Lip Augmentation

Lip augmentation is a procedure to enhance the fullness of lips and make them more attractive. Just like the rest of our skin, our lips loose collagen and fat during the aging process. There are other factors which accelerate the signs of aging around the lips include smoking and sun exposure.

Lip augmentation is the perfect procedure for those patients who have always had naturally thin lips that they are self-conscious about as well as those who want to return their lips to the shape and fullness they had when they were younger. This is accomplished by implanting synthetic or biological materials into the lips to make them plumper and more appealing.

There are several different substances commonly used in lip augmentation procedures, each with their own particular features and techniques:

AlloDerm - This is the most popular material used for lip augmentation. The patient has a local anesthetic; the material is inserted through tiny incisions made in the inside corners of the mouth, then stitches are used to close the incisions. AlloDerm works with the natural tissues of the body. The material can be absorbed, so the results are only temporary, lasting from 6 months to a year.

Synthetic Implants - Gore-Tex, SoftForm and soft ePTFE are synthetic options with permanent results. They do not shrink, cannot be absorbed into the body, and remain in place because scar tissue forms on either end. The implants are inserted by making a small incision in the inside of the lip. The material is then made into the shape of a small tube and it is inserted with a small needle.

Fat Grafting - Many people choose fat grafting because they are comfortable with the idea of using fat from their own body. The fat is harvested from another area of the body, often the abdomen or thighs. It is then prepared and inserted with a needle into the lip from more than one point. This procedure has permanent results in approximately half of the people who try it, although the body can reabsorb it,

After the lip augmentation procedure, you may experience some pain and swelling. This usually lasts a few days, and your recovery will depend on your lifestyle and which lip enhancement you undergo. If you are having injections, your recovery can take just a couple days, though the swelling or bruising may last longer. If you are having surgical implants or grafts, your recovery can take up to two weeks after the surgery.