Lip augmentation is a procedure done to give the client fuller and plumper lips. The most common method for augmenting lips is injecting some type of dermal filler in the lips and around the mouth. The doctor will typically perform the procedure in his office.
The doctor will start by administering a numbing agent to the patient’s mouth. He may use injections to completely numb the patient’s lips.
After marking the areas to be injected, the doctor will use a very fine needle to inject the filler. He will give the patient ice after the procedure to ease any discomfort. The procedure typically takes about an hour.
What kinds of dermal fillers are there?
The dermal fillers most commonly used for lip injections are made from hyaluronic acid, which occurs naturally in the human body.
Hyaluronic acid fillers can add shape, structure and volume to the lips. The doctor can pace the procedure and thus control how much volume is added to the lips at any one time.
Brands of hyaluronic acid fillers all have similar results and are injected in the same way. Some of them contain lidocaine, so the patient should tell the doctor if they are allergic to lidocaine.
Other types of fillers are made from collagen or fat. Collagen used to be the most common type, but has been largely supplanted by the hyaluronic acid fillers which are safer and last longer.
In fat injection or fat transfer, the doctor uses fat from the patient’s own body to act as a dermal filler. This type takes longer to perform than other types, for the doctor has to extract a small amount of fat from the patient’s body through liposuction.
Are there side effects?
Side effects from lip injections are typically mild and last only a few days. There may be tenderness and redness at the injection sites.
Who should not have lip augmentation / lip injections done?
A person having lip injections needs to be a non-smoker in good health. People with diabetes, lupus, or a history of blood-clotting problems may not be suitable candidates for lip augmentation.
People with allergies, especially to lidocaine, should tell the doctor beforehand. In addition, a candidate for lip augmentation should also tell the doctor about any medicines they’re taking, including prescriptions, herbal supplements and over-the-counter drugs.
If you’re interested in lip injections, contact Plastic and Cosmetic Center of South Texas today to schedule an appointment.
