shape without changing size |
| Create height and projection (Russian lips) | Lip Filler | Vertical technique builds structured height |
| Reduce gummy smile | Lip Flip | Relaxes muscle preventing excessive lift |
| Upper lip disappears when smiling | Lip Flip | Allows lip to remain visible during expressions |
| Restore volume lost with aging | Lip Filler | Replaces lost hyaluronic acid and structure |
Cost difference: Lip flip costs £80-150 in Liverpool, lasting 2-3 months. Lip filler costs £150-400 per ml, lasting 6-12 months. Lip filler offers better value per month of results. Both can be combined for comprehensive enhancement. Filler adds volume while flip defines the border.
Downtime: Lip flip has zero downtime. Lip filler may cause swelling for 24-48 hours, with final results visible after 2 weeks once product settles.
Dermal Fillers vs Skin Boosters: Volume or Hydration?
Dermal fillers restore facial volume and structure by filling wrinkles and augmenting features, while skin boosters improve skin quality from within through deep hydration and collagen stimulation. Fillers reshape; skin boosters rejuvenate.
How Dermal Fillers Work
Dermal fillers inject high-density hyaluronic acid gel into specific areas to restore volume, fill wrinkles, or enhance facial features. Common treatment areas at Skinn Aesthetics include cheeks, jawline, chin, nasolabial folds, marionette lines, and lips. The 8 point face lift technique strategically places filler at eight facial points for natural lifting and contouring. Results are immediate, lasting 9-18 months depending on area treated and product viscosity. Brands used: Juvederm, Restylane.
How Skin Boosters Work
Skin boosters inject low-density hyaluronic acid or bio-remodeling complexes into the dermis layer to hydrate tissue, stimulate collagen production, and improve skin quality. Rather than filling specific areas, products like Profhilo spread throughout skin via high and low molecular weight hyaluronic acid chains, improving texture, elasticity, and radiance. Typically requires 2-3 sessions spaced 4 weeks apart. Results develop gradually over 4-8 weeks, lasting 6-9 months. Available products: Profhilo, Nucleofil, Vitaran, Jalupro Super Hydro, Karisma.
Decision Guide: Dermal Filler or Skin Booster?
| Your Concern | Best Treatment | How It Helps |
|---|---|---|
| Loss of cheek volume | Dermal Filler | Physically restores volume to midface structure |
| Crepey, dehydrated skin texture | Skin Booster | Deep hydration improves skin quality and elasticity |
| Deep nasolabial folds or marionette lines | Dermal Filler | Fills the fold/wrinkle for immediate smoothing |
| Fine lines across entire face | Skin Booster | Improves overall skin thickness and hydration |
| Undefined jawline | Dermal Filler | Contours and defines jawline structure |
| Dull, tired-looking skin | Skin Booster | Boosts radiance and creates “glow from within” |
| Tear trough hollowing under eyes | Dermal Filler (specialist technique) | Fills hollow area; requires experienced injector |
| Poor skin quality around eyes | Skin Booster (Lumi Eyes/Ami Eyes) | Specialized eye boosters improve delicate eye area |
Key difference: Dermal fillers target specific areas with visible structural concerns. Skin boosters treat larger areas to improve overall skin condition. Fillers provide architectural change while skin boosters provide skin quality enhancement.
Combining treatments: Many clients at Skinn Aesthetics combine both approaches by using filler for volume loss in cheeks and jawline, while using Profhilo for overall skin quality improvement across face and neck. This comprehensive approach addresses both structure and skin health.
Treatment frequency: Dermal fillers require maintenance every 9-18 months. Skin boosters need initial course of 2-3 sessions, then maintenance every 6-9 months.
HIFU vs RF Microneedling (Morpheus 8): Which Face Tightening Treatment?
HIFU uses focused ultrasound energy to tighten deep facial layers including the SMAS (superficial muscular aponeurotic system), while Morpheus 8 combines radiofrequency with microneedling to tighten and resurface skin at controlled depths up to 4mm. HIFU works deeper for lifting while Morpheus 8 targets texture and moderate tightening.
How HIFU Face Lift Works
HIFU (High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound) delivers precise thermal energy to the SMAS layer at 4.5mm depth, which is the same layer surgeons tighten during surgical face lifts. This controlled heating causes immediate collagen contraction and triggers new collagen production over 2-3 months. HIFU is effective for moderate to severe skin laxity, saggy jowls, neck tightening, and double chin reduction. Results appear gradually as collagen rebuilds, with optimal lifting visible at 3 months post-treatment. Effects last 12-18 months. No downtime required. Single treatment typically sufficient for Liverpool clients at Skinn Aesthetics.
How Morpheus 8 RF Microneedling Works
Morpheus 8 combines fractional radiofrequency energy with microneedling, delivering RF heat through tiny needles at adjustable depths (0.5mm-4mm). This dual-action approach creates micro-injuries while heating tissue, stimulating collagen and elastin production. Morpheus 8 excels at improving skin texture, reducing acne scars, tightening mild to moderate laxity, and refining pore size. Results develop over 4-6 weeks as new collagen forms, with continued improvement for 3 months. Typically requires 1-3 sessions spaced 4-6 weeks apart. Minimal downtime of 2-3 days redness. Effects last 12-18 months.
Decision Guide: HIFU or Morpheus 8?
| Your Concern | Best Treatment | Why This Works Better |
|---|---|---|
| Moderate to severe jowl sagging | HIFU | Reaches 4.5mm SMAS layer for structural lifting |
| Acne scars and textural irregularities | Morpheus 8 | Fractional needling remodels scarred tissue |
| Saggy neck and platysma bands | HIFU | Deep ultrasound tightens loose neck tissue |
| Large pores and rough skin texture | Morpheus 8 | RF + microneedling refines surface texture |
| Double chin fat with skin laxity | HIFU (or combine with fat dissolving) | Ultrasound tightens and reduces submental fat |
| Fine lines with mild skin looseness | Morpheus 8 | Addresses both texture and mild tightening |
| Desire for no downtime treatment | HIFU | Zero downtime vs 2-3 days for Morpheus 8 |
| Want faster visible results | Morpheus 8 | Results visible at 2-4 weeks vs 2-3 months for HIFU |
Treatment depth comparison: HIFU targets three depths simultaneously: 1.5mm (dermis), 3.0mm (deeper dermis), and 4.5mm (SMAS layer). Morpheus 8 targets 0.5mm-4mm with adjustable needle depth. HIFU goes deeper for structural change while Morpheus 8 stays superficial for textural improvement.
Pain levels: HIFU causes temporary discomfort during treatment (described as deep warmth or tingling) but requires no numbing. Morpheus 8 requires topical numbing cream applied 30-45 minutes before treatment. Both are well-tolerated at Skinn Aesthetics Liverpool.
Best candidates: HIFU suits clients aged 35-65 with moderate skin laxity who want lifting without surgery. Morpheus 8 suits clients aged 25-60 with textural concerns, acne scarring, or mild to moderate laxity. Can be combined in comprehensive rejuvenation protocols where HIFU provides deep lifting and Morpheus 8 handles surface refinement.
Results timeline: HIFU shows gradual improvement over 2-3 months as collagen remodels. Morpheus 8 shows faster results at 2-4 weeks with continued improvement over 3 months. If you need results for a specific event, Morpheus 8 delivers faster. If you prioritize maximum lifting, HIFU provides superior structural change.