Fuller lips are highly desirable. But as you age, your lips can become thin and develop lines. If you want your lips to look smooth and naturally voluptuous, lip enhancement may be an option for you.
Lip enhancement treatments range from temporary, non-surgical fillers to semi-permanent surgical lip implants.
At Cascade Facial Surgery, the majority of our lip enhancements are done through dermal filler injections, though fat grafting may be recommended in certain situations. We do not presently do lip implant enhancements but implants are discussed as part of all treatment options to consider.
Are you interested in enhancing the appearance of your lips? Here, Mt. Vernon facial plastic surgeon Dr. Jonathan Grant, M.D., F.A.C.S., of Cascade Facial Surgery & Aesthetics walks you through your options.
Dermal Lip Fillers
Dermal lip fillers are a non-surgical way to enhance your lips’ appearance by injecting volume-restoring products into your lips.
The products used are hyaluronic acid fillers, such as Restylane® Silk or Juvéderm® Ultra XC. Results typically last 6-12 months.
When dermal fillers are injected into the lips, results can include the following:
- Increased lip volume
- Enhanced lip shape
- Smoother vertical lip lines
A lip filler treatment takes 15-30 minutes and requires little downtime. Side effects may include temporary bruising, redness or swelling.
Fat Transfer
During a fat transfer procedure, a small amount of fat is removed from the patient’s body (we remove it from the belly through a small incision at the belly button) and strategically injected into the lips.
The fat removal process typically involves liposuction and is performed as an outpatient procedure.
Depending on the extent of the liposuction, fat transfers usually require more downtime than fillers (several days). But the results can last for years, and no incisions need to be made on the lips.
Lip Implants
Lip implants are placed through lip augmentation surgery, which yields semi-permanent results.
The implants are typically made from soft silicone rubber and can come in a variety of sizes to suit patients’ diverse preferences.
Lip implant surgery can be performed under local anesthesia or with light sedation. During the procedure, tiny incisions are made in the corners of the patient’s mouth, through which the implants are inserted.
The procedure takes 30 minutes to complete and leaves virtually no trace of scars. It usually requires a few days of healing time.
Lip implant results can be long-lasting, or the patient can remove or exchange the implants later on if they so choose.
Request an Appointment
To learn more about your lip enhancement options, call or email to request an appointment with Cascade Facial Surgery & Aesthetics today.
