BLOG

Question:

What is V-Y lip augmentation?

Answer:

A V-Y lip augmentation is a surgical technique the increases the amount of lip that will show on an individual. The area of the lip that we find attractive is the red colored lip. As we age, our lips will thin and the amount of red lip that shows, and thus the fullness of the lip diminishes significantly leaving the lip less pleasing esthetically. The V-Y procedure will augment the lip through a specific surgical approach. I have not performed a V-Y lip augmentation in quite some time as the potential complications and irregularities that can result from the procedure simply outweighed the potential benefits of the procedure and given the alternatives to lip augmentation, I am quite pleased with the results that I am able to obtain with the use of dermal fillers to the lips for augmentation.

Posted by Dr. Philip Schoenfeld

No Comments »

Question:
I would like shapelier lips without surgery. Are silicone injections the only option for lip augmentation?

Answer:
In order to get shapelier lips, I would advise against surgery.  In terms of the use of silicone, I do have some colleagues who are using liquid silicone and obtaining decent results with respect to the appearance of the lips.  However, I am not a big fan of silicone injections or the use of any permanent injectable fillers for numerous reasons.  My biggest hesitation is the permanence of the injections and the potential long term issues that can arise from these injectable fillers.  The permanent fillers do not change as our face ages, but, the rest of the face does change.  What may look fantastic when the permanent fillers are intitially injected, has the potential to look fake and distorted in a face that has aged even a few years following the injections.  There are solid soft silicone implants available for lip augmentationthat have shown some promise and they can be removed if necessary or exchanged if the shape is not quite correct.  My first preference for lip augmentation is still dermal fillers.  They are fast, safe, effective, and easily injected in the office.

No Comments »

Question:
I have very wrinkled skin around my lips. I have tried products on the market, like lip balm, to improve this area but nothing seems to work.  What type of procedure would improve my looks?

Answer:
There are several products on the market that claim to plumb your lips with the use of lip balms and moisturizers.  Unfortunately, what you have found out, likely hundreds of dollars into the process, is that these products simply to do not work.  The most effective way to plump up thin lips is with the use of injectable fillers such as Juvederm and Restylane.  These fillers are safe and extremely effective.  I have a great deal of experience in the use of Restylane and Juvederm in lip augmentation and can create a lip appearance that you will be pleased with and comfortable with.

No Comments »

Question:
I am male and have very thin lips. I would like Perlane to fill in the lips somewhat, but definitely not overfill. The pouty look is not what I am after. Is Perlane safer than collagen injections?

Answer:
I love Perlane, but, not in the lips.  Perlane is a fantastic dermal filler however, the particle size is a bit large and may make your lips feel a bit stiff and artificial.  I do use other hyaluronic acids such as, Restylane and Juvederm, and strive for a natural full appearing lip while not over filling the lip.  I no longer use collagen as collagen is an inferior product when compared to hyaluronic acid dermal fillers.

No Comments »

Question:
I developed a granuloma after receiving Restylane to fill in my top lip. I’m looking at a touch-up and am wondering how I can avoid having this happen again.

Answer:
Granuloma formation following Restylane injections to the upper lip is extremely rare.  Granuloma formation is usually the result of chronic inflammation of the upper lip and Restylane is not know to cause chronic inflammation due to its compatibility with your own body.  I suspect that the Restylane that you had injected was either injected too superficially, or that the Restylane was injected directly into a vessel of the upper lip causing an inflammatory process.  Careful injection of Restylane and the use of Hyaluronidase to remove any inadvertently injected Restylane is a good way to avoid any future granuloma formation.  

Posted by Dr. Philip Schoenfeld

No Comments »

Question:

I am a 47 year old woman and I am often mistaken for a man when I am dressed casually. I think one of the problems is my thin lips. I would like to have them made fuller but I am hesitant to use silicone injections. Do you do a lip enlargement surgery? Or would you suggest the silicone?

Answer:

If you are mistaken for a man when you dress casually it may be more than just your thin lips. If you are interested in lip augmentation there are several ways to accomplish this goal. Newer permanent implants have been met with some enthusiasm. A newer product is made of soft silicone and these implants are permanent. I have always felt that permanent implants give somewhat of an unnatural feel to the lips. Liquid silicone injections have been performed by some physicians. I would caution you that the FDA has not approved the use of liquid silicone in the permanent augmentation of the lips and many complications have been reported with the use of liquid silicone for lip augmentation. These complications are difficult to correct because of the permanency of the silicone. I am a huge fan of hyaluronic acid dermal fillers for lip augmentation. Restylane and Juvederm give extremely natural results. The procedure takes about 10 minutes to perform in the office and when done correctly lip augmentation is not terribly uncomfortable and leaves a naturally appearing lip.

Posted by Dr. Philip Schoenfeld

No Comments »

Question:
After lip injections, are there any restrictions on what you can and cannot eat in the days after?

Answer:
Although there are not specific foods that I caution against following lip injections, you will have some swelling of your lips after the injections and will prefer cold items rather than hot items following your lip augmentation for a few days.

Posted by Dr. Philip Schoenfeld

No Comments »

Question:
I would like lip augmentation with an implant. I would expect that my lips would be somewhat swollen after the procedure but are they so swollen that I would not be able to go to work the next day? Is there any chance that the swelling will persist longer than expected?

Answer:
I would not suggest showing up to work following permanent lip augmentation with a lip implant. You will likely have some swelling that will last a few days. You may also have some bruising following the procedure as the lips are extremely vascular. The length of time that the swelling will persist is variable but, I would recommend about 3 days for recovery.

Posted by Dr. Philip Schoenfeld

No Comments »