Lip augmentation procedures can plump and shape lips using various techniques. Treatments include temporary injectables and permanent surgical procedures.
Restylane and Juvéderm are popular Hyaluronic Acid-based fillers. They can create instantly plumper lips with natural-looking results. The results are temporary and can be dissolved with hyaluronidase if the patient is not satisfied with the results. Fillers not only augment the lips but can also correct unevenness and shape the lip structure. Practitioners use local anesthetic or a topical numbing cream for the procedure. They use a thin needle to inject the filler into the lip line and then massage it in. The lips may be swollen for 48 hours after treatment. As fillers dissolve over time, patients need maintenance sessions every four months for long-lasting results.
Another injectable treatment used to enhance the lip is Botox and Dysport. Unlike dermal fillers, neuromodulators do not add volume to the lips. Instead, they weaken the muscles to create a pouty look, giving the illusion of fuller lips. Practitioners inject these above the lip, and the results last four months.
Surgical procedures include fat transfer and implants. Fat transfer is a surgical procedure that can plump the lips and give natural and permanent results. However, these results can be unpredictable as not all the injected fat may survive. The procedure begins by collecting fat from other body areas, such as the abdomen, through liposuction. Surgeons harvest the fat through a cannula and separate it to derive pure fat cells. Once the purified fat is transferred into a syringe, they inject it into the lips while the patient is under local anesthetic. Patients may experience 3-7 days of swelling and need a week to recover.
A lip implant is a surgical procedure that creates permanent results, which can also be removed if required. Surgeons customize the implant to fit each patient's lip shape and cosmetic goals. Using local anesthetic, they make incisions at the corner of the lip where they insert the implant. The implant goes through a tunnel created by the surgeon before they trim away any excess and close the incision with stitches. Patients will experience a week of swelling.
A lip lift surgery removes the skin above the lip to create a lifted, poutier lip. The 1-hour procedure is performed under local anesthetic and may leave a small scar under the nose that usually fades after a few months. The final results are permanent and natural-looking.
