Lip augmentation is a cosmetic treatment that enhances the appearance of the lips, making them plumper and fuller.
There are different procedures that can enhance the lips, from simple injections (dermal fillers) to surgical implantations. The use of dermal fillers is the most common when it comes to lip augmentation.
There are different types of fillers that can be injected into the mouth to improve the look of the lips. The most common fillers used are hyaluronic acid fillers. They contain a substance similar to hyaluronic acid, a natural substance of the body that is responsible for adding volume to the tissues.
Collagen is also used as dermal filler, although already less often these days. Fat injections can also plump up the lips.
Generally, hyaluronic acid fillers enhance the appearance of the lips, giving it more volume, structure, and shape. A lot of hyaluronic acid fillers are already made available in the market. These include Restylane, Juvederm, and Perlane, all of which contain a local anesthetic called lidocaine to make the patient as comfortable as possible during the treatment.
During a lip implantation, the patient is placed under local anesthesia. The procedure should take an hour more or less. An incision is made at each corner if the mouth in order to make the scar less visible.
The gel in this type of dermal filler shapes the tissues on the lips once injected. It has a lot of benefits, including:
Alpine Plastic Surgery Clinic in Salt Lake City, UT accommodates patients who wish to have fuller lips. Dr. Randall Barnett and his team can determine if you are a good candidate for the procedure or not. Most likely, you are not suitable for lip augmentation if you currently have:
During your initial consultation with Dr. Barnett, make sure to discuss any current allergies or medications you are taking. You may also have to recall any previous surgeries or diseases. Choosing the right doctor is crucial in order to determine the option that suits you best.
In the case of injectable fillers, the procedure can be performed easily and quickly in a doctor’s office. Downtime is little to none. On the other hand, fat injections take longer since liposuction is still needed to remove fat from a certain area in the body before it is reinjected.
Prior to injections, a topical numbing agent may be applied to promote ease and comfort during the procedure. Areas in the lip are then marked carefully. The fillers are injected into the lips with the use of fine needles.
The procedure usually lasts for 5 to 30 minutes depending on the skills of the surgeon and areas that are treated.
After treatment, you may notice some swelling and pain that usually last for a few days only. At times, redness and swelling may last up to 2 weeks.
Your lips may appear bigger right after the procedure because of the injected filler and since your lips may also swell. After the swelling fades, you may already notice the effect of the filler alone.
The result could last up to 12 months with fillers and may be permanent with an implant. If you want to maintain the effects of the procedure, you may have to undergo a series of treatments.
As with any other procedure, lip augmentation also poses temporary side effects. These include:
A patient who undergoes lip augmentation could also be at risk for the following:
