Lip Enhancement in Los Angeles: The lips are one of the prominent facial features with full lips not only being desirable, but also rejuvenating. As we age, lips tend to lose their plumpness and volume, and will also start to develop winkling. Fortunately, natural lip enhancements are available to restore the lips to a younger state without looking unnatural.
While lip enhancement is one of the most popular procedures for facial plastic surgery, it is also one of the most controversial. Many have seen the unsightly results following “over-injection.” Lip enhancement, when performed carefully, give off a very natural result. It is vital to maintain facial proportions and individualize a plan for each patient.
How to Enhance Lips
Lip enhancement is achieved with fillers like Juvederm that is a synthetic hyaluronic acid. It is an excellent option for creating full, natural looking lips as it augments tissue by holding large amounts of water. This results in supple lips because of the hydration taking place. Injecting dermal fillers is the most common method for lip enhancement. Injections work extremely well for most patients with minimal risks and minimal downtime associated with the procedure. Lips usually are swollen for three days with any bruising taking no more than one week to resolve.
Injections are performed in the office. Because the injections can be uncomfortable, numbing creams and local anesthesias are commonly used and make the procedure relatively painless. The procedure usually takes about fifteen minutes.
Lip enhancement can be recommended to patients of all ages, but is known to have particularly special implications for older patients. This is because, as the body ages, lips tend to lose fat and thin out, causing patients to look and feel older or less attractive. There are a variety of lip injection options available which Dr. U has particular experience in performing. After a consultation, Dr. U will design a course of action that is best suited for your needs and goals so that your lips look as plump as ever without looking overdone.
Natural Looking Lip Enhancement
While shaping lips, definition must be considered. For inexperienced doctors who enhance lips, they often create a look that is rounded and bulky in appearance. This traditionally results from injections along where the lips segue to regular skin. Shape, volume and definition require major consideration in regards to lip appearance. There are different injection areas for volume and shape which are vitally important for giving upper lips a natural appearance. The upper lip varies across the lower edge (should look similar to this ^^). If doctors don’t pay close attention to shaping, it can look incredibly fake.
The lower lip is typically uniform with a subtle increase near the center. To maintain balance, lower lip volume should lightly outweigh upper lip. Strategies would do well to avoid making the lip too puffy from the side and add height from the front.
Best Fillers for Lips
The best fillers for lips tend to be hyaluronic acid (HA) based. HA occurs naturally in the body and creates the inner layer of lips along with collagen. Hyaluronic acid retains water which contributes to the fullness and hydration of the lips. When injected, HA helps the lips to hold more water and creates extra volume. HA fillers surpass collagen fillers as the best technique because collagen gets reabsorbed in the body much quicker than HA fillers.
Hyaluronic acid fillers used for lip augmentation include:
- Juvederm (also known as Juvederm Ultra): It is a smooth consistency gel that lasts much longer once injected. It is used to fill deep wrinkles on the face.
- Restylane: Restylane is a clear gel that is used for moderate to severe wrinkles and works by absorbing into the skin and retaining water for a fuller, more hydrated look.
- Belotero: Belotero is a lighter filler as it is thinner in consistency. It also has a more seamless distribution between treated and untreated areas.
Lip Fillers Before and After
Other Lip Enhancement Options
There are other options for enhance your lips. One of the better known is lip implants. Implants involve surgically inserting something akin to breast implants inside the lips. This option is relatively inexpensive (in regards with other facial surgeries) but, it is permanent and can not be changed once implemented. There is also a slight increase in the risk for allergic reactions. Other options include at home lip enhancing treatments (using DIY natural ingredients), lip plumping tools you can buy (generally using suction), and cosmetic lip products (usually in the form of plumping lip gloss).
The efficacy of these products is debatable and they should not be entirely trusted. Dermal lip fillers like the ones listed above, are more effective for the following reasons:
Noticeable Results: Dermal fillers work immediately after the injection and you WILL see results. With other treatment options such as home remedies or cosmetic lip products there is no guarantee they will work.
Done by a professional: When getting a lip filler done by Dr. Umar, you are working with a board certified professional who knows how to create the desired shape and outcome, rather than trying to accomplish this on your own.
Relatively Cheap:Dermal Fillers last significantly longer than home remedies and store bought tools, so you can actually save money in the long run rather than repurchasing items repeatedly.
Results Aren’t Permanent: Although fillers can last up to a year, the results are temporary. So if you aren’t satisfied, eventually your original appearance will be restored.
Lip Enhancement Services
If you are interested in lip enhancement treatment services, sign up for a free consultation at Dr. U Skin Clinic. You will be able to have your questions answered and learn which cosmetic procedure would be best for achieving your goals. You may fill out our consultation form at the top of the page. To get started, fill out our consultation form or call us at 1800-499-DRUCLINIC (3782) to schedule an appointment.
Lip Enhancement Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Who is a good lip enhancement candidate?
Anyone can be a good lip enhancement candidate. Patients with lines around the mouth or a poorly defined lip may benefit from improved lip definition. Other patients may want increased volume along the red lip.
How long do lip fillers last?
Lip enhancement results vary between patients. On average, results tend to last anywhere from six and twelve months.
What is the recovery after lip enhancement?
In order to minimize swelling, patients should avoid exercise for twenty-four hours after the procedure. Otherwise, patients can resume work and normal activities. Patients need to avoid touching their lips for two to three hours after injections. It is typically for a 20% size increase during the initial twenty-four hours due to swelling. It is recommended to use steroid creams and ice to minimize reactions.
Dr. U is able to answer any questions you may have on lip augmentation that have not been addressed above. To ask, just click the button below:
