Lip Augmentation
Firmer, Fuller Lips
Lip augmentation is a cosmetic procedure used to increase the size of the lips through plastic surgery or injections. The augmentation procedure can be performed on the upper or lower lip, or both at the same time, and may offer temporary or permanent results depending on the type of filler material used. Most patients desiring larger, fuller lips are able to achieve their desired results with just one simple procedure. At The Peer Group, our board certified plastic surgeons have performed lip augmentation procedures for patients from throughout northern New Jersey.
Fuller lips can be achieved through several different cosmetic techniques. The best lip augmentation procedure for you depends on your overall health and desired results, along with several other determining factors. Your plastic surgeon will discuss these factors to help you decide which treatment option is best for you to achieve the full lips you desire.
Lip Augmentation Options
Most lip augmentation options involve an injection of a facial filler to increase the size of the lips, although implants may be used as well. Some of the options commonly used for lip augmentation include:
- Collagen injections
- Patient’s own fat from another area of the body
- Artecoll injections (synthetic material)
- Autologen injections (patient’s own collagen from another area)
- Dermalogen injections (donor material)
- Fascia injections (donor material)
- Hylaform injections (similar to natural hyaluronic acid)
- Restylane injections (similar to natural hyaluronic acid)
Each of these different types of lip augmentation offers patients specific benefits. You can discuss these options further with your plastic surgeon in order to determine which procedure is best for you. Photographs taken before and after plastic surgery can show you the results of these procedures.
Lip Augmentation Procedure
Lip augmentation procedures are performed on an outpatient basis and can usually be done in your plastic surgeon’s office in less than an hour. Anesthesia may or may not be used for this procedure, depending on how the augmentation procedure is performed. Injections of Juvederm or other fillers may only require a topical anesthetic, while implants usually require a local or general anesthesia. Once anesthesia is achieved the filler is injected directly into the lips through a minimally invasive procedure that takes just a few minutes to perform. Proper placement of the injectable filler is important in order to achieve optimal results.
For lip implants, the synthetic implants are inserted into the lips through tiny incisions at the corners of the lips. Once inserted during this aesthetic plastic surgery procedure, your doctor will close the incisions with stitches, and the lip implants will remain in place permanently.
Lip Augmentation Results and Recovery
After a lip augmentation, patients may experience mild discomfort and swelling for a few days, although these side effects usually subside on their own. The lips may appear to be overfilled at first. The exact results of your cosmetic procedure will depend upon the type of augmentation performed and your desired results. Depending on the type of material used, patients may require multiple treatments over time. Many injectable materials, especially natural ones, are not immune to the effects of aging and will gradually deplete. Most patients can return to work and resume other normal activities within one to two days after the lip augmentation procedure, although exercise and other strenuous activities should be avoided for a bit longer. Recovery from fat grafting procedures may take longer.
