How to Get Fuller Lips
Many women want fuller and sexier lips, but aren’t sure where to start. Like many treatments in the field of cosmetic surgery, lip fillers and lip augmentation seem a bit complicated. And the answer is, it can be. There are so many options available now, and many factors to consider when deciding which is the best one for you.
When you decide to go with fillers, you should know what you are getting into before you begin. The most popular option is a hyaluronic acid filler, such as Juvederm and Restylane. Hyaluronic acids are naturally occurring compounds, and the risk of allergic reaction is extremely low. Furthermore, these products are non-permanent.
While some may want a permanent result, most experts believe a non-permanent filler is safer. You can expect a great result, but if for some unusual reason you get a bad result, it’s good to know the results are not permanent, and can even be dissolved so you don’t have to wait the six months or so before the filler goes away.
These fillers typically last six to eight months, but some patients may find it last shorter. The duration of filler will vary from patient to patient. When your lips start to look thinner than you want, then it’s time to consider another visit to your surgeon.
Another option is fat injection, which is a long lasting and a semi-permanent filler from injected fat obtained from different areas of the patient’s body. Although fat is conceptually permanent, in reality only some of the fat is viable and will probably survive; most of the fat is nonviable so it is often reabsorbed with time.
Other less common fillers you may find advertised include Radiesse, Artefill, Sculptra, and silicone. Personally, I don’t recommend any of these because they are either very unforgiving or permanent. Radiesse is a calcium hydroxyapatite product that lasts longer than a hyaluronic acid, but once it’s deposited, you can’t remove.
Sculptra is injectable poly-L-lactic acid, the main material used in dissolvable sutures. Some doctors like this, but this product requires extra time and effort to activate and require multiple treatments spaced several weeks apart to achieve results. Artefill and silicone are permanent products. Artefill is a gel composed of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), which are 30 to 42 micron microspheres.
There are not many surgeons who will inject these products. I know only a handful of surgeons who inject silicone but they are world experts. Unless you find one, I highly caution you not to try these permanent fillers.
What is the process for injecting fillers? Although there are many options for fillers, the process for injecting them is pretty similar across the board. The lips are very sensitive, and I make sure the lips are numb before any treatment. Some doctors use a numbing cream only. In addition to a cream, I also inject a numbing shot to the nerves that innervate the lips.
In addition, most fillers also have lidocaine mixed into them already. These steps result in an injection that is very comfortable for the patient. After the lips are numb, the filler is injected. There are many different areas on the lip to inject—the white roll, the vermillion border, and mucosa. It all depends on what you are trying to augment and the effect you’re trying to achieve. The side effects are typically minimal. Occasionally patients notice swelling for a day or two, bruising which is usually minimal, or unevenness. Any touch ups are best done one week after the treatment.
I highly recommend you give yourself the option to change your mind. The best choice for your best friend may not be the best choice for you. When you hear of a particular product or procedure, you should remember that they are not a one-size-fits-all option. Talk to your doctor and take time to consider your decision.
For more information about lip implants or lip injections in San Antonio, please visit our interactive website at www.dryuplasticsurgery.com. Dr. Kenneth Yu Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery is a qualified team of experts serving the San Antonio, Texas area. To schedule a consultation with the best lip injection cosmetic surgeon, please contact our Concierge Patient Coordinator at (210) 876-6868 or info@dryuplasticsurgery.com.
