There are many treatment options available for patients who are interested in the process of lip augmentation, both surgical and nonsurgical. Still, lip augmentation should be carefully considered before any procedures are planned, just like any other form of aesthetic surgery. If you’ve been thinking about enhancing the look of your lips, there are several things to consider. Read on for more information as you decide whether or not to pursue lip augmentation.
What Does Lip Augmentation Do?
Simply put, lip augmentation is a procedure designed to enhance the size and shape of the lips. It can be performed in a number of ways and for many different reasons. Typically, the lips will appear fuller and plumper following a lip augmentation. Your treatment might also improve the appearance of lines and wrinkles. Lip augmentation can be surgical or nonsurgical, temporary or permanent.
Why Do Patients Seek Lip Augmentation?
The simple answer to why patients seek lip augmentation is that they want to improve their lips. There’s more to it than that, however. Lip augmentation is designed for patients who want to: restore lost volume and shape to their lips, correct down-turning lips, replace lost moisture from their lips, fill in the upper lip line, redefine the border of their lips, achieve larger lips, and provide anti-aging treatments to the lips. Working with your facial plastic surgeon, you can achieve the results you want for your lips by talking about your reason for surgery.
What Are the Treatment Options for Lip Augmentation?
Lip augmentation can be performed in a number of ways, both surgical and nonsurgical in nature. If you’re considering a lip augmentation, you will likely be offered the following choices for your procedure:
- Collagen injections, a nonsurgical treatment that plumps the lip with human-derived dermal collagen, a safe and biocompatible material. Lips plumped with collagen will need to receive a touch-up in three to five months if desired.
- Restylane and Juvederm, two choices for nonsurgical dermal fillers that are made from biocompatible hyaluronic acid. Results typically last four to six months following these injections, with re-treatments available to patients as needed.
- Fat injections, a minimally invasive surgery that harvests fat from one part of the body to inject elsewhere. Lips enhanced with fat injections are natural-looking and long-lasting. Eventually, the body may reabsorb the fat and a new injection will be needed. Fat cells can be stored at your clinic for up to four years, so harvesting won’t be needed every visit.
- Advanta is a synthetic, tubular material of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene, the material used to make Gore-Tex. Yes, it can be used safely and effectively to plump the lips. Advanta is inserted surgically and serves as a permanent solution for thin lips.
- A lip lift is a surgical procedure designed to turn excess skin into plumper lips. The upper lip is rolled slightly upward and surgically secured, creating a permanent result.
- The Perma Implant is the newest technology used in lip augmentation, serving as a permanent lip implant that defines the shape and increase the volume of your lips.
As you make your decision, consider what effect you want to achieve with your lips and how long you want it to last. Your aesthetic facial plastic surgeon can guide you to the choice that makes the most sense for you. Just be prepared to talk about why you want to change your lips and what results you have in mind.
Am I a Good Candidate for Lip Augmentation?
To be a good candidate for lip augmentation, you must first consider your reasons for wanting to modify the appearance of your lips. If you are trying to change your appearance to please someone else or fit an idealized image, this may not be the right choice for you. However, if you’re hoping to modify your lips in a realistic way to boost your own self-confidence and improve your self-image, this could be a good decision for you.
During your lip augmentation consultation, your aesthetic surgeon will assess your eligibility for a surgical or nonsurgical lip augmentation. You should be in good overall health and not smoke. You might not be able to receive lip augmentation treatments if you have an active infection like oral herpes, diabetes, lupus, or difficulties with blood clotting. Discuss your medical history with your surgeon to determine the safest and best treatment choice for your lip augmentation.
Learn More About Lip Augmentation
Begin your journey to lip augmentation with a consultation. Let Dr. Sheldon S. Kabaker guide you through the transplant process. As an Aesthetic Facial Plastic Surgeon and Hair Transplant Specialist, he also offers nonsurgical skincare treatments at his practice. He is the San Francisco Bay Area’s most experienced Facial Plastic Surgeon, founder and director of California’s longest standing office surgery facility, Past President of International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS), and a world’s leading authority on hairline lowering surgery. He is an internationally recognized authority on facial plastic surgery and hair/scalp reconstruction surgery, specializing in hair/scalp surgery,facelifting and associated facial rejuvenation procedures.Dr. Kabaker has studied and taught facial plastic surgery internationally in countries including France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Israel, Mexico, Argentina, the United Kingdom and Australia. Today, he continues to educate himself while delivering superior results to his patients. To book a consultation with Dr. Kabaker, contact his office located at 3324 Webster Street in Oakland, California, by calling (415) 379-9015.