Lip Augmentation

There are many ways to plump up a lip. Today, women have realized the sex appeal of luscious lips and are eager to have their lips enlarged. Over the past 2 decades, several techniques have been developed to enlarge the lips.

Lip augmentation can be done with a cosmetic dermal filler, injection of fat or have implants inserted. There are no dermal fillers which are permanent and most last about 3-12 months. Only lip implants produce a permanent result.

Human-Based Collagen Lip Augmentation

Collagen was one of the first dermal filler used for augmentation and today there are a variety of collagen related products which can be used to augment the lips. Cosmoderm and Cosmoplast are human based collagen dermal fillers and widely used. Once injected, they can make the lips remain full and luscious anywhere from 3-6 months.

Initially, all lips are overfilled with these dermal implants because there is always some shrinkage which occurs immediately after the injection. With a greater number of collagen injections, the durability of collagen increases the results last longer.

Bovine-Based Collagen Lip Augmentation

Before the advent of human collagen products, bovine collagen injections were widely used to augment lips. Because of the risk of allergy, all individuals have to undergo an allergy test and wait about 4 weeks to determine if there is any reaction. The two most common bovine collagen implants are Zyderm and Zyplast. Bovine collagen mixed with small microspheres (Artefill) is also now a readily available lip filler. These products last just as long as the human collagen and are slightly cheaper.

Hyaluronic Acid-Derived Lip Augmentation

Lip augmentations can also be done by injection a naturally occurring substance called Hyaluronic acid. The chemical is naturally found in the body and play a major role in the support of tissues. When injected it can fill the space in the tissues and helps expand the site. It is a jelly like chemical and safe for injection.

Hyaluronic acid fillers are said to offer longer lasting results than collagen-based fillers. Brand names of these fillers include Restylane, Perlane, Dermalive, Juvederm, and Hylaform.

Fat Transfer Lip Augmentation

There are some individuals who may have allergy to collagen and may require the injection of fat. The fat may be derived from the buttock area and then injected into the lips. The fat once removed is prepared and then transferred. Fat is not always easy to inject and many time, the contour and the smoothness in the lips does not occur because the fat does not distribute evenly. Even the results after fat injection are unpredictable but do last long than dermal fillers.

Lip Augmentation Filler Risks, Recovery, and Cost

After injection of dermal fillers, swelling, bleeding and some pain is common. These are transient and disappear over the next few days. Other rare complications that may occur after collagen and fat injections are

- Infection

- Lumping

- Scarring

- Numbness

- Cold sores

- Asymmetrical lips

- Hard bumps.

The majority of individuals who get lip augmentation are satisfied with the results. The cost of dermal injections varies from $ 400-1500 and above. Fat injections are generally more expensive and can cost anywhere from $ 2000 and above.

Lip augmentation is primarily done by plastic and cosmetic surgeons. The procedure is strictly elective and you should never rush into it. Since you are paying for the procedure, choose your physician well and check up on his/her credentials and experience. If ever in doubt, seek a second opinion.