I would like to have lip augmentation using injectable fillers.

Question:
I would like to have lip augmentation using injectable fillers. Is this procedure painful? How long does the procedure last?

Answer:
I perform a great deal of lip augmentation with the use of dermal fillers. The lips are extremely sensitive so I spend a lot of time with the patient to make the procedure as comfortable as possible. The use of topical numbing agents is somewhat helpful, but, not helpful enough. I have used regional blocks of local anesthesia to thoroughly numb the area prior to injection, and my patients have been very pleased with the procedure and the elative comfort. More recently, I have been adding lidocaine (an injectable numbing agent) directly to the dermal filler and using ice to slightly numb the lips prior to the first injection. The lidocaine added to the filler has been well received by my patients and has made the procedure quite comfortable. The lips are extremely mobile and the injectable fillers will only last about six months after placement. Longer lasting fillers are not safe in the lips as they can easily cause lumps and are not very natural feeling. The same holds true for implants placed in the lip for augmentation. Newer implants are being designed that do hold some promise in that they are both permanent and natural feeling, but, the jury is still out on these.

Posted by Dr. Philip Schoenfeld