Whether you have simply always desired fuller lips or are beginning to notice signs of aging in the lips or surrounding area, there are non-surgical options available to create a more plump and youthful lip appearance. Our double board-certified Zionsville plastic surgeon, Dr. Emily Hrisomalos, offers dermal fillers that can provide patients with the lips they desire without the need for the anesthesia or extensive downtime associated with surgery.
By strategically injecting small amounts of dermal filler in and around the lips (for any lines that may have developed), this minimally invasive treatment option offers a plump, natural lip augmentation that can last up to 6 to 12 months (depending on the injectable formula used and patient-specific factors)—or sometimes even longer. For lips that are naturally thin or have started to lose volume or shape, dermal fillers can plump and hydrate the lips to optimize appearance or can be used to fill fine lines and creases above and below the lips. Dr. Hrisomalos finds that many patients interested in a noticeable but natural lip enhancement can benefit from the dermal filler approach in many ways, including:
- Refined lip contours, borders, and definition
- Improved lip symmetry
- Rejuvenated volume for thinning or aging lips
- Increased volume for naturally thin lips
- Enhanced lip softness, hydration, and appearance
When performed by an experienced facial plastic surgeon like Dr. Hrisomalos, the aesthetic outcome can be tailored to the patient’s unique concerns and cosmetic goals. Dr. Hrisomalos offers both the RHA® Collection and Restylane® fillers, which are both lines of hyaluronic acid dermal fillers, and can be injected in very small amounts to gradually achieve the patient’s desired shape and volume. This conservative method helps to avoid overfilling or an overly unnatural-looking result. Excessive filler in the lips can lead to migration and other undesirable consequences. Formulas that are made of hyaluronic acid, a substance found naturally within the body, ensure a safe—and, if needed, reversible—treatment process and are the only type of injectable filler products used for lip enhancement at our practice.
The RHA® Collection
The RHA® collection of fillers provides several options for lips depending on the goals of the patient, and each formula is designed to be exceptionally long-lasting. These hyaluronic acid-based gel formulations can create subtly or dramatically plump lips and smooth the appearance of fine lines around the lips and mouth. The collection includes fillers of many different consistencies, including Redensity, RHA2, RHA3, and RHA4. The decision regarding which consistency of product to choose is based on many factors discussed at your consultation with Dr. Hrisomalos.
Restylane®
Similarly, the Restylane® line of products offers multiple hyaluronic acid-based gel solutions for lips. Restylane® Kysse (lasts up to one year) adds fullness and definition to the lip shape, while improving color and texture, while Restylane® Silk and L (last up to 6 months) provides subtle lip plumping and smoothing of wrinkles and lines around the mouth. For those desiring more noticeable lip enhancement, thicker products such as Refyne and Defyne may also be used off-label for the purpose of lip enhancement.
Follow-up treatments are usually only needed one to two times per year to maintain the results, depending on the product used and the individual’s response to the injectable solution.
Of note, in certain cases lip augmentation using a neurotoxin, such as BOTOX Cosmetic or Dysport, may be recommended for a “Lip Flip”. This leads to more lip-show when smiling and prevents the upper lip from becoming overly thin with expression. It also subtly lifts the upper lip, increasing its height slightly at rest. In some cases, both filler and neurotoxin may be recommended, as they work differently and sometimes synergistically when it is felt this may be beneficial.
If you are interested in a more permanent change, a surgical lip augmentation, or lip lift, may be a better fit. A lip lift is designed to shorten the space between the nose and the top of the lip to make the upper lip appear fuller. By surgically increasing the visible height and thickness of pigmented lip tissue, Dr. Hrisomalos can enhance the overall balance and proportion of the mouth.
For additional information about non-surgical or surgical lip augmentation, or to schedule a consultation with Dr. Hrisomalos, please contact us today.