Naples Plastic Surgeons Discuss What You Need to Know About Lip Enhancement

What do Angelina Jolie, Kiera Knightly, Bella Thorne, and Megan Fox have in common?

You’re certainly not wrong if you answered incredible beauty or their status as celebrities. However, the answer we were seeking is that all four are known for enhancing their distinctive facial beauty with lip augmentation. And if you’ve ever thought about beautifying your lips, the cosmetic surgeons at southwest Florida’s Naples Plastic Surgery offer several different lip enhancement options, from lip augmentation surgical techniques to injectable fillers. Read on to learn what you need to know about lip enhancement.

Lip Enhancement Doesn’t Have to Involve Surgery

While some patients appreciate the permanence of surgical augmentation, lip enhancement with dermal fillers has emerged in recent years as among the most popular non-invasive cosmetic procedure. With immediate results and limited downtime, millions of patients opt for dermal filler enhancement every year. The fillers add volume to thin lips and help smooth out the visible signs of aging.

The dermal filler procedure can be performed within 10 to 15 minutes and consists of applying a numbing agent into the targeted areas, followed by injections of the filler where needed to add volume and/or smooth lines.

Lip Enhancements Performed with Many Different Injectables

Naples Plastic Surgery offers Juvéderm® and Restylane® as their primary lip-enhancing injectable fillers. These dermal fillers are primarily formulated with hyaluronic acid, a naturally occurring compound within the body that helps stimulate hydration, which further enhances the fillers’ volume and smoothing results.

The formulations of these fillers vary in consistency, so patients typically need to be assessed to determine which one will provide the distinct lip enhancements they seek, whether plumping, smoothing, or both. While many of the fillers in the Juvéderm® and Restylane lines can be used to add volume to lips, there are some specifically designed for use in the lips. Juvéderm Volbella® XC and Restylane Kysse are specifically designed to add subtle volume to the lips, while smoothing the appearance of vertical lip lines.

Injectable Lip Enhancements Deliver Fast Results

Most patients who undergo lip enhancement with Juvéderm® or Restylane® notice results immediately, though the full effect of the injections may not materialize for up to 10 days. During this time, the initial results are enhanced as the hyaluronic acid stimulates hydration that draws in water. Results in some patients may be obscured for the first couple of days due to minor swelling or irritation at the injection sites, but this will subside within a few days.

Dermal Filler Results Are Not Permanent

The one drawback to dermal fillers is that the volume-boosting and lip-line-subduing effects typically only last nine to twelve months and must be refreshed to maintain results. Our bodies naturally break down the hyaluronic acid over time, and the duration of effects varies depending on the type of filler used, injection locations, and each individual’s metabolism.

Surgical Lip Enhancement Options

Surgical lip augmentation options provide patients with permanent enhancements, including increased fullness, reshaping, and smoothing. While not as invasive as many cosmetic surgeries, these procedures typically cause light bruising or swelling and may require some downtime. Naples Plastic Surgery offers the following surgical lip augmentation options:

• Fat Transfer—extraction of fat from elsewhere in the body, which is then injected into the lips to achieve the desired fullness.
• Dermal Graft—a surgically implanted dermal fat graft under the lip lining to add volume and plumpness.
• Implants (synthetic or natural)—inserted through incisions in the lips where needed for plumping and firming.
• Lip Lift—used to increase the lift on the upper lip by shortening the skin area between the lips and nose.

Learn More About Lip Enhancement with Naples Plastic Surgery

To learn more about lip enhancement options at Naples Plastic Surgery, Dr. Paul Gardner, Dr. Leo Baccaro, Dr. Mark Walsh, or Dr. Andrew Bonett would gladly consult with you in their Naples, Florida-area office. To schedule your consultation, contact Naples Plastic Surgery today at 239.566.2611.