Risks Of Lip Augmentation

Whenever something foreign is injected into the body, there is always the potential for side effects and complications. The same applies to dermal fillers used to augment lips.

There is no lip filler which is risk free and the potential for complications is always present.

In general, the major risk of animal derived collagen is allergy. All individuals who get injected with bovine collagen must undergo a skin test 4 weeks prior to the procedure. There is no substitute for the allergy test

Any individual deemed to have an allergic reaction to the collagen should not have the product injected. These individuals may be better served with injection of human derived collagen products.

The risk of spreading disease from collagen products are very slim and non existent. The products are extensively screened for a variety of viruses and bacteria prior to being available for injections.

Fat injections last longer but have a tendency to cause unevenness (Asymmetry) and lumpiness of the lips

Dermal fillers made from hyaluronic acid (Restylane, Juvederm) have minimal side effects. When injected into the lip they can restore a more natural and/or sensuous look. In contrast to other biodegradable implants, Restylane is not extracted from animals. This means no risk of allergic reaction. Therefore, it is perfectly safe to use instantly without pre-testing

The permanent fillers (Artecoll, Gore-Tex and silicone) have several risks, which include necrosis of the skin, granuloma (a hard, bumpy scar), severe inflammation, extrusion and infection.

Following your injections, normal activities can be resumed in a few hours.

The discomfort after the injection is minimal.

The treatment site may remain swollen for the first few hours. The mild bruising which is common can easily be covered with make-up.

Depending on the area treated, the lip augmentation may last anywhere from 3-9 months.

Fillers are expensive but the pricing varies depending on the number and types of areas being treated and the amount of filler material required. Treatments can range from several hundred to several thousand dollars. And most important, the temporary fillers rarely last more than 3-9 months.

The ideal dermal filler is still not available; the best dermal filler for your lips can only be determined by your preference and your physicians' experience.

Discuss all the benefits and risks of your options before having your lips augmented