Lip Enhancements

Full, round lips is usually associated with youth and beauty. As we age the fat and supporting tissue of the lips decreases in bulk and the lips become thin and loose projection.

Reasons for wishing to have lip enhancement vary. Women often wish to enlarge the lips to give a fuller, more attractive appearance and to enhance the margin of the lips. Some women find they are over-painting the lips with lipstick to give the appearance of fuller lips and such women will particularly benefit. Women unhappy with the thinness of their lips with advancing age are often also seeking this procedure.

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The lips can be enhanced or augmented in a variety of ways. The simplest method is by using an injectable dermal filler product. These products are aimed particularly at augmentation of the "white roll" or border of the lip. The procedure is done in the office on a walk in, walk out basis. It lasts about 6 months depending on the product. The treatment can be repeated as necessary.

Injection of the body's own fat cells (Fat injection) can have similar results that may be longer lasting. In general, however, the fat cells do not survive long term and become absorbed.

A more dramatic and permanent form of lip augmentation is to have a strip of tissue taken from the buttock threaded into the upper and lower lip. (Autogenous augmentation) Because this tissue is supported by dermis, it survives reliably giving a permanent full lip augmentation. The procedure is done under twighlight sedation on a day stay basis. (no hospital admission required).