Lip Enhancement
Lip enhancement or lip augmentation is a cosmetic procedure which aims to enhance or correct the shape and size of the lips. Generally, people choose to have lip procedures to give more volume and fullness to thin lips or to redefine asymmetrical lips. Most lip augmentation procedures can be divided into two categories: non-surgical and surgical. Non-surgical treatments come in various forms as you will see below. Surgical treatments mainly involve the use of synthetic implants to give the lips a more permanent form.
Non-Surgical Lip Enhancement
There are three popular non-surgical lip enhancement treatments performed by surgeons.
- AlloDerm is a collagen-based material constructed from the tissue on human skin and therefore it is safe to be inserted into the lips without having to worry about infections or other negative side effects. Once inserted, it has the ability to naturally combine with the surrounding tissue. AlloDerm is a relatively old technique to enhance the lips and many surgeons do not prefer to use it as much. AlloDerm is not permanent and the lips will be enhanced for a period of six months to a year following a treatment.
- Fat grafting is a common practice within the world of cosmetic surgery. A small amount of fat is carefully removed with cannulas from another location of the patient’s body such as the hips or thighs. This fat is then cleaned and injected or implanted into the lips. Fat grafting is a viable option for individuals who are very sensitive to any foreign material entering their body. Transferred fat can last a relatively long period, but it will eventually be absorbed by the body.
- Many injectable fillers available in the market today are primarily composed of hyaluronic acid, a sugar-based substance naturally found in skin tissue. These fillers provide more fullness and volume to the lips and are a great alternative for individuals looking to avoid implants. The results last anywhere from four to six months. The procedure is minimally invasive and takes about half an hour to perform.
Surgical Lip Enhancement
The surgical lip enhancement is generally performed under local anesthesia. The surgeon will first make incisions on the lips. Incisions are usually placed in the corners of the mouth where scars will be least visible after the healing process.
After the incisions are made, thin and narrow implants will be inserted into the lips. The surgeon will adjust the size and length of the implants to match your specific needs. Once the implants are in place, the incisions will be secured with sutures. This is an outpatient procedure, which means you can go home after the surgery. Generally, the surgery can take anywhere from one to two hours.
Recovering From Lip Enhancement Surgery
Immediately after the surgery, the lips will be swollen and there will be bruises. Please, follow all directions given to you by your surgeon and take all appropriate medicines that have been prescribed for you. The approximate recovery period lasts about two to three weeks.
Surgeons at New York’s Madison Avenue Plastic Surgery recommend that patients avoid hard, chewy food for the first three to seven days after the surgery. It is better to adjust your diet to soft foods which will not require excessive use of the muscles in the mouth to consume. Strenuous activities like exercising should be stopped for up to a month after the surgery in order to give the lips proper healing time.
Remember, our surgeons are always available to assist you after the surgery in case you feel any unusual pain or bleeding as well as infection in the surgery area.
Book Your Consultation
If your lips appear to be thin or have lost their volume, consider a lip enhancement procedure. Please, feel free to schedule a consultation with Madison Avenue Plastic Surgery’s experienced surgeons to go over your needs and expectations. The surgeons will examine your lips and determine the best approach. You can reach us through our contact page.