What Is Lip Augmentation:
Lip augmentation is a cosmetic procedure designed to create fuller, smoother lips, and can also reduce fine lines around the mouth. Lip augmentation can be accomplished with the use of injectable fillers, implants, or through other surgical techniques. This is not only an appearance-enhancing procedure, but also an anti-aging procedure, since thinner lips are one of the most noticeable and universal signs of aging.
Who Is a Good Candidate:
The best candidates for lip augmentation are non-smokers who are in generally good health and who have a positive outlook and realistic expectations about the procedure’s outcome. Those with very thin lips, fine lines around the mouth, or asymmetry of the lips can benefit from lip augmentation.
Pre-Operative Considerations:
With certain filler materials, your surgeon may require a skin allergy test prior to performing the procedure. Patients who exhibit a reaction to the skin test, those with a serious allergy history, or those who are allergic to lidocaine should not undergo lip augmentation. In addition, the procedure will usually be postponed if you have an active infection (such as a herpes outbreak) or other inflammatory skin condition present. As with all other cosmetic procedures, you should let your surgeon know about any medications or herbal supplements you may be taking.
Post-Operative Care:
Even with surgical lip augmentation procedures, incisions are usually tiny and heal quickly. Therefore, no special wound care is usually required. Most patients find that intermittent application of a cold pack can helps with swelling and bruising.
Recovery & Downtime :
When performed as a stand-alone procedure, most non-surgical lip augmentations are considered a “lunchtime” procedure, meaning you can return to work immediately afterward. However, some swelling and bruising is normal, and can last an average of 3 to 7 days. On the other hand, surgical methods of lip augmentation can come with up to a one week recovery period. Guidelines vary based on the technique and type of filler material used.
Risks & Complications :
Risks and possible complications include: bleeding, asymmetry, migration (movement) of the implant, extrusion of the implant (the implant or filler pokes or oozes out from under the skin, usually through the incision or injection site), and allergic reactions which can cause prolonged redness, itching, swelling, or firmness at the injection site. Warning: For your own safety, lip injections should be performed only by a qualified physician. Liquid silicone injections are not legal in many countries, including the U.S., because of unacceptable levels of risk to patients.
Costs:
The average total cost for lip augmentation is between $300 and $1000 per session for most injectable fillers. However, fat transfers can be more expensive, as are surgical options for augmentation. These can range from $1500 to $5000, depending on the specific technique and materials used, as well as the geographical area. Keep in mind that the cost of injectable fillers may actually end up being more than permanent options, since repeated treatments are required to keep your new fuller pout.
Complementary Procedures:
Lip augmentation is often done in conjunction with other procedures to enhance the patient’s results. In an office visit, these complementary procedures can include the use of the same or similar fillers in other areas of the face (resulting in what is known as a liquid face lift), Botox injections, laser skin resurfacing, or non-surgical skin tightening procedures. Sometimes, lip augmentation is done as the last step in a complete facial “makeover” while the patient is still under anesthesia after getting a more serious operation such as a face lift.
How It’s Done:
There are many different techniques used today for lip augmentation, each with its own list of pros and cons. The first is the injection method, wherein a liquid/gel-consistency filler material is injected underneath the skin of the lips and vermillion border. The second involves making tiny incisions inside the corners of the mouth and implanting a biocompatible solid (but flexible) implant. A lesser-known option does not use implants or fillers at all, but uses a V-shaped incision inside the mouth which is then sutured into a "Y". This rolls the lip outward, creating a subtly fuller-looking lip.
Lip Augmentation Options:
- Collagen – a natural injectable substance which gives the skin its support; bovine collagen (derived from cows) is the usual source; effects last 3 to 4 months, and must be repeated to maintain the desired effect
- HylaForm, Restlyane - clear injectable gels made from hyaluronic acid, similar to the hyaluronic acid naturally found in the human body; Hylaform lasts about 3 months, while Restylane lasts about 6 months
- Radiance – injectable filler made of calcium-based microspheres suspended in a water-based gel; provides both immediate and extended results because it stimulates production of collagen and encourages tissue regeneration; lasts up to 1 to 2 years
- Autologous Fat - the patient’s own fat; no risk of rejection, but most of the fat is eventually re-absorbed by the body, so repeated treatments are necessary; provides longer-lasting results than collagen, but can have lumping or scarring effects, and must be harvested from another part of the patient’s body
- Alloderm, Dermalogen - products made from donated cadaver tissue which eventually becomes integrated with the patient’s own natural tissues; is not rejected by the body; generally produces a pliable, natural feel
- Autologen - injectable dermal implant material made from the patient's own skin; no risk of rejection
- Fascia - donor tissue made from the dense white connective tissue that supports body structure; can be used as an injectable or a surgical implant
- Gore-Tex, Soft-Form - permanent, synthetic surgical implants which do carry a small risk of rejection by the body, though they are generally well-tolerated
- VeraFil – inflatable saline implants (yes, like breast implants); like all saline-filled implants, there is a risk of deflation; although long-lasting, will probably eventually need to be replaced
- The V-Y Technique – surgical technique which uses no implants or fillers; results are subtle but permanent
- Laser Lip Rejuvenation – not actually an “augmentation” procedure, but can provide a lifting and smoothing effect to the lips by tightening the lips’ underlying collagen and elastin support structure
Sources:
Interview with Fardad Forouzanpour,DO,FACOS,FAACS, Beverly Hills, CA; September 29, 2008
Lip Augmentation, Consumer Information Sheet, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, http://www.surgery.org/public/procedures/lip_augmentation
Product Information Sheet on Brand-Name Dermal Fillers, Liquid Face Lift Association; http://www.liquidfacelift.com/liquidfaceliftproducts.asp
