Many people desire to have beautiful, full lips. Voluptuous lips can make someone appear more attractive and youthful, and they can help create a flattering smile. Aging, heredity, and the effects of time can negatively transform the lips. A person may have always had small lips or may have developed thin, wrinkled lips over time. Many people want to improve the appearance of their lips but find that there aren’t any magical fixes or at-home treatments for achieving their desired look. Fortunately, Dr. Taylor offers many lip augmentation options for adding volume to the lips while correcting fine lines and wrinkles.
Schedule Your Consultation TodayLip Augmentation Techniques
LIP LIFT
Over time, the skin between the upper lip and nostrils can stretch, while the vermilion (the colored portion of the lips) thins out. The corners of the lips begin to droop, and the attractive lip curves start to fade. A surgical lip lift can reverse these effects. The upper lip can be restored to a more full, natural appearance, allowing the upper teeth to show again. An incision is made in the shadow crease between the nostril sill to lift and regain more lip volume and to correct sagging. The scar will be virtually invisible and fade over time.
FAT TRANSFER
As the aging process takes hold, a person may lose fat in certain areas of the face, especially the lips. Loss of lip fat can cause the lips to lose volume and cause wrinkles and creases to form. Fat transfer surgery for the lips continues to grow in popularity. It is a safe and effective treatment for augmenting the lips. Excess fat is extracted from one area of the body using liposuction. The harvested fat is cleaned and placed into syringes. The purified fat is injected into the lips to create more volume and restore lip shape.
SYNTHETIC IMPLANTS
When the lips start to lose fat and elasticity, they begin to decrease in volume and appear aged. Soft Form™ is a synthetic implant option for lip augmentation. AlloDerm™ is a natural collagen sheet made from donated skin that is implanted through small incisions at the corners of the mouth. Once implanted, the collagen will eventually become integrated with the natural lip tissues.
INJECTABLE FILLERS
Injectable fillers are ideal solutions for restoring lip volume and smoothing out fine lines and wrinkles around the mouth. Various options are available depending on the patient’s needs and preferences. Restylane® and Hylaform® are made of a naturally occurring substance found in the body known as hyaluronic acid, which is ideal for targeting moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds around the mouth and lips. JUVÉDERM® is an injectable gel used to add fullness to the lips while softening the appearance of vertical lip lines.
What Does Lip Augmentation Entail?
PROCEDURE
Depending on the patient’s need and goals, there are various surgical and non-surgical procedures a patient can undergo for lip augmentation. Dr. Taylor can perform surgical lip augmentation (lip lift or implants), collagen injections, injectable fillers, or fat transfer surgery to augment and smooth the lips.
RECOVERY
Recovery will vary based on the procedure employed. Patients should avoid the sun, drinking alcohol, strenuous activity, and touching the lips for the first few weeks. There will be some swelling and bruising that will dissipate within a few days to weeks.
SCARS
There may be some scarring associated with lip augmentation depending on the technique. Injection sites are discreet and hidden along the natural lip line and will fade and become less noticeable, if visible at all. The incision for the lip lift procedure is virtually invisible and lies in the shadow crease along the nostrils. Fat transfer involves liposuction, which may result in short, inconspicuous scars in the donor area that will fade over time.
COST
The cost of lip augmentation will depend on the procedure performed and if multiple treatments are required to achieve your desired results. Dr. Taylor will evaluate your facial anatomy and goals to help you determine what your individualized treatment will cost.
PAIN
Typically, discomfort is minimal and can be controlled with pain medication. Patients should see a doctor immediately if they experience any severe pain.
FAQs
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Who are the best candidates for lip augmentation?
Patients who desire fuller, more defined lips or would like to reduce wrinkles around the mouth or along the lips may be good candidates for lip augmentation. The best patients are in good health, have realistic expectations, and want the procedure for themselves.
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What lip augmentation option is right for me?
Collagen and injectable fillers are excellent treatments for a temporary solution to lip augmentation. These treatments are ideal for patients who want to experience a fuller lip look but are not ready to commit to surgery. Patients who want more permanent results may be better suited for a surgical lip lift or fat transfer surgery. Dr. Taylor can go over your options in more detail during a consultation and help you decide on the best treatment for your goals and facial anatomy.
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Can lip augmentation be combined with other cosmetic procedures?
Many people decide to undergo additional procedures while having lip augmentation. Some opt to have other injectable treatments for reducing fine line and wrinkles, such as dermal fillers or BOTOX® Cosmetic. Other patients may decide on surgical procedures such as facelift surgery, brow lift surgery, or eyelid surgery.
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How long will my results last?
Results will depend on the procedure performed and the patient’s skin care regimen. Injectable fillers and collagen injections can last anywhere from a few months to one year. Surgical lip lift, synthetic implants, and fat transfer surgeries are known to last for many years. Patients who practice healthy habits, such as refraining from smoking, are more likely to benefit from longer-lasting results.
