For years, fuller lips were synonymous with aesthetic treatments. Bigger was often seen as better. Today, however, the trend has shifted dramatically.
According to one of Ireland’s best known aesthetic practitioners, Kerry Hanaphy, with a clinic at the Blackpool Shopping Centre, the era of overfilled lips has well and truly passed. Instead, clients are looking for subtle enhancement, natural definition and treatments that simply make them look like the best version of themselves.
Known throughout Ireland as the “Queen of Lips”, Kerry has spent more than two decades refining lip enhancement techniques and says today’s clients are asking for something very different to what they wanted even five or ten years ago.
“Since lockdown, we’ve become much more natural in everything we do,” she says.
“Nobody wears heels every day anymore. Everyone is in trainers. Makeup is softer. Fashion is more relaxed and aesthetics have followed exactly the same path. People don’t want huge lips anymore. They want lips that look like they were born with them.”
The lips are one of the three focal points of the face, alongside the eyes and nose, and even subtle changes can dramatically improve facial balance.
Research has shown that facial symmetry and proportion play a significant role in how we perceive attractiveness, with the lips acting as one of the most expressive features of the face. Rather than creating volume for the sake of it, modern lip enhancement is increasingly about restoring definition, correcting asymmetry and supporting the natural architecture of the mouth.
“Kerry explains.” “It’s all maths.We all have two eyes, one nose and one mouth. When you improve proportion and balance, people don’t suddenly look different, they just look fresher. That’s always been my philosophy.”
Rather than creating dramatically larger lips, much of Kerry’s work focuses on restoring the vermilion border, the natural outline of the lips as well as subtly enhancing the lips.
“As we age, tiny cracks begin to appear around the borders of the lips. Lipstick starts bleeding into those lines and makeup doesn’t sit properly anymore. What I’m often doing isn’t making lips bigger at all. I’m restoring the border, correcting areas that have weakened and giving back definition that has naturally been lost.”
The treatments sought by people of different ages can vary according to Kerry. “Some people naturally have very thin lips but beautiful shape. A tiny amount of volume can soften the face and create a lovely natural pout without anyone ever knowing you’ve had treatment.”
As we move into our late thirties, forties and beyond, the focus often changes, she explains. “The corners of the mouth begin to turn down slightly and we lose support around what’s called the perioral areas, the skin surrounding the mouth. We don’t just treat the lips any more. We support the entire area around the mouth, lifting the corners and restoring structure. Done properly, it can take years off a face without anyone being able to pinpoint exactly why you look fresher.”
While aesthetic medicine has evolved enormously over the past decade, Kerry believes one issue still concerns her the number of people offering injectable treatments without the correct medical training.
“There are young people doing short courses in lip fillers and under current legislation they may not be doing anything illegal, but there is a huge difference between learning to inject and understanding facial anatomy.”
As a registered nurse, Kerry says every consultation begins with a medical assessment.
“We’re looking at medical history first. Are they taking steroids? Blood thinners? Are they well enough for treatment? We also have to assess expectations. If someone has body dysmorphic disorder or they’re looking for treatment because of anxiety or depression, that’s a completely different conversation. Sometimes the right answer is simply not to treat.”
Choosing the correct product is just as important as choosing the practitioner. “There are many different hyaluronic acid fillers on the market, but they’re certainly not all the same,” she explains.
“Different fillers are designed for different parts of the face. The lips need products specifically developed for the movement and softness of lip tissue. Some fillers are much more heavily cross-linked and can leave the lips feeling firm or uneven. We use premium fillers that are designed specifically for lips rather than using one product for every area of the face.”
One of the biggest misconceptions Kerry encounters is price. “If something seems unbelievably cheap, there is usually a reason. People don’t realise the difference in the quality of products being used or whether they’re actually receiving the amount of filler they think they’re paying for. When you’re putting something into your face, quality should always come before price.”
She encourages anyone considering lip enhancement to ask plenty of questions before committing to treatment. “Ask about qualifications. . Ask how experienced the practitioner is. Ask what products they use and why they’ve chosen them.
“You should never feel embarrassed asking those questions.” The amount of filler required also varies enormously from person to person. Most clients today choose around 0.7ml because it gives a beautiful natural enhancement.
Results are immediate, but longevity depends on the individual. “Some people only need treatment every year or even every two years. Your metabolism plays a role. People who exercise intensely or burn a lot of calories often metabolise filler more quickly. Stress can also affect how long treatments last.”
Before treatment, Kerry recommends avoiding alcohol for at least 48 hours where possible and avoiding unnecessary anti-inflammatory medication, as both increase the likelihood of bruising. Afterwards, she advises clients to skip saunas, sunbeds and alcohol for the remainder of the day to allow the area to settle properly.
Ultimately, Kerry believes aesthetics should never be about chasing perfection. “It’s not vanity. It’s self-care. People go to the gym to look after their body. They look after their teeth, their hair and their skin.
“When someone looks in the mirror and simply feels fresher or more confident, that’s incredibly rewarding. My job isn’t to change someone’s face. It’s to help them look like themselves, just well rested, refreshed and confident.”
Follow Kerry on Instagram here https://www.instagram.com/kerry.hanaphy
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