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lip augmentation

Lip augmentation is a procedure that has become even more popular over the last several years since options with regard to technique and filler product has expanded. This procedure is effective in the enhancement of the size of the lips of patients who desire fuller, more voluptuous lips. It is usually necessary to treat the upper and lower lip, but this depends on each particular patient. The length of effective time of treatment varies with each filler product.

The three primary options offered today include Collagen, Restylane or Fat Injections. Each filler is effective, but they do differ somewhat.

Collagen

Collagen is a filler material used to either camouflage lines or wrinkles in the face or enhance the size of structures like the lips. Collagen is now extracted from human protein, and skin tests are no longer needed. Collagen is mixed with a local anesthetic, and while it initially stings upon injection, the area is numbed immediately by the local anesthesia. It is an excellent material for enhancing the size of the lips, and enjoys the longest track record. It has been used safely for many years for the enhancement of the lips, as well as camouflaging fine lines of the face. The material is eventually absorbed by the body, depending upon the amount of material injected and the absorption rate of each patient. On average, however, the material lasts approximately two to four months. The procedure takes only minutes to perform in the office and the patient may return to work or normal activities immediately thereafter. The satisfaction level is quite high for this minor procedure, the only downside is that collagen injections must be repeated every two to four months.

Restylane

Restylane is a cosmetic dermal filler made of nonanimal based hyaluronic acid. This is a natural substance that already exists in the human body and is used to provide volume and fullness to the skin. Restylane is a crystal clear gel and is biodegradable and fully biocompatible with human hyaluronic acid. Restylane has been used by plastic surgeons and dermatologists since 1996 worldwide. It is fully biocompatible and allergy testing is not required. Restylane delivers longer lasting results than collagen and generally lasts four to six months in the lips. According to the manufacturer, Restylane's stabilization technology helps maintain a cosmetic effect until the injected material is nearly gone. A few precautions should be taken before Restylane treatment. Avoid using aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications, St. John's Wort, or high doses of vitamin E supplements prior to treatment, because these may increase bruising or bleeding at the injection site. Also, if you have previously suffered from facial cold sores, discuss this with your physician. Restylane is injected directly into the skin in tiny amounts by an ultrafine needle, resulting in minimal discomfort. The procedure is simple and convenient and results are practically instantaneous. Some patients may experience discomfort around the injection site. To optimize your comfort during the short procedure, your physician may anesthetize the treatment area. After your treatment, you might have some redness or swelling. This will normally last less than seven days. Sunbathing and cold outdoor activities should be avoided until any redness or swelling subsides. You should not be treated with Restylane if you are pregnant, breast-feeding, or under 18 years old.

Fat injections

The practice of harvesting fat from one part of the body and using it in other parts of the same person has been performed by plastic surgeons for decades. Over the past 10 years this procedure has been refined, and is used effectively to fill the lines and wrinkles of the face and augment the lips. This procedure involves the harvest of fat from one region of the body utilizing a form of liposuction, washing the fatty product, and then injecting it into the face or lips. This procedure is more involved than augmenting the lips with Collagen or Restylane, but carries the advantage of injecting the patient's own biologic material into the body. Rejection is not an issue. This procedure must be done in a sterile environment, but can be performed under local anesthesia with or without mild sedation. The patient must avoid using aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications, St. John's Wort, or high doses of vitamin E supplements prior to treatment, to decrease bruising and bleeding. Clinical trials have shown that at least 20% to 30% of the injected fat remains permanently. To maintain extremely full lips however, two to three procedures over time may be necessary. After this procedure the patient will experience soreness at the site of harvest, but this is easily controlled with anti-inflammatories or mild pain medications. The region that is augmented, especially the lips, must be slightly overcorrected to obtain optimal results, and this overcorrection and swelling usually subsides within one to two weeks. Intense physical activity should be avoided for two to four days after the procedure. Fat injections offer a more permanent, natural option for lip augmentation, but the recovery is slightly longer than Collagen or Restylane.

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