Are you unhappy with the appearance of your lips? Have you been thinking about lip augmentation? Read on for information about some of your cosmetic lip treatment options.

Which Lip Filler Is Best For Your Lips?

Lip filler is a popular cosmetic procedure, that when done correctly, can be an amazing enhancement. The best lip fillers are made of hyaluronic acid (HA) which is a naturally occurring compound in your body.
The most commonly used HA dermal fillers are Juvéderm^® Ultra XC, Juvéderm^® Volbella^® XC, Restylane^® Kysse, Restylane^® Silk, and Revanesse^® Versa™+. These dermal fillers consist of a flexible think gel that adds volume to the lip. The typical range of fillers used in one session is 0.5-2 cc. The type of filler will be determined at your consultation, as each brand has different consistencies producing various degrees of fullness.

How To Get Natural-Looking Lip Injections

As with any cosmetic injection, it is first important to choose your injector wisely. Dr. Shah has extensive experience with lip filling, and his approach is to enhance your own anatomy rather than trying to create a “celebrity” look. The key is placing the product in the correct planes along the upper and lower lip to create balance, shape ultimately to produce a hydrated or “lush” look. The goals of the lip filler are to define the cupids bow and vermillion border, which basically serves the outer framework of the lip. Then, the dry vermillion is enhanced to add plumpness or volume. In the lower lip, a vertical strut technique is used to help smooth out lines. The goal is NOT to place too much product in the upper lip so that we can avoid the “duck” lip.

Are There Other Lip Augmentation Treatments?

There are several adjunct treatments to help restore and or maintain lip fullness which include HA based lip balm, BOTOX^® Cosmetic to lip muscles, skin care, and in some cases, surgical lip lifts. Dr. Shah is well versed in non-surgical and surgical treatments, and he can guide you on those options. Generally, surgical lip lifts are reserved for patients with significant deflation or heaviness and can be done under local anesthetic, or as part of other procedures such as a facelift.

How To Prepare For Lip Filler?

Most patients will be candidates for lip filler. If you have a history of cold sores, Dr. Shah will prescribe antivirals prior to and after the procedure. Also, it is advisable to take Tylenol^® to help with soreness. Dr. Shah does use a small amount of local anesthetic prior to lip filler treatments which helps ease the discomfort of lip injections. Typically, swelling lasts 48-72 hours, and you can expect results within a week. Patients can use ibuprofen to help reduce swelling. Most fillers last around 9-12 months, and its common to have additional treatments to achieve the desired outcome. Although lip migration or lip distortion is rare, the lip filler can be dissolved if needed.

“Lip Flips” Vs. Lip Fillers: What’s The Difference?

You may have come across the term “lip flips,” which on the surface gives a similar appearance to lip fillers. Usually, a non-surgical lip flip involves injecting a neuromodulator (like BOTOX^® Cosmetic) around the upper lip muscles that will allow the muscle to lift up resulting in a “poutier” appearance. It is often used in combination with an HA lip filler. Lip flips are also a temporary solution for patients with thin lips or a gummy smile. Generally, the lip flip results only last a few months because the neuromodulator wears off faster than dermal fillers. Surgical lip flips are more of a long-term solution for thinned out upper lips.

If you would like to schedule your lip augmentation appointment with Dr. Shah, please contact us online or call 708-424-3999.