Lip Augmentation – Lip Enhancement Options
There are several different methods available for lip augmentation or lip enhancement. The methods can be divided into surgical and non-surgical procedures.
o Lip augmentation without surgery– Fillers such as Restylane(TM), Juvederm(TM) and others can be injected into the lips to create a youthful full lip. Filler injections not only fill the lip but also loosen the lip skin, which has the effect of diminishing lip lines and wrinkles.
When injected correctly, fillers turn the pink part of the upper lip up, reducing the distance between the pink lip and the nose. This helps create a more youthful appearance to the lip, as the lip tends to droop and lengthen as we age. The only downside to fillers is that they have to be repeated at least once a year, sometimes after six months.
o Surgical Lip Augmentation– There are several surgical methods to enhance the lips. The most common are:
1. Fat injections– The fat is extracted from another area of the body, such as the hip. The removed fat is treated in a way to improve “take” or survival after transplantation. The fat is then injected into the lip to plump and plump the tissue. Fat injection works, but there is prolonged swelling and bruising after fat injection. Since 50% of the fat will dissolve, the surgeon must correct the injection. It can take three to six months for the final result to be seen.
2. Lip augmentation with lip implants– There are several implants that can be used. These implants are small and soft and very different from breast implants. Small pieces of Gortex(TM) have been used for many years. The newer implants are like small, long balloons that are inserted into the lips. The results of lip augmentation with lip implants can be excellent and are permanent, unlike fillers. However, implants present a risk of rejection by the body. If implants are rejected and need to be removed, significant scarring and deformity can result.
3. Lip lift surgery– There are two common lip lift procedures. The best is a newer technique done on the inside of the upper lip, so there is no visible scar. During the lip lift procedure, small flaps of the mucosa (pink tissue in the mouth) are gathered to push the lip out and up. The results can be great, and the lack of visible scarring is a big plus.
The oldest lip lift methods used an external incision under the nose. The skin on the upper lip near the nostrils was removed, thus pulling the upper lip up. While this technique does improve age-related lip enlargement, the scarring is unacceptable in my opinion.
Why do people get lip augmentation?
o Modern concepts of beauty– Today, plump and voluminous lips are considered an ideal component of facial beauty. The popularity of Angelina Jolie’s face as an American example of a beautiful face often centers primarily on her full lips. We are now a multicultural society, very different from fifty years ago when the Caucasian face with thinner lips dominated beauty magazines. Hispanic, African-American, and Asian concepts of beauty have always included full lips, and modern American beauty ideals have embraced this feature as our multicultural society has evolved.
o Full lips look younger-As our face ages, striking changes occur in our lips. As we age, skin laxity develops on the face and the lip begins to droop, lengthen, and turn inward. The pink part of the lip, the beautiful cupid’s bow, the part of the upper lip that curves, becomes less obvious as the lip turns inward. Also, lip wrinkles, lip lines, and lip lines develop as we age. These lines are the result of years of puckering of the lip muscles and create an aged appearance in the mouth.
Botox(TM) helps lip augmentation
o Botox(TM) eliminates wrinkles – Botox(TM) relaxes the lip muscles that cause puckering and therefore lip lines. If a patient has lip wrinkles, I usually inject a filler, such as Restylane(TM) or Juvederm(TM) and also inject a small amount of Botox(TM).
o Botox(TM) lifts the mouth– Botox provides a lip lift when the Detrussor muscle (the muscle in the chin that pushes the lip and mouth down) is weakened. As we age, the mouth turns downward, especially at the corners. This contributes to marionette lines and double chins. A small amount of Botox(TM) relaxes the muscle that pushes the lips down and lifts the lips at the corners of the mouth.
How much does lip augmentation cost?
o Filler injections-Filler injections cost between $400 and $750, depending on the amount of filler used.
or Surgery– Lip implant surgery can cost between $1,500 and $5,000 depending on the surgery involved, the type of implant, and the length of the procedure.
Who should do my lip augmentation?
or Fillers– My own opinion is that you should see an expert who is experienced in lip injection techniques. Typically this would be a board certified plastic surgeon. Many board certified dermatologists also do fillers.
The key is to find a doctor who has experience creating a beautiful lip with fillers. It is not easy to get a perfect result. Experience and technical skill are important. Ask the doctor to show you photos of her work. Ask how many lip injections have been done. Trust your instincts about the answer you get.
o Lip augmentation surgery-My own opinion is that a board certified plastic surgeon with experience in lip surgery should be consulted. The lips are a complex vital structure of the face with very important aesthetic and functional components. Therefore, I believe that you will be better served by seeking a board certified plastic surgeon who has experience in lip surgery.
I always recommend seeing two surgeons before deciding. Ask how many lip procedures the doctor has performed and ask to see the results.
Lip enhancement can add beauty and youth to your face. Modern filler injections are easy and a wonderful way to start. I always recommend that my patients try filler injection and possibly Botox(TM) first. If they love the result but want a permanent solution, then we consider the surgical option.
