Many patients consider dermal fillers to enhance the appearance of their lips in a way that looks very natural with little downtime. Some patients desire lip implants, however, these require surgery, are costly, and are usually very difficult to remove if that’s ever desired. Lip implants also have a substantially longer downtime after the operation compared to dermal fillers which have little to none.
However, the main difference between implants and dermal fillers for lip enhancement is that dermal fillers are temporary—patients are usually able to enjoy the benefits for six months to a year, after which time they will need to have another treatment to enjoy the natural look of full, plump lips.
There is no required age or “best time” to get a lip enhancement treatment—as long as you’re in good physical health, these kinds of treatments are appropriate. For patients who have always had thin lips, perhaps even the kind that seem to disappear when they smile or even speak, a dermal filler treatment can give them the natural looking, full lips that they’ve always wanted. For some patients, a lip enhancement is a way to balance out the aesthetics of their face, since some people simply are born with uneven looking lips—in these cases, the dermal filler can be applied to the side which needs to be evened out.
As individuals age, the lips naturally become thinner. This reduction in lip volume is similar to how the rest of the face tends to lose its fullness and elasticity, and this is because as a person gets older they’ll have less and less fat, collagen, and elastin in the face. The lips do not escape this, so for many people who have noticed that their lips are becoming thinner with time, dermal fillers are a safe and effective way to return their lips to their previous state.
What Kinds of Fillers Are Used?
In most cases, patients choose to enjoy lip enhancement by using a synthetic dermal filler such as Juvederm™, or Restylane®. These are usually made of a “biocompatible” material, meaning that their primary acting component is something that your body produces naturally, such as hyaluronic acid, and can thus be reabsorbed by the body without incident. Of course this absorption reduces the amount of fullness that can be seen in the lips, and will need to be replaced eventually after six months to a year.
During your initial consultation with your plastic surgeon, you’ll be given the opportunity to speak to them about all of your aesthetic goals concerning your lips. The professional will then let you know what can or cannot be achieved through dermal fillers. While you’re having this conversation, it’s important to be as completely open and honest about what your goals are.
You’ll also be asked a series of questions, ranging from whether or not you have any medical conditions to any history you might have had with non-surgical cosmetic treatments such as dermal fillers. You’ll then have an evaluation so that the surgeon can assess the optimal placement of the filler and discuss realistic goals that can be achieved.