LIP AUGMENTATION

WHY LIP AUGMENTATION?

When we communicate, our audience may be watching us and the movement of our mouths. For men and women with unattractive lips and surrounding perioral structures, this may lead to a self-conscious moment. As we age, our lips tend to lose their volume as the skin thins. The subcutaneous fat beneath the skin becomes less and less and with the constant movement of the mouth over the years, the circular muscle that frames the oral cavity produces radial lines that emanate from the lip, much like the spokes on a bicycle wheel. Smoking, sun exposure, genetics and constant movement of the mouth only exacerbate the situation. It’s no wonder that perioral rejuvenation is a large component of creating a more youthful and attractive appearance whether the lips are moving or not.

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HOW IS LIP ENHANCEMENT ACCOMPLISHED?

As mentioned above, part of rejuvenating lips and the surrounding area requires volume replacement. This can be obtained easily with dermal fillers such as Restylane® for the more superficial lines and Radiesse® for the deeper ones. However, some of our patients request a more permanent solution, and in the past, Dr. English offered them autologous fat injections. Even though we are replacing what has been lost over time, the nature of transferred fat is that it tends to atrophy as well. Newer innovations are permanent lip implants that can be placed in as little as 20 minutes in our operating room suite through small incisions placed inside the corners of the mouth. These silicone-grade fusiform-shaped implants are pliable and very natural looking once placed. This type of procedure can improve thin lips but may not address the other features, such as the drool grooves, the nasofacial (marionette) lines and/or the fine lines above and below the lips where lipstick is prone to bleed once applied. Other procedures in addition to volume enhancement by whatever modality may also be required to address your concerns.