There is no doubt that full, symmetrical and luscious lips are a highly desirable attribute for females. However, we are all unique and have very different facial features. While some people are fortunate enough to have fairly dominant and plump lips, others have very little lip tissue at all.

Unfortunately, as get older the amount of fat in our face naturally decreases. While this might sound like a good thing, the reality is that it can lead to a loss of volume that makes us look older than we really are. And it isn’t just our skin that is affected. Our lips can lose volume too, causing them to become thin and lined. Other factors can also contribute towards the development of fine lines and wrinkles around the lips that can add years onto our real age, in particular, smoking.

Whether you naturally have very thin lips, or your lips have been affected by the aging process, there is a simple cosmetic procedure that can enhance this aspect of your appearance and give you the soft, plump pout that you desire. This is known as lip augmentation.

What is lip augmentation?

Lip augmentation is a popular cosmetic procedure that can give you fuller, plumper lips. One form of lip augmentation involves the injection of certain amounts of dermal filler into the lips themselves. As their name suggests, these dermal fillers add volume to the lip tissue that improves the appearance of their shape and structure as well as enhancing their size. The other form of lip augmentation involves grafting fat from another part of your body into your lips.

Lips augmentation is ideal for:

• Boosting lip volume

• Eliminating fine lines and wrinkles from around the lips

• Addressing lip symmetry issues

• Adding color to the lips

• Drawing attention to your mouth and teeth (perfect if you have also recently had cosmetic dental work)

• Giving you greater confidence in your appearance

Here is what you need to know about the two most effective fillers for lip augmentation.

Injectable fillers for lip augmentation

Injectable fillers tend to be what most people think of when they are considering a lip augmentation procedure. This is because it is the most popular non-surgical method for enhancing the size and shape of the lips. Injectable dermal fillers usually have one of two primary ingredients. These are hyaluronic acid (HA) or collagen. Both of these are naturally-occurring substances so are completely safe for use in the majority of patients.

You will be given a local anesthetic ahead of having your filler administered which will help reduce any discomfort. The amount of filler injected will be carefully controlled so that your cosmetic professional can carefully craft your lips to achieve a natural but effective enhancement. This may mean different amounts going into upper and lower lips depending on your natural lip symmetry.

The result of injectable lip fillers can normally be seen within 48 hours and can be maintained for up to around six months before it is absorbed by the body and further treatment is required.

Fat fillers for lip augmentation

Also referred to as fat grafting, this type of lip augmentation involves fatty deposits being taken from another part of your own body and transplanted into your lips. The initial removal is done using liposuction – a process involving a thin, metal tube being inserted into the body to suck out excess fat cells. Once the fat has been collected, it is purified and then injected back into your lips in stages so that your cosmetic professional can layer the fat to create soft, plump and natural-looking lips.

Many people find that they only require a single treatment to obtain and maintain the appearance of their lips. However, occasionally repeated fat injections spaced evenly apart may be needed to help patients achieve optimal results. This would be something that is discussed with you at your consultation.

If you are considering lip augmentation and would like more information about either of the methods discussed above, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our reassuring and discreet team who will be delighted to help.