As we age, the lips may begin to shrink and lose definition. The natural aging process can create an unwanted sagging effect. A lip augmentation can drastically improve the appearance of the lips and smile, reversing the effects of aging.
What Is Lip Augmentation?
Lip augmentation is a procedure performed to enhance the size and shape of your lips. There are two types of lip augmentations, a surgical lip lift and temporary treatment using dermal fillers.
What Is a Lip Lift?
A lip lift can help older patients whose lips are beginning to sag, as well as younger individuals looking for a fuller, more defined pout.
A lip lift is an invasive procedure performed to shorten the space between the bottom of the nose and the top of the lips. During the procedure, excess skin is removed from the upper lip just beneath the nose in a bullhorn-shape. Subcutaneous sutures are then placed to bolster the strength of the repair and to align the bottom of the nose with the top of the lip.
By shortening the upper lip and turning the vermilion (the pink part off our lips) outward, the result is a more voluminous and rolled-out lip. After the procedure is complete, the patient is left with a raised vermilion border, which defines the Cupid’s bow. This leaves the lips looking more enhanced.
What Can I Expect During and After My Lip Lift?
The procedure is typically done in the office under local anesthesia and usually takes less than one hour to complete.
A surgical lip lift will require the patient to eat soft foods for a few days, but you will be able to return to work in just a couple of days. While you are able to return to work, there will be swelling. You will have your sutures removed in just one week, and you can conceal your incision line ten days post-op. Your mouth will feel tight for about a week or two but swelling should disappear within 1-2 weeks.
What Are Dermal Fillers and How Are They Used to Enhance Lips?
Dermal fillers are used to treat facial sagging and can also be used to enhance your lips. Most dermal fillers last 6-12 months making this non-surgical lip augmentation option a great choice for those who aren’t quite ready to go under the knife, but want to plump their pout. The primary role of dermal fillers is to reverse the signs of aging.
What Is Hyaluronic Acid?
Most dermal fillers are made at least partly of hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid is a sugar derivative naturally found in the body that has the ability to hold 1,000 times its own weight in water. Hyaluronic acid is amazing for moisturizing skin and enhancing your lips.
Hyaluronic acid is the most natural-looking filler, dissolves over time, and can be reversed when being used for cosmetic procedures.
What Can I Expect When Having My Lips Filled?
Dermal fillers will, of course, enhance your lips. The benefit of choosing the non-surgical lip augmentation is that there is little to no downtime required after this procedure. You will be able to leave directly following the completion of your lip enhancement procedure.
What Dermal Filler Is Best for Lip Enhancement?
Restylane KYSSE is a stand out product for dermal lip enhancement. Restylane KYSSE is a new Galderma product that uses Galderma’s proprietary XpresHAn (expression) Technology and changes the way that hyaluronic acid binds to the inside of the lips. Restylane KYSSE is the first and only FDA-approved lip filler to have this technology.
When patients use Restylane KYSSE, the hyaluronic acid is bound to itself, allowing it to stretch, and go back to the space where it was before. When you move your lips to talk, smile, or kiss, the hyaluronic acid can integrate into the tissue where it’s injected and mold to your tissue.
By becoming one with your lips, it appears more natural when your lips are in motion.
What Are the Benefits of Restylane KYSSE?
Restylane KYSSE leaves you with natural feeling lips while improving the appearance of lines above the mouth.
If you’re looking to enhance your natural beauty, Restylane KYSSE creates a soft, natural look for your lips. Your lips look rejuvenated as wrinkles are also filled out and become softer and more supple.
Getting a treatment with Restylane KYSSE can also correct a sad mouth corner due to frown lines or make an irregular upper lip more balanced. Another major benefit of Restylane KYSSE is that it has been clinically proven to last 6-9 months, but some patients report it lasting up to 12 months.
Like many other filler procedures, getting a Restylane KYSSE treatment takes only 15-30 minutes. Many people can get the treatment and return to their normal activities without any recovery time.
What Can I Expect at My Consultation for Lip Augmentation?
If you’re considering either type of lip enhancement, contact Dr. Keith Ladner. Dr.Ladner is experienced in both types of procedures and can advise you as to which one would best suit you. We will take the time to discuss and explore options and make sure we choose the procedure that will work best to help you achieve your aesthetic goals or advise you on your best options.
Dr. Ladner is double board-certified by the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery as well as the American Board of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery. He is also a certified Gladerma trainer with extensive knowledge of a variety of filler products. Contact Ladner Facial Plastic Surgery today at (303) 253-7686 to schedule your appointment.
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