Lip Enhancement

It is a cosmetic procedure that gives fuller, plumper lips, and smooth vertical lines around the lips and mouth by adding or restoring the lip volume.

The use of non-invasive treatments such as fillers injection is increasingly popular for gaining natural looking effect that lasts longer than 1 year.

Conditions for lip enhancement:

• Thin and aging lips to restore volume
• Smooth vertical lip lines
• Symmetry between upper and lower lips
• Shaping thin and flat lips

Techniques of lip enhancement:
1. Injectable Dermal fillers

This is popular non-surgical option for temporary effect available at an affordable cost. Its effect lasts 4 to 12 months depending upon the doctor’s experience. It offers soft and natural looking effect, smooth vertical lines around lips and mouth, refines shape and volume depending upon the type of filler.

Advantages of lip filling:

• Short treatment time i.e. 15 to 30 minutes

• Less amount of filler can give precise results, if the doctor is experienced

• No or less downtime

• Results are immediately noticeable and get final effect within 2 weeks

• Mild side effects includes temporary bruising, swelling or redness at injection site

Disadvantages of lip filling:

• Requires periodic repetition of the injections to maintain results

• The doctor should have vast experience and skill

• Rarely filler products may be allergenic

The examples of injectable fillers are hyaluronic acid and collagen. Amongst these hyaluronic acid is most commonly used than collagen due to its natural occurrence in the body and less side effects.

Marketed products of hyaluronic acid used as fillers:

• Restylane, Restylane-L, Restylane Silk

• Juvederm Ultra, Juvederm Ultra Plus

• Belotero Balance

• HylaForm

• Elevess

• Prevelle Silk

• Captique

All of the products used in the similar way and offers equal results. Some of these products contains lidocaine. After injection fillers support and shape the tissues of the lips. Before injection topical or local numbing agent may be applied to ease discomfort.

2. Fat injections

It is also called “autologous fat grafting” can be done without incision. If performed by experienced doctor gives very natural, beautiful lip contour that lasts for years.

Advantages of fat injections:

• Looks and feels very natural and permanent effect

• No incision required

• No risk of allergic reactions

• No repeat treatment is required once final effect is obtained

Disadvantages of fat injections:

• Requires liposuction which is partly a surgical procedure

• Highly experienced and skilled surgeon is required

• May require large downtime of several days

• Rarely, fat won’t survive at new location and new treatment required

• Unable to reverse in case of unwanted effects
  
  3. Lip implants

This is semi-permanent technique of lip enhancement that requires minimal maintenance. The implants are made of soft, pliable silicon rubber or biodegradable material. The surgery requires local anesthesia and incision inside the mouth to implant the material.

Advantages of lip implants:

• Effect lasts for many years

• Required skilled and experienced doctor

• Downtime of 1-3 days

Disadvantages of lip implants:

• In case to reversal another surgery is required to remove the implants

• Implants do not smooth the fine lines of lips

• Risk of infection and bleeding do exist as like any other surgery

Ideal candidate for surgery:

• Person should have realistic expectations

• Person should be non-diabetic, non-smoker, without active infection of oral herpes, patients without lupus, blood clotting factors