As a proponent of natural beauty, I had never considered altering my appearance through aesthetic medicine. However, a few weeks ago, intrigued by the approach proposed by Maison Lutetia, I decided to subtly boost the volume of my lips (and, in the process, my self-esteem) using hyaluronic acid injections.
Maison Lutetia, a Parisian aesthetic medicine clinic nestled in the 17th arrondissement, is a charming address favored by celebrities. Here, the “less is more” philosophy so characteristic of French style is reflected in every treatment offered, whether for the face, body, or hair.
“Maison Lutetia is the temple of gentle, non-invasive aesthetic medicine, for French-style results,” explains Dr. Sarah Fadli, the clinic’s aesthetic doctor. “We seek natural results, far from the ostentatious injection trends seen on social media… where all faces end up looking alike! The goal of our aesthetic medicine is to preserve and enhance the charm of each patient over time. Therefore, lips should be treated with expertise and gentleness to accompany and slow down the skin aging process.”
It was with this spirit that a technique unique to Maison Lutetia was born: the French Kiss. The goal: to plump up the mouth naturally and custom-tailored. Here’s an explanation from Dr. Sarah Fadli.
What You Need to Know About the French Kiss, a Hyaluronic Acid Lip Volume Enhancement Technique
Dr. Sarah Fadli explains, “The French Kiss is an injection technique exclusive to Maison Lutetia. It’s about enhancing the natural assets of the lips without distorting the charm of the face. The goal is to achieve an authentic result. The French Kiss should reveal the beauty of the face, without overshadowing other features: the patient’s personality must be respected. To achieve this, we can use different product crosslinking depending on the desired outcome. For example, it is possible to hydrate and outline a lip with a malleable fluid hyaluronic acid. For more volume, a denser hyaluronic acid can slightly project the mouth and add softness to the features. It is thanks to the three-dimensional property that the difference between hyaluronic acids is noticeable. Ideally, we add volume gradually, session after session, so that the injected hyaluronic acid almost merges with the one naturally present in the lip! Technically, we favor the cannula passed through the side of the lips for natural results, but also to avoid product migration. This way, the tissues are preserved and the risk of bruising is significantly reduced.
The results of the French Kiss are very different from those of the ostentatious Russian Lips technique, which involves puffing up the mouth with a needle on top of the lips without taking into account the proportions of the face. Moreover, the needle often leaves bruises and swelling… Over time, the hyaluronic acid injected vertically can migrate and leave a kind of hyaluronic acid mustache! This is what we avoid above all with our elegant French Kiss.”
“The results last up to 18 months, depending on lifestyle and metabolism.”
“For a few days, it is best to avoid alcohol, aspirin, anti-inflammatories, sun, and saunas. The immediate aftermath may sometimes be marked by the appearance of slight swelling and skin redness, the severity and duration of which vary depending on the injected product and the patient, but remain moderate. Return to social and professional life is immediate after the injections. To preserve the results, intense exercise should be avoided in the days following the session, as well as intense heat. You should also avoid radiofrequency, HIFU, and laser treatments in the month following the injection! It’s better to have them done before your injection.”
My Impressions
On the day of the appointment, I was quickly reassured by the kind and caring demeanor of Dr. Sarah Fadli. She first listened to my expectations (“correcting the asymmetry of my lips without anyone suspecting the use of aesthetic medicine!”) before applying the right amount of hyaluronic acid (less than a syringe) to hydrate rather than plump my lips. To achieve a harmonious result, she started by adding fullness to my upper lip, before very slightly touching up my lower lip. During the three to four days following the treatment, the lips are swollen due to the anesthesia (especially on the day of the treatment) and may have some bruising. Allow a maximum of 4 to 5 days for them to disappear. This volume from the first few days, too pronounced for my taste, fortunately dissipated quickly, giving way to a subtly plumped mouth, and a better-defined outline, which magnified and softened the overall appearance of my face with a “doll” effect, as I was kindly reminded during my follow-up appointment two weeks later. More than the volume, this technique simply enhanced the overall look of my face. Totally satisfied with this meticulous work, I declined the option of injecting the rest of the product. This boost, although slight, makes all the difference, in my opinion. And it also increases my confidence in myself.
More information on the French Kiss technique offered at Maison Lutetia can be found here.
