Lip enhancement treatment is a popular non-surgical treatment, which involves injecting filler to enhance the shape or the size of the lips.
There are various methods of increasing the size or shape of the lips. Some of the procedures are temporary, such as injecting dermal fillers. Other procedures allow an implant to be put inside the lip and this is longer lasting, and in some cases even permanent.
Lip enhancement is the most common form of treatment to remove lines around the mouth, as well as, create fuller lips for a more sensuous smile. At our clinic we want to give the best natural looking results, using natural and safe fillers.
As the effects of aging take hold, even the lucky few who were born with perfectly beautiful lips, may want to consider enhancing their lips appearance. Over time, the lips volume depletes, leaving a thinner, flatter appearance.
Wrinkles and fine lines compromise their smooth look, and the vermillion borders and Cupid’s bow become less defined. Around the mouth, the area between upper lip and nose can become flattened, and the corners of the mouth may turn downward, creating a tired, aged appearance.
Types of Lip Enhancement
There are different options of Lip Enhancement procedures:
- Injections of natural dermal fillers such as Restylane, Perlane,Teoysol, Crisytal and Juvéderm
- Fat Injection
- Surgical insertion of implant (Alloderm, Permalip)
- Surgical advancement of own tissue
It would be best to use temporary products for lip enhancement for the very first time. This will able the patient to get an initial impression of what lip augmentation entails. Patients can be reassured that the lips will return to their previous state in the event that they do not like them.
The main ingredient of the injections used is a hyaluronic acid. It is the simplest and most commonly performed (Restylane Lipp, Perlane, Hydrafill) however, they are usually temporary in nature. There are some variations between them in terms of longevity, as well as, the likelihood of allergies.
Natural Lip Enhancement
We use all types of natural dermal fillers such as dermal fillers, Perlane, Teoysol, Crisytal and Juvèderm to fill out the lines around the mouth and produce a fuller lip. The results last between six to nine months. The product will dissolve away naturally afterwards, leaving the lips the same as they were prior to the treatment.
The advantages with using these substances are that they last much longer and are excellent in defining the lip edges, thus, giving an enhanced appearance.
There are many different options available and different methods create slightly different effects and have differing benefits. During the consultation our surgeon will discuss fully the various methods available, and the advantages and disadvantages of each, in order to achieve the desired results.
Who is suitable for Lip Enhancement?
Before Lip Enhancement takes place, the lips must be examined and evaluated in relation to the rest of the patient’s face. After the consultation and discussion, a treatment option will be given, based on the goals and concerns, as well as, the anatomy and lifestyle.
Patients will also be asked about his/her medical history, drug allergies, and check for conditions that could cause problems, such as, active or dormant skin infections (i.e. herpes simplex) or non-healed sores from injuries. Lip injections are generally off limits for patients who suffer from autoimmune diseases and those who are allergic to local anesthetic. Lip injections are contraindicated for pregnant and breast feeding women.
Restylane is one of the most tried and tested dermal fillers available today. It is the benchmark for clinical excellence in its field. Its safety and efficacy are clinically proven and supported by robust clinical data, spanning over thirteen years. Research and development is continuous. Restylane Lipp is a product which can be trusted because there are no animal ingredients used.
Restylane can instantly soften aging lines and improve the look of the cheeks and lips in a natural looking way. Restylane restores volume, improves skin elasticity, and smooths niggling lines and imperfections.
With Restylane Lip patients will have larger, fuller and sexier looking lips and they will get instant and long lasting results, from nine to eighteen months, however the product is biodradable, so it is not permanent.The treatment is also very quick, only taking around twenty to thirty minutes.
If patients have recently had laser treatment or chemical peel treatments on the face, it is recommended that they should wait until the area is totally healed and the skin is back to its normal condition before having a Lip Enhancement procedure. This usually takes four to six weeks.
Lip Enhancement Procedure
Pre TreatmentÂ
- Pregnancy and breast feeding are contra-indications to treatment
- Alcohol intake should be reduced at least twenty four hours before treatment
- Medication, such as, aspirin may cause bruising, as will high doses of vitamin E
- Treatment cannot be performed until ceasing Accutane medication for six months
- Sun beds, waxing, electrolysis and laser should be avoided at least forty eight hours before treatment
- Pain sensitivity may be heightened at certain times (pre-menstrual or following excessive alcohol intake)
- Bruising may be reduced by taking Arnica tablets two days before treatment
- Risk of cold sores may be reduced by the use of Zovirax tablets
Some people may experience mild discomfort during a Lip Enhancement procedure. A dental bloc is often used, also some patients can manage with only a local anesthetic cream to numb the lips.
Hyaluronic acid  is biodegradable and is non-permanent. The manufacturing process of hyaluronic acid is similar to the production of insulin or antibiotics. When combined with the body’s own hyaluronic acid, it creates volume for the treatment of lips, as well as, other lines or wrinkles. It basically acts by restoring the skin’s volume, creating softness and revitalizing appearance. It contains no animal ingredients and therefore no skin test is needed.
Post treatment:
- Immediately after the treatment there may be slight redness, swelling, tenderness and an itching sensation in the treated area. This is a normal result of the injection. If the inconvenience continues or if other reactions occur, please contact your physician.
- The initial swelling after treatment may last longer. Some patients experience swelling for about a week. This means that the result directly after the treatment should not be seen as the final result.
- Avoid touching the treated area 6 hours after the treatment. After that the area can be gently washed with soap and water and light make-up can be applied.
- Until the initial swelling and redness have resolved, do not expose the treated area to intense heat (e.g. solarium and sunbathing) or extreme cold.
- If you have previously suffered from facial cold sores, there is a risk that the needle punctures could contribute to another eruption of cold sores.
- If you are using aspirin or any similar medication, be aware that these may increase the bruising and bleeding at the injection site.
- Dermal fillers contain the body’s own natural material, hyaluronic acid
Before and After photo gallery
Lip Enhancement Results
Lip enhancement treatment adds volume to both the upper and the lower lips. The procedure also sculpts the lips, making the Cupid’s bow more pronounced.
This non-surgical treatment helps reduce the signs of aging by enhancing the texture and smoothness of the lips and by filling the lines and wrinkles caused by smoking. Patients can expect to walk away with a fresh, natural look.
One of the great advantages of a Lip Enhancement procedure is that the effects are long lasting but not permanent. Longevity varies from individual to individual. Â follow-up treatment is normally needed in about six months after treatments. Duration depends on many factors, such as, skin type, lifestyle, age, the degree of perfection wanted by the patient and the injection technique of the Cosmetic Doctor.
Patients can expect slight redness, swelling, pain, tenderness, itching and/or bruising following a Lip Enhancement procedure.
This is the same as they might expect with any type of injection, however, the discomfort is temporary and generally disappears after one to two days. With Lip Enhancement, it is wise to choose the treatment time with care, since the lips may become swollen and appear slightly uneven for two to four days. Patients can apply light makeup over any treated area to disguise any bruising.
Possible Side Effects
The main substance in dermal fillers (Perlane, Teoysol, Crisytal and Juvèderm) is hyaluronic acid, which is naturally found in the skin, tendons and muscles of mammals. Doctors also use dermal fillers to improve the nasolabial folds these are creases of skin, which run from the corners of the nose to the corners of the mouth.
Like any other cosmetic medical procedure, there are possible risks and side effects, however, Dr Ayham Al-Ayoubi explains that it is his duty to minimize those possible risks and complications but he can not eliminate them.
The swelling and possibly bruising on or around the lips are considered to be the most common side effect of the treatment, although they will ease after three to four days.
Some reactions include, redness, swelling, pain, itching, bruising or tenderness could developed at the injection site. Inflammatory reactions may last for up to two weeks in rare cases. Scarring is extremely rare.
More than ten million Lip Enhancements have been carried out since the launch of Restylane in 1996 and during this time Restylane has shown to have an excellent safety track record. Nonetheless, some common injection-related reactions might occur after a Lip Enhancement injection; they typically resolve spontaneously within one or two days after injection.
Fat Transfer For Lip Enhancement
The fat is usually harvested from somewhere on the body, usually the hip or abdomen, by micro liposuction using a syringe. First the area that the fat will be taken from (donor area) is anesthetized and then, using a specialized instrument called cannulae, fat is gently hand suction out, then washed and filtered.
The small amount of fat extracted does not noticeably change the donor area. The filtered fat is then injected under the skin of i.e. the lips during a Lip Enhancement procedure, to build up a fuller lip area. Since one’s own fat is used, there is no risk of an allergic reaction to the fat. After the injection there is some temporary swelling, soreness, and bruising. Patients can usually resume normal activity the day of their facial surgery, although strenuous activity should be delayed for a week.
Lip Enhancement FAQS
The answers to some of the most common questions patients may have about lip enhancement treatment.
It’s common for patients to have questions about the aesthetic treatments and at the London Medical and Aesthetic Clinic, it is essential for us that all our patients should feel confident, knowledgeable and comfortable at every stage of their journey of their treatments at our clinic.
Here are a few of the most common questions that we find our patients frequently asked:
Hyaluronidase injected into cyst on lip and blew up like a balloon – what should I do next?
It is not unusual to have severe swelling after injecting Hyaluronidase into an old cyst, which has developed after lip treatment using HA, especially if the treatment took place a few years ago. The best option is to have surgical treatment under local anesthesia. After which the patient could consider having HA lip treatment by an experienced facial plastic surgeon.