Your Choices in Lip Enhancement
A full pout is a coveted feature today, thanks to manyHollywood stars that are flaunting their augmented lips for the camera. If you are considering lip augmentation for yourself, you have a number of good options. At Ocean Plastic Surgery, we offer different approaches to lip augmentation to help you get the full, sensuous mouth you have always dreamed about.
Dermal Fillers
Dermal fillers are injectable treatments commonly used to smooth away facial wrinkles. However, some of these formulations are also effective in adding youthful volume to areas like the cheeks and lips. The best fillers for lip augmentation are those that boast smooth formulations and small particles to add subtle volume and lift without bumps or other side effects.
Dr. Small usually recommends Restylane Silk for his patients seeking fuller lips. This formulation is smooth enough for the delicate lip area and has been specifically approved by the FDA for this purpose. This formulation can also minimize the appearance of fine lines above the upper lip to further enhance your overall look. Injections take just a few minutes and results can last up to six months.
Autologous FatTransfer
Lipofilling or fat transfer is another option for those seeking fuller lips. This two-step procedure involves the removal of fat cells from one area of the body and injection of the cells into another area of the body. For example, you might have excess pockets of fat removed from your midsection to create a smoother, leaner abdominal area. Some of that fat can then be processed and purified for injection into the lips.
The fat removal process is performed via the body contouring procedure known as liposuction. This procedure uses a narrow tube called a cannula and very small incisions to access the fat deposit and remove fat cells. Recovery from liposuction usually takes 3-5 days, depending on the amount of fat to be removed.
Once the fat is removed, it is placed into a centrifuge to prepare it for injections. The injections of fat are administered in a very similar fashion to dermal fillers, requiring no anesthesia or downtime afterward. However, the fat injections offer long-lasting, even permanent results for patients.
Surgical Solutions
While fat grafting can be a long-lasting solution for fuller lips, the more permanent treatment is surgical placement of lip implants. Silicone implants come in a wide range of shapes and sizes, allowing us to choose the specific implant that will work best with your facial proportions and desired results. The silicone is very soft, ensuring you get a very natural look and feel to your implant procedure.
Lip implants are placed during an outpatient procedure using local anesthetic. Tiny incisions are made at the corners of the mouth to place the implants, which leave little or no visible scarring after your procedure. Recovery usually takes a couple of weeks and your results will be permanent unless you opt to remove the implants at some point in the future.
If you would like to achieve the fuller, sexier pout you see many of your Hollywood favorites, there are a number of treatment options available today. Contact Ocean Plastic Surgery at (732) 255-7155 to schedule your personal consultation with Dr. Small to find out which augmentation treatment is the right one for you.