Types of lip augmentation
The different types of lip augmentation are:
Derma lip fillers
- Lip enhancement with dermal fillers is the most common procedure. Hyaluronic acid fillers contain hyaluronic acid, a naturally occurring substance in the body, which is the most preferred derma filler. These fillers can add volume to the lips while improving their shape and structure.
- Hyaluronic acid-based fillers are safe and can effectively increase the size of the lips. However, mild swelling, bruising, and redness in the treatment area may occur for a few hours or a few days after treatment.
Fat transfer
- Lip injections with fat transfer can improve the lips’ size,give fullness, texture, and symmetry. Surgeons begin fat transfer procedures by removing fat cells from patients’ buttocks, abdomen, or thighs (which are all rich in body fat). After that, the fat is processed and injected into the lip area. Doctors typically inject 2cc to 10cc of fat into patients’ lips and smile lines, your surgeon will determine the volume and areas to be injected.
- Fat transfer injection recovery is much slower and can take weeks. Expect swelling, bruising, stiffness,chapped lips, and an overdone appearance at first. Finally, fat injections will improve the appearance of your lips by adding structure and fullness. Lip fat injections produce long lasting results than dermal fillers.
Lip implant
- An alternative to temporary lip fillers is to use lip implants, which is a more permanent option.
- During the consultation, your doctor will determine the appropriate size of the lip implant. The implant insertion is done in the hospital.
- First, the skin around the surgical site is sterilized and anesthesia is given so that the area is numbed . An incision is made in each corner of the mouth after the lips have been numbed.
- A curved alligator clamp is used to make a tunnel in the lip. The lip tunnel carefully follows the shape of the lip. The curved alligator clamp opens once it reaches the end of the tunnel.
- The implant is picked up and dragged into the lip tunnel. The implant is placed beneath the lip fat and just above the lip muscles. The incisions are closed with absorbable sutures once the implants are in place.
Lip lift
- If the distance between your nose and upper lip is long it is than desirable to opt for lift surgery. To get the upper lip fullness, an incision can be made right under the nose so as to shorten the skin and then the lip is pulled upward. The incisions allow for extra skin to be removed. Sutures are normally used when conducting a surgical lip lift. The sutures can be removed after 5 days or per the surgeon's directions.
Procedure
Before the Procedure
Your preparation for lip enhancement will depend on the type of procedure you and your plastic surgeon decide on. Your surgeon will provide thorough preoperative instructions and plans to take a detailed medical history and perform a physical examination to determine your fitness for surgery. Individuals with cold sores, specific diseases such as diabetes or lupus, or those with a blood clotting problem should avoid lip augmentation.
In advance of your procedure, your surgeon will ask you to:
- Stop smoking before surgery to promote better healing.
- Stop taking aspirin, certain anti-inflammatory drugs, and some herbal medications, as they may cause excessive bleeding.
Lip enhancement is usually an outpatient procedure. If you have a surgical procedure, arrange for someone to drive you home after surgery.
During the Procedure
Nonsurgical lip augmentation
- You may have your nonsurgical lip enhancement (injections with fillers, permanent makeup) at an aesthetic plastic surgeon’s office with little to no downtime and minimal preparation.
- In most cases, the procedure should take less than an hour.
- The surgeon or specialist may apply numbing cream and inject your lips with the agreed-upon style of filler to add volume.
- Your surgeon will give you instructions to follow once you leave the office.
Surgical lip augmentation
- You may have lip enhancement surgery in the hospital.
- Lip enhancement procedures typically take 30 min to 2hrs for completion of the procedure.
- The surgeon will administer intravenous medications for your comfort during the procedure.
- Surgeons commonly use general anesthesia for lip enhancement procedures. However, they may recommend local anesthesia or intravenous sedation in some instances.
- Various monitors will be used during the procedure to check your heart, pulse, blood pressure, and the amount of oxygen in your blood.
- Your plastic surgeon will follow the planned procedure discussed with you before surgery.
- If you are having fat transfer surgery, the surgeon will perform liposuction to remove viable fat to be injected into your lips.
- After surgery, you may have stitches.
After the Procedure
- You will be shifted to the recovery area for further monitoring.
- You may be allowed to go home on the day of surgery after a short observation period.
- Cold compress or ice applied to the lips can help reduce swelling and discomfort. It is usually advised to do this in short intervals for the first 24 to 48 hours after the procedure.
- To prevent infection, it's essential to avoid touching or pressing the treated area with your fingers or any other objects, as it may introduce bacteria. This includes avoiding applying makeup or lip products immediately after the procedure.
- Depending on the procedure, your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic ointment or a specialized lip balm to aid in healing and prevent infection.
- Refrain from engaging in strenuous physical activities or exercises that may cause excessive sweating or strain on the lips for a few days following the procedure.
- Prop your head up with pillows while sleeping to minimize swelling.
- Hot and spicy foods may cause discomfort and irritation to the treated lips. It's advisable to stick to soft, cool, and bland foods for a few days after the procedure.
- Protect your lips from direct sunlight by wearing a broad-spectrum lip balm with SPF. Sun exposure can cause pigmentation changes and affect the healing process.
Benefits
Some of the benefits of lip augmentation are:
- Improve the shape of your lips.
- Plumps thin lips to create a fuller look.
- Increase the size of your lips to be more proportionate with your face.
- Give your lips a more youthful look.
- Enhance your smile.
- Improve your self-image and self-confidence.
Risks
Following are the rare risks that may arise out of lip augmentation procedures:
- Severe and prolonged swelling or bruising lasting one week to 10 days.
- Allergic reaction causing redness, swelling, or itching around the lips.
- Lip asymmetry.
- Lumps and irregularities in the lips.
- Infection.
- Development of hematoma or seroma.
- Ulceration, scarring, or stiffening of the lip.
Care at Medicover
At Medicover Hospitals, we have the most eminent team of plastic surgeons working together to provide excellent care to our patients. We provide different types of cosmetic treatments using the most advanced technologies and world-class infrastructure bringing the best results for our patients. Our plastic surgeons have performed many lip augmentation procedures with successful outcomes after setting realistic goals. We discuss the whole treatment pathway and expected outcomes with our patients and keep them informed at every stage of their treatment.
