Overview of Lip Augmentation

Lip augmentation has been used by men and women to create fuller, plumper lips and also to reduce fine wrinkles and other markings around the mouth. Many techniques have been used for lip augmentation. The most common method have been to inject the lips with collagen or with fat transferred from another site in the patient’s body.

The problem with both liquid collagen and fat are that they are eventually absorbed by the body and repeat treatments are necessary to maintain results. Newer, longer-lasting options have been developed which include implantable materials like AlloDerm and SoftForm.

Injections for Lip Augmentation:

The technique used to enhance the lips depends on the method selected. Injections are the quickest and simplest procedures. A determination of which material is made, either a natural or synthetic biocompatible material, or the patient’s own fat.

This substance is then injected or implanted into the lips. One injection is usually sufficient to produce the desired result, however these results may only be temporary, depending on the material used. For this reason, injections may need to be repeated periodically.

Implants for Lip Augmentation

If it has been determined that implant will be utilized, then the procedure will take longer and may be more complicated, as proper placement of the material is important. A common implant material is AlloDerm, a natural collagen sheet made from donated skin. AlloDerm is inserted through tiny incisions inside the corners of the mouth. Once the AlloDerm implant is in place, it eventually becomes integrated with the body’s natural tissues. Gore-Tex, SoftForm and soft ePTFE are other synthetic implant options which have recently been used.

Rejuvenation, the Newest Technique

Finally, a new technique that has grown in popularity is laser lip rejuvenation. While this does not increase the fullness of the lips, it does tighten the natural collagen and elastic tissue beneath the lips, reducing wrinkles and providing a more youthful appearance.

Benefits and Considerations:

Lip injections usually allow you to return to normal activities immediately. These injections, while temporary, can allow the patient to experiment with the appearance of fuller lips, without making the complete commitment. Collagen injections have a short-lived effect (9-12 weeks); fat injections provide longer-lasting results, but are sometimes unpredictable as to the degree of improvement, can have lumping or scarring effects.

Implants, while longer lasting, can also require a longer recover period. AlloDerm and Dermalogen do not require patients to provide donor tissue and are not rejected by the body, because they are human tissue. Usually they have a pliable, natural feel. Soft-form is a foreign body and may become infected or be rejected.

Allergic reactions can range from prolonged redness, swelling or itching, to firmness at the injection site. Other possible complications include bleeding, lip asymmetry, and migration and extrusion of the implant. Normal swelling and bruising lasts from three days to a week. While many techniques exist for lip augmentation, none are ideal.