The appearance of granulomas as a result of the injection of permanent or semi-permanent filler products is an aesthetic complication that affects a large number of people and is often difficult to treat. The solution to this problem becomes even more complex when these granulomas are located in the vermilion of the lips.
Dr. Montserrat Planas, Head of the Laser Unit at Clínica Planas, has developed the SR-LIP technique to remove granulomas from the lips effectively and without scarring. Read on to find out how this treatment works and what its benefits are.
What is a granuloma?
Years ago, the use of certain permanent and semi-permanent filler products became popular. These products were made from different materials and were injected into both the lips and other areas of the face. In many cases, the injection of these products has led to the formation of granulomas, usually at least six to eight years after their application.
A granuloma develops when the body’s own immune system attempts to isolate these filler products, creating a mass of immune cells. In some cases, these granulomas may migrate or cause inflammation or aesthetically undesirable effects.
How to treat granulomas depending on their location
Nasolabial folds, cheekbones and forehead
The appearance of granulomas in these and other areas of the face — excluding the lips — has the advantage that the filler product remains contained within a defined area, making it easier to remove.
Depending on factors such as the type of filler product and its condition, we use different removal methods:
- Removal using a syringe and aspiration of the product, which is successful in very specific cases.
- Use of an 800 nm diode laser assisted by optical fibre. This technique allows us to heat the product, making it easier to remove.
Lips
When granulomas appear in the lips, they usually do not occupy a clearly defined area. Instead, the product becomes embedded within the mucosa. This makes removal more complex, and in most cases neither of the techniques described above is suitable.
Removing lip granulomas with the SR-LIP technique
The SR-LIP technique involves performing numerous small vaporisations in the lip mucosa. This allows us to achieve:
- Partial vaporisation of the filler product
- A noticeable reduction in the volume of the granuloma
- Improved elasticity in the area
The first results are visible within a few weeks, with a noticeable improvement in the lip mucosa. Usually, a total of two to three sessions are required to achieve the desired result, although in some cases a single session is sufficient.
This treatment is performed under local anaesthesia and does not require hospitalisation. However, it is important to bear in mind that swelling of the lip mucosa usually occurs and may last between 10 and 12 days.
In some more complex cases, the result can be further improved with cheiloplasty following the laser session.
Lip reshaping
When treating granulomas in the lips, our goal goes far beyond removing these filler products; we must give the lips a harmonious appearance that is in keeping with the patient’s wishes.
Once the deformities have been reshaped, SR-LIP allows us to vaporise aesthetically undesirable protrusions caused by tissue distension. In other words, we can rejuvenate and reshape the vermilion of the lips to give them a more harmonious appearance.
Similarly, this technique allows us to gradually reduce excess volume, giving the lips an appearance that is in line with the patient’s wishes. For example, part of the volume can be maintained instead of restoring the lips to their original appearance, with which the patient was not satisfied.
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