Many women dream of having soft, plump lips. For these women, lip enhancement can help. If you’re among them, and you’ve been wondering where to get started on your lip enhancement treatment plan, here are some quick facts to get you on your way. With this knowledge, you can decide if these changes are really right for you.
What Is Lip Enhancement?
The process of lip enhancement or lip augmentation involves the addition of materials, natural or synthetic, to the lips in order to increase the volume and definition. Surgical and nonsurgical methods can be used to create plumper, fuller-looking lips, but the majority of patients opt for some type of nonsurgical treatment. Beyond increasing the prominence and definition of your lips, your lip enhancement procedure might also smooth away fine lines and wrinkles near the mouth.
Why Are Lip Enhancements Performed?
Most lip enhancement patients have similar motivations: to improve the look and feel of their thin lips. However, lip enhancements can also be used to reverse volume loss due to the aging process, change the shape of the lips, correct “frowning” lips, increase moisture to the lips, fill in a thin upper lip, better define the border around the lips, and treat the signs of aging on or around the lips. Achieve the specific results you really want by working with your plastic surgeon.
How Can the Lips Be Enhanced Nonsurgically?
Nonsurgical methods of lip enhancement are the most popular, because of the reduced risks they pose and the short recovery times required. If you are interested in this type of lip enhancement, you’ll have several treatment options to choose from:
- Collagen injections. These soft tissue fillers can add volume to the lips and improve the appearance of nearby fine lines and wrinkles. Many collagen injections are formulated with human-derived dermal collagen for a natural approach. Touch-up treatments may be needed every three to five months to maintain your results.
- Hyaluronic acid injections, such as Restylane and Juvederm. These can also be used to fill and plump the lips in a natural-looking way, using the natural sugar hyaluronic acid that can be metabolized easily by the human body. The duration of your results may vary, but many patients can go six months to a year in between their injections.
- Radiessefillers, comprised of calcium hydro-xylaptite micro spheres in aqueous gel. It can be used to plump many areas of the face, including the lips, and can provide patients with semi-permanent results. Talk to your plastic surgeon about planning future treatments and touch-ups.
The best way to decide which nonsurgical lip enhancement option to choose is to talk with your plastic surgeon about the results you would like to achieve. He can provide you with expert advice on each type of product and what expectations you should have following your procedure.
Can Fat Injections Enhance the Lips?
Fat injections are performed through a minimally invasive surgical procedure. Fat cells are first harvested from one area of the body, usually the thighs, abdomen, or buttocks. These cells are then cleansed and purified before being injected into the treatment area. Fat injections have become a popular option for lip enhancement among patients in recent years, likely because of the many benefits they offer.
Along with very natural looking results, fat injections offer a low-risk procedure, very little recovery time, and long-lasting or permanent results. While the body may absorb some of the fat cells early on, the remaining cells will be integrated into the surrounding tissue for a long-lasting result. Your plastic surgeon will likely overfill your lips to account for these early lost cells.
How Do I Know If Lip Enhancement Is for Me?
Deciding if you’re a good candidate for lip enhancement begins with your own desired results. If you want to reverse the thinning of your lips, combat early aging signs around the mouth, or achieve the full lips you’ve always wanted, it’s time to meet with a plastic surgeon. You should be in good health and have a realistic expectation for your treatment. To maintain your results, you may need to schedule follow-up visits so consider your lifestyle and long-term budget before committing to lip enhancement treatments.
Where Can I Get Lip Enhancement Treatments?
If you need to learn more about lip enhancement, consult with a plastic surgeon about your desired results and how to achieve them. Begin your planning process with the right plastic surgeon for the job. Visit Renu by Dr. Schoenfeldto speak with founder and Medical Director Dr. Philip Schoenfeld, a board certified facial plastic surgeon with experience in anti-aging treatments and other surgical procedures. He takes a keen interest in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery, having practiced in Washington, D.C. since 1994. A proven track record and a personal dedication to excellence and aesthetics have earned him a significant reputation among his peers. He was voted one of America’s Top Doctors in 2013 by Castle Connolly. Contact Renu by Dr. Schoenfeld, located at 5454 Wisconsin Ave., Suite 1625 in Chevy Chase, Maryland, by calling (301) 652-RENU (7368). Book your appointment today to discuss your personal options for surgery and treatment.