Who Can Benefit from Lip Augmentation?

If your lips are too thin to provide the full smile you want to show the world, or if your lips have “deflated” as you’ve gotten older, lip augmentation can help give you the look you want.

Board-certified oculofacial plastic and cosmetic surgeon Dr. Dustin Heringer at Arizona Ocular & Facial Plastic Surgery understands how living with an underwhelming physical trait can put a dent in your self-confidence. That’s why he provides three different types of lip augmentation at the Scottsdale, Arizona, office.

What are my options for lip augmentation?

Anyone whose lips are too thin or lined can benefit from lip augmentation. There are three different procedures:

1. Dermal fillers

Injectable dermal fillers are a conservative, nonsurgical option that may be appropriate if you also have small wrinkles around the mouth or deep nasolabial folds. They’re a temporary solution, which makes them a good choice for people who want to see what fuller lips can look like before committing to a more permanent procedure. You can also get them done quickly, and they’re a relatively inexpensive option.

There are any number of dermal filler brands, and products within those brands, but most are gels made from synthetic hyaluronic acid (HA). HA naturally occurs in your body, giving volume and definition to your tissues. HA fillers have a number of benefits:

• Volume control: the doctor controls how much gel goes where
• Gradual treatment pace: the injections can slowly build up volume until you get the desired result 
• Less bruising and swelling (compared with other types of dermal fillers)
• Longer-lasting results: anywhere from six months to a year
• Adverse reaction unlikely since HA occurs in your body

The most appropriate products for lip augmentation are Juvederm® XC and Restylane®. Dr. Heringer injects the gel into your lips to increase volume and fill in creases, which takes only about 15-30 minutes in-office. There’s no downtime, results are immediate, and you can get a touchup anytime you need one..

2. Lip implants

Lip implants are a type of permanent lip augmentation that uses silicone implants instead of an injectable gel to add volume to the lips.

Good candidates:

• Have relatively symmetrical lips
• Have enough lip tissue to extend over the implant and hide it
• Have a phobia of needles or an aversion to frequent procedures
• Want a permanent lip augmentation option
• Want to save money long-term

If Dr. Heringer determines you’re a good candidate, he performs the implant with IV anesthesia. He makes an incision at both corners of the lips, slides the insert into place, then closes with dissolvable sutures. During the first week, you may experience mild-to-moderate bruising and some swelling. Once that resolves, though, you’ll have full, shapely lips for a long time to come.

3. Fat grafting (autologous lip augmentation)

Fat grafting is a semi-permanent alternative to dermal fillers and implants. Dr. Heringer uses your own fat tissue to plump up your lips, a process called autologous lip augmentation. As with dermal fillers, the doctor performs a fat transfer as an in-office procedure under local anesthesia. And again like fillers, he can control the amount of material he injects, leading to better results.

First, Dr. Heringer uses liposuction to remove fat cells from another area of your body, preferably one you’d like to tone down; common areas include the abdomen, buttocks, and thighs. Next, he refines and isolates the fat cells. Finally, he injects the purified cells into your lips. Because of both extensive experience and an eye for artistry, the results are completely natural-looking.

The entire procedure takes about 60-90 minutes, and you can go home immediately afterward. Fat-enhanced lips may retain their enhanced size and shape for five years or more.

If you’re underwhelmed by the look of your lips, lip augmentation may be just the thing for you. To learn more, and to schedule a consultation with Dr. Heringer, contact Arizona Ocular & Facial Plastic Surgery by calling our Scottsdale office at 480-448-0367, or book online with us today.