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. Thomas S. Taylor offers many lip augmentation options for adding volume to the lips while correcting fine lines and wrinkles.
Schedule Your Consultation TodayWhat Is Lip Augmentation?
Lip augmentation, also called lip lift surgery, is an aesthetic surgical procedure that alters the shape of the lips to increase volume and enhance the overall appearance. Different lip augmentation options cater to specific concerns and goals, each with its own benefits.
Lip Enhancement Techniques
Lip Lift Procedure
Over time, the skin between the upper lip and nostrils can stretch while the vermilion (the colored portion of the lips) thins out. A surgical lip lift can reverse these effects. As we age, the corners of the lips begin to droop, and the youthful lip curves start to fade. This drooping can be corrected with a corner lip lift technique, which raises the lip corners to create a more aesthetic smile. A direct lip lift can restore the upper lip 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 for Lip Volume
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 lips lose fat and elasticity, they decrease in volume and appear aged. Soft Form™ is a synthetic implant option for lip enhancement. 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 Lip Fillers
Injectable fillers are ideal 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 hyaluronic acid, a naturally occurring substance found in the body. Hyaluronic acid 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.
Benefits of Lip Augmentation
Lip augmentation surgery has many benefits for those interested in improving and enhancing the shape and size of their lips. Some of these benefits may include:
- Addressing aging signs in the lips
- Restoring youthful volume and shape
- Correcting asymmetrical lips
- Defining the lip shape
- Improving the appearance of the upper teeth
- Enhancing your overall smile
- Boosting confidence
The best lip augmentation for you will depend on your anatomy, areas of concern, and goals. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Taylor to learn which option will work best for you.
What Does Lip Augmentation Entail?
Procedure
Depending on the patient’s needs and goals, there are various surgical and non-surgical lip lift 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 depending on the procedure employed. For the first few weeks, patients should avoid the sun, drinking alcohol, strenuous activity, and touching their lips. Some swelling and bruising will occur, but they will dissipate within a few days to weeks.
Results
Swelling will initially obscure your results for a few weeks to a few months. Many patients can see their full lip lift results around four months after their surgery. Lip lift results are designed to be long-lasting and can often be shown off and enjoyed for several years.
Scars
There may be some scarring associated with lip augmentation, depending on the technique. The 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 depends 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. However, patients should see a doctor immediately if they experience severe pain.
Why Choose Dr. Thomas S. Taylor for Lip Lift Surgery?
At Taylor Plastic Surgery Center, Dr. Taylor and his entire team prioritize giving all patients the best possible experience. From the very first consultation to the last follow-up appointment post-surgery, patients can expect to feel comfortable and well taken care of. Dr. Taylor and his staff are available to answer questions and concerns during every step of the lip lift process.
Contact UsSchedule a Lip Enhancement Consultation in Pasadena, CA
Are you ready for your lip enhancement transformation? If you want to address aging lips, obtain plumper lips, or simply improve your lip shape, contact the Taylor Plastic Surgery Center today. To schedule your consultation, call (626) 577-7730 or fill out the online contact form today.
FAQs
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Who are the best candidates for lip lift surgery?
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 enhancement. 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 lift surgery 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 lines 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 skincare regimen. Injectable fillers and collagen injections can last anywhere from a few months to one year. Surgical lip lifts, 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.
