What’s Lip Augmentation?
Lip augmentation methods expand the lips and could reduce fine facial lines around the mouth. The upper or lower lip might be treated alone, or both lips may enlarged simultaneously. Lip augmentation could be accomplished by injecting or surgically implanting materials into the lips. Some methods are temporary, other procedure are permanent.
What are the average costs of lip augmentation?
Lip Augmentation costs between $300 and $5,000 with respect to the techniques used.
Procedure time: half an hour – 2 hrs
INJECTIONS
Bovine collagen injections: Prepared in the bovine collagen present in cow skin, collagen injections are utilized to temporarily augment the lips. Even though it is purified, this collagen could cause allergic responses in many people. Because of this, a sensitivity test should be carried out prior to the actual lip augmentation procedure. Collagen is injected into the lip by using an ultra-fine needle. Since the body gradually absorbs the collagen, the outcomes generally last between one and three months. The process can be repeated as necessary.
Body fat injections: Body fat may also be injected in to the lip. The body fat is gathered from another part of the body (frequently the abdomen or upper thighs) and it is purified prior to it being injected in to the lips. A benefit for this procedure is the fact that there’s no chance of a hypersensitive reaction. Just like collagen, the results are temporary but normally last a bit longer than collagen injections.
Artecoll injections: Artecoll consists mainly of small synthetic beads (polymethyl methacrylate) that remain in the lips, and lift them. This method lasts longer than body fat or collagen injections.
Autologen injections: Autologen is collagen removed from the patient’s own skin, frequently from excess skin removed in a facelift. The outcomes are relatively long lasting, and there’s no chance of a hypersensitive reaction.
Dermalogen injections: Dermalogen is removed from donor material. The results are temporary, and are the same results of collagen injections.
Fascia injections: Fascia (white connective tissue) from donor tissue could be injected or surgically inserted.
HylaForm injections: Tissue comprised of a molecular element of the body from donor material.
Restylane injections: Restylane is really a clear gel and the hyaluronic acid in Restylane is comparable to that naturally found in the body.
Radiance: Radiance consists of calcium hydroxylapatite, a synthetic solution suspended inside a gel that’s been safely used for years. Results from Radiance should last between three and 5 years.
Juvéderm: Juvéderm is a hyaluronic acid-based clear gel. Results last 8 months to a year.
Surgical Treatments
AlloDerm: Alloderm is easily the most popular material for lip augmentation. It’s a natural collagen sheet gathered from cadavers and it is tested and processed. The standards through which it’s processed are extremely strict. The chance of infection is roughly 2%. Under local anesthesia, the material is placed through small incisions made in the interior corners of the mouth. Stitches are used to close the incisions. AlloDerm eventually becomes integrated with the natural tissue of the body. The material could be absorbed, therefore the results are temporary, lasting from 6 month to a year.
Synthetic Implants: Gore-Tex, SoftForm and soft ePTFE are also synthetic options with permanent results. They don’t shrink and therefore are never absorbed by the body. Additionally they stay in place because scarring forms on either side. To place the implant, a little cut is created within the lip. The material will be converted to the form of the small tube which is placed using a small needle. Synthetic implants are foreign substances and could become infected or perhaps be rejected by the body. If the happens, the implants can be taken out.
Body fat grafting: This process has permanent leads to roughly half of those who try it out. Although it’s possible the body will reabsorb it, lots of people choose body fat grafting since they prefer using body fat from their own body. The body fat is gathered from another part of the body, often the abdomen. It is then prepared and inserted by a needle into the lip from more than one point.
Local flap grafts: Local flaps bring material from the inside of the mouth to boost the lips. Results are temporary. An cut might be made within the mouth to push the tissue within the mouth upward, and outward, in to the lip, sometimes along with grafting. Or, an incision might be made across the upper lip line. Within this situation, skin above the lip is taken away, and the lip will be stitched across the line of incision.
What Will the Recovery be Like?
Topical anesthesia is usually used before lip injections, to ensure that the process is painless. Local anesthesia is generally used during grafts and flaps. The process is painless throughout the operation, but there might be some discomfort after. It takes longer to recuperate from the surgical treatment than an injection.
Injections: Recovery takes about 1-2 days. Bruising and swelling may last as long as a week.
Grafts and flaps: Recovery takes about 1-2 weeks. Throughout this time, you might experience some drooling. You may even experience some temporary stiffness inside your lips.
For faster recovery:
Keep ice packs on your lips for the first 48 hrs
Limit speaking and chewing should be limited throughout the very first 48 hrs
Limit smiling and laughing for that first week
Sleep inside a semi-upright position for that first week or so (don’t sleep on your stomach)
To prevent unnecessary swelling or bleeding, don’t bend over, strain, exercise or participate in any other activites that may increase pressure for your lips
Avoid strenuous activities for 1-3 days
Keep your lips clean to prevent infection (anti-biotics can also be distributed)
