The lips are one of the most important attributes of female beauty – a symbol of attractiveness and desire. Many women are not completely happy with the size and shape of their lips and today women who are unhappy with their lips have many options which include Lip Augmentation.

Lip augmentation is becoming increasingly popular for both men and women and whether you have always had thin lips, or you would like to return your lips to the shape and fullness they had when you were younger, a lip augmentation procedure, either temporary or permanent results, may provide you with the look you want by increasing the size of the lips to make them fuller and more attractive. The upper or lower lip may be treated singly or both lips may be augmented at the same time.

• To increase self confidence and enhance self image
• To give a more youthful appearance in a natural way
• For those with thin lips
• For those who are self concious about the size/shape of their lips

The best candidates for lip augmentation are those in good physical health, are mentally and psychologically stable, preferably do not smoke, those who want to improve their appearance and those who have realistic expectations about the procedure and results. Extra reasons may include:
• Men and women of all ages
• Free of allergies to the implant material used

Pre-visit and during consultations the surgeon will try to evaluate your physical-mental health and any medical conditions. In order to obtain the best results it is important that you are honest with the surgeon, that you advise any previous surgeries, if you are taking any medications, herbal supplements, vitamins or other drugs and if you smoke. Be sure to discuss your expectations and goals. The surgeon is here to guide, advise and explain to you how the surgery will be performed, possible alternatives that may offer better results, the risks and limitations of each as well as details of follow up and after care.

The Procedure

There are different types of lip augmentation procedures, each with particular advantages and limitation, some are permanent and others provide only temporary results.
Injections involve filling the lip with a soft substance, either collagen or fat, to create a fuller appearance.
Collagen is injected into the lip with small needles prepared from the collagen found in cow skin, collagen injections are used to temporarily augment the lips. Although it is purified, this collagen may cause allergic reactions in some people. For that reason, a sensitivity test should be performed before the actual lip augmentation procedure.
Because the body slowly absorbs the collagen, the results generally last between one and three months. The procedure may be repeated as needed.

Immediately following the surgery the lips may swell and hurt. Cold compresses should be used for 48 hours to control the swelling. During this time talking and chewing should be avoided as much as possible. Oral pain medications may be used to control the discomfort. Antibiotics may be given to reduce the possibility of infection. It is also important to keep the lips clean to avoid infection.
Injections: Most people return to work and normal activities within a couple of days of an injection procedure. Bruising and swelling may last as long as a week.
Grafts: People often wait between one and two weeks after graft procedures before returning to their normal routine. During that recovery time, they may experience some problems with drooling. Grafting also may leave the lips feeling unnaturally stiff for 2 to 3 months after the procedure. Any non-dissolving stitches may be removed about 7 – 10 days after the procedure.
Most people report little discomfort in the days after lip augmentation. However, grafts and flaps usually involve more pain during recovery and a longer recovery period, than lip injections,.
Fat injections are also placed in the lips with small needles. The fat used is harvested from another area of the body – most often the abdomen or the thighs – and is purified before it is injected into the lips. An advantage to this procedure is that there is no possibility of an allergic reaction. As with collagen injections, results are temporary. The procedure is often performed more than once to achieve desired results.
Artecoll may be injected and augments the natural tissue to create long lasting results. It is mainly composed of tiny synthetic “beads” (polymethyl methacrylate) that stay in the lips and raise them. Only a few doctors in the U.S. have been trained in this procedure.
Autologen may be injected, this is collagen extracted from the patients own skin, often from excess skin removed in a facelift. The results are relatively long lasting and there is no risk of an allergic reaction.
Dermalogen is extracted from the skin of a human donor and is inserted in the lip just like collagen. The donor material is screened and processed to avoid the spread of disease. The ffects are temporary and are similar to the effects of collagen injections.
 

Grafts
There are three different substances commonly used in grafting.
AlloDerm is a popular human-donor grafting material that is screened and processed to minimize the spread of disease. The standards by which it is processed are strict. (The risk of infection is only about 2%.)
Under a local anesthesia, the material is inserted through incisions made in the inside corners of the mouth. Stitches are used to close the incisions. The material is often absorbed, so that the results are only temporary, lasting from 6 months to a year.
SoftForm has recently replaced another lip implant material, Gore-Tex, because it has been shown to produce better results with fewer complications. SoftForm does not shrink and is never absorbed into the body. It also remains in place because scar tissue forms on both ends. This allows it to easily be removed if it becomes infected.
To insert SoftForm, a small incision is made in the inside of the lip. The material is then made into the shape of a small tube and it is inserted with an insertion trochar (needle). For the upper lip, this process is repeated three times, to implant three separate pieces in the lip. In the lower lip, two pieces are usually used.
Fat grafting produces lasting results in approximately half of the people who try it. Although it is possible that the body will reabsorb it, many people choose fat grafting becuase they are most comfortable with using the fat from their own body to enhance their lips. The fat is harvested from another area of the body, often the abdomen. It is then prepared and inserted with a needle into the lip from more than one point.
Local Flap Graft
This takes a flap of tissue from inside the mouth outside to enhance the lips. Results are temporary. An incision may be made inside the mouth to push the tissue inside the mouth upward, and outward, into the lip, sometimes in conjunction with grafting. Or, an incision may be along the upper lip line. In this case, skin above the lip is removed and the lip is then stitched along the line of the incision.
Be sure to:
• Tell the surgeon about any allergies you have (to foods, drugs, environmental elements).
• Tell your surgeon if you have a history of bad scarring, such as keloids
• Avoid aspirin and aspirin-containing medicines for 2 weeks prior to surgery.
• Inform your surgeon if you experience any fever-like symptoms or signs of infection after the procedure.
• Use ice packs to decrease any discomfort and reduce swelling after the procedure
• Avoid strenuous physical activity in the first few days following the procedure
Patients will see their lips not only look natural but feel natural and most patients are pleased with the outcome and gain a feeling of increased self confidence.
If you are looking for a procedure to give you a smooth, healthy, more youthful and fuller appearance then Lip Augmentation is the answer. Most patients are more than happy with the end results and often repeat the process.

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