Not everyone is born with plump pouts, but lip augmentation procedures are a great way to boost thin lips. Most of these procedures are quick and effective, and patients walk out of the doctor’s office with a pair of lips they’re proud of. These lip enhancement procedures are used to restore fullness to aging lips and add volume to young lips. Even a small change to the lips can make a big difference to facial harmony.
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What Procedures Are Used to Augment Lips?
Lip augmentation is any procedure that adds fullness to the lips. There are several types of augmentation procedures; the most notable are lip fillers and lip implants. Lip fillers are perhaps the most popular enhancement option. Filler options include Restylane, Juvederm, and Volbella; these hyaluronic acid fillers add volume to the face. They are eventually absorbed by the body, which means that they are a temporary solution to thin lips. Most filler-based results last about six months. For people interested in augmenting their lips, however, these fillers allow them to experience fuller lips with minimal downtime. They’re also highly customizable; patients can choose how much larger they want their lips, and what aspects of their lips they want to emphasize.
For permanent results, lip implants are the preferred option. These implants are usually made of silicone, and they last for years. This option is surgical, however, which means it requires more downtime than fillers.
How Is Augmentation Performed?
When patients undergo a lip filler procedure, Dr. Joseph Russell injects hyaluronic acid filler into the lips using a needle. To satisfy the aesthetic goals of the patient, the filler is injected into multiple sites along the top and bottom lips. This procedure usually takes 20 minutes or less.
During a lip implant surgery, the silicone implants are inserted into the lips, and the incisions are closed with sutures. This procedure usually takes one to two hours.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Lip Augmentation?
People who want to enhance the shape or size of their lips are good candidates for lip augmenting procedures. These procedures are often used to restore volume to lips that have become thinner with age or have been thin for someone’s whole life. There are few risks to lip fillers, and people of all ages can use hyaluronic acid fillers with minimal disruption to their daily lives. Lip implant procedures are surgeries, however, which makes them riskier for certain patients.
What Is the Recovery Period Like?
After a lip filler procedure, some patients experience swelling and bruising, with swelling being most common. These symptoms can last for up to a week but can be mitigated with icing immediately after the treatment. Patients usually return to work the same day as the procedure.
Lip implants require a longer recovery period. Patients often experience swelling, soreness, and numbness for a week, and they have trouble eating and drinking for several days following the procedure. Most patients take a week off work to recover from their lip implant procedure.
When Are the Results Visible?
With all types of lip enhancement procedures, the lips look fuller immediately after. Due to the swelling, however, the final results are usually obscured for a week or two. Patients usually start to enjoy their new, plumper lips 1-2 days after the procedure.
What Happens During a Lip Enhancement Consultation?
During a consultation, Dr. Russell will ask what you don’t like about your lips and whether you have specific aesthetic goals. Dr. Russell will also examine the lips and determine the best augmentation method. You may also be asked questions about your medical history to ensure that you are a healthy candidate for your desired procedure.
When undergoing a lip procedure, it’s important to have it performed by a facial plastic surgeon who understands the proportions of the face. Dr. Joseph Russell is highly trained expert in Facial Plastic Surgery, and he’s helped many people in Charleston, SC, achieve fuller, plumper lips. Contact us at (843) 576-3302 soon to schedule an appointment!