Lip Augmentation

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Disclaimer: This page if for general information only and does not replace a medical consultation.

Why have a lip augmentation?

The lips play an important role in a youthful appearance. Full, firm lips are also considered more attractive.
But during the aging process the lips slowly loose their fullness and become less firm. Wrinkles also appear around the edges of the lips, and may give a prematurely aged look. Many women want this improved upon.

How are the lips augmented?

Several methods have been documented, but the most commonly used and seemingly safest option is hyaloronic acid based fillers injected into the lips. Hyaloronic acid is a natural occurring substance in the human body, but these have been modified to last longer than the natural version. These fillers are not permanent though, and the effects fade after 6 to 9 months.

The procedure is done as an outpatient / office based procedure and take approximately 20 to 30 minutes. The surgeon may use topical cream anaesthesia, do a local block with an injection, or use the fillers with local anaesthetic mixed in.

What to expect after the procedure.

Some swelling is common for the first few days. Sometime a bit of bruising also appears. The fillers draw water to themselves for the first few days, so the final effect will only be visible after a week or two.

Complications

The injections can also be painful, and some manufacturers now include local anaesthetic mixed in with the filler to help make them more comfortable to inject. Swelling may appear for the first few days. Bruising may take a bit longer to disappear, but will fade over time and is usually easy to conceal with make-up.

Hardening and lumpiness of the lips are the most feared complications, which is why only non-permanent fillers are recommended by most. The non-permanent fillers cause a minimal response from the body and hence the risk of hardening is very low. Also, as the filler fades over time, the problem should improve.

Note that some practitioners believe the fillers from different manufacturers are not necessarily compatible with each other, despite having similar ingredients. So be sure to make a note of the type of filler you were injected with and when, and always tell the practitioner of previous injections.