Lip Augmentation

Lip augmentation is used by men and women of all ages in order to achieve plumper, more attractive lips, and reduce wrinkles around the mouth. It may be done on one or both of the lips by inserting natural or synthetic material, or by placing material from the inside of the lip to the outside.

Depending on the procedure, results may be temporary or long lasting.

Talk to your surgeon to discuss your needs and surgical options, of which there are many. Each has its own particular advantages and limitations.

Injections

The lips are filled with a soft substance, most commonly fat or collagen, to give them a fuller appearance. Other injectable materials such as Restylane, and Captique may also be used. Recovery time is minimal.

• Collagen injections are temporary and may result in allergic reactions. The injections are done via small needles every 1-3 months.


• Restylane: it is a natural cosmetic dermal filler made of non-animal-based hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid is a natural substance that already exists in the human body and is used to provide volume and fullness to the skin. It corrects moderate to to severe facial wrinkles and folds such as the lines from your nose to the corners of your mouth (nasolabials folds). It has been used by plastic surgeons since 1996 wolrwide and generally the the effects last for about six months.


• Fat injections make use of your own purified fat, usually from your abdomen or thighs. Because it is from your own body, there is no risk of an allergic reaction. The injections are temporary and are often performed more than once for optimal results.


• Captique: The newest FDA approved non-animal stabilized hyaluronic acid dermal filler. It is a clear gel containing a purified form of hyaluronic acids that adds volume lost during the aging process by temporarily smoothing out facial lines and wrinkles. It is injected just under the skin's surface in order to temporarily correct wrinkles. Simple procedure that can be done during your lunch hour. It can be used to fill in smile lines and frown lines between the eyes.

Grafts

Grafting is done with fat or synthetic material through small incisions inside the mouth or via injection. AllorDerm and SoftForm are two popular materials used to enhance the lips. Recovery is typically more painful than injections, and time to return to activities may take one to two weeks.

• Fat grafting: fat harvested from your own body is injected by needle into various areas of the lips. It is long lasting in about half of all patients, however it may be absorbed by others in whom results are more temporary.


• Local Flaps: material from the inside of the mouth is pushed into the lip for enhancement. It is a temporary procedure, often used in conjunction with grafting. Incisions may be made inside the mouth or above the lip.

Laser

Check with your doctor to see if laser rejuvenation, which tightens the natural tissue of the lips, is available.

Lip augmentations may take a half an hour to two hours depending on the procedure. If you are healthy you will not need to be hospitalized for surgery. It can be done under local anesthesia with sedation on an outpatient basis; you will leave for the comforts of home within a few hours.

Though the procedure are painless, patients may experience discomfort and swelling afterward; less discomfort is typically experienced with injections versus grafts and flaps.

Consult your surgeon in order to discuss more fully all of your lip augmentation options. If you are not ready to commit to a permanent augmentation, opting for a temporary lip-enhancement may be your best initial choice.

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