BLOG spot Fill Them Up BOYS!!! By Will Fennell
Recently I found myself at a dinner party, looking up around at my table guests and I realised I was the only one that would have drowned if our airplane had actually gone down into the pacific. There was so much collagen in their lips, they would have all floated, well mouth up anyway, like those fish gulping for air. But who am I to judge on something I really know nothing about? I am the first one to try out any new lotion or potion that arrives in my salon. It is important that I can give my male clients an informed opinion on what’s good and what’s not. This story however was different. How was I going to discuss the process of a lip enhancement without going through one myself? For several weeks I had a vision of myself walking out of the clinic after the lip enhancement holding the weight of my lips with both my hands. I had to have another plan. My business partner Peta didn’t need much convincing in helping me. “Oh darling”, she said “Whilst I have never been touched by the surgeon’s knife (eye roll), I would do anything in the name of research and so should you”. So, we made the arrangements by phoning the clinic and an appointment was made for the following week. LUBBER LIPS HERE I COME! Day One: I arrive at the clinic, and I am introduced to the trained nurse who will be giving me my new lips. She explains to me that Restylane is a naturally occurring component of the skin. When artificially injected into the skin it acts as a filler which will plump out fine lines, wrinkles, or in my case my “not happy-Jan” lips. Restylane is non-permanent and is slowly absorbed into the body. She assures me that the results should last six months. I reiterate again and again “ DON’T FORGET, I AM A MAN”. She smiles, well I think it is a smile, she has had so much filler and Botox her grandma might have passed away the day before, but who would be the wiser. As the nurse prepares me for the treatment, she explains that there will be some swelling, but that it should subside after a couple of days. I had already decided to just do the top lip, so a local anaesthetic is injected into the upper lip. The needle disappears into my mouth and my lip is soon numb. The Restylane is first injected into the border of the lip and then into the area underneath my lip to give volume and thickness. The entire procedure takes about thirty minutes. When finished I can look in the mirror and the first thing, I think is that I want to punch Peta. I had bee-sting lips.
54
Beauty Biz Year 14 Issue 3
Yes, the devious little witch broke her promise. I am reassured that they were only swollen, and the swelling would settle down. Day Two: My top lip is still VERY swollen. The bus ride to work is an ordeal, as I feel everyone has their eyes on me. I then realise that it isn’t my lips, but I have turmeric froth all over my upper grey moustache, but it’s a small consolation. My work mates get a load of mileage out of this, but I know they will be so jealous in a couple of days. Or at worst unfriend me on social media? Day Three: Swelling is gone, and my lips look fantastic. They have really settled down and I am very happy with the results. However, one thing I would like to say to any therapists encouraging their male client into this cosmetic treatment, is to show restraint when it comes to the size. This is not a porn movie, bigger is not always better. Verdict: Honestly, it’s not for me and I won’t do it again. But don’t get me wrong, we should encourage our male clients to try new things and that is OUR job. We just need to be the experts. It is important to research and know your stuff and then present the information to your client in a non-biased way. Caution: Most importantly is find yourself a really experienced cosmetic filler interested in listening to what your male clients want. Find someone that specialises in men!!!!! Something to note is that some well-respected doctors are now saying that the injection of these cosmetic fillers may preserve your own natural Collagen. We will wait to see if this is fact or fiction, but in the meantime as Goldie Hawn said in the First Wives Club “Just fill them up”! (But, if your client is a bloke, perhaps it’s best you encourage them to say “Just fill em....... half up)!!! Will Fennell is an International Trainer for BIODROGA Cosmetics To contact him @willfennell_leskinbar.com.au www.biodroga.com.au
