Why I Use Needles for My Lip Injections

Dr. Jeanette Black, a practicing doctor in New York City, discusses her experiences with using needles versus cannulas for lip injections. Initially, she enjoyed performing lip filler procedures and gained confidence, dubbing herself the 'lip filler queen.' However, after the FDA approved Restylane Silk for cannula use in 2017, she switched to this method, expecting less bruising and swelling, reduced pain, and quicker treatment times. Contrary to her expectations, she often encountered bruising, more swelling, and increased patient discomfort due to resistance from the cannula in the lips. Additionally, her treatment processes became slower, and she found herself stressing about potential vascular occlusions, which are a risk in lip procedures. Through her exploration, she realized that the anatomy of the lips has several compartments that necessitate precision in injection techniques. A recent study confirmed her observations, emphasizing the importance of respecting these compartments during treatment. Ultimately, Dr. Black returned to using needles for lip injections, feeling safer and more satisfied with the aesthetic outcomes, which led to an increase in the number of lip procedures she performed, reigniting her title as the 'lip filler queen.'