Many people seek treatment for flat, thin, or deflated lips. In recent years, manufacturers have been hard at work developing dermal filler products that could meet the need for fullness in the delicate lip area. Even more recently, experienced plastic surgeons have begun using patients’ own fat cells as a natural filler. Both options have merit. Here, we discuss how each works.
Dermal Filler Lip Augmentation
Non-surgical lip enhancement is typically achieved with dermal fillers such as Juvéderm. This technique may nicely reduce the appearance of the fine lines that often develop just outside of the lip line. The process is straightforward and convenient, with most patients able to complete their appointment without any anesthesia. This is because many of the filler products that are used for lip enhancement contain minute amounts of lidocaine.
The side effects of dermal filler treatment include slight swelling, redness, and bruising that last a few hours at most. The results of treatment can last up to 5 months. This is much less than other areas commonly treated with fillers due to the smooth, thin consistency of lip fillers.
Fat Injections for Fuller Lips
Fat injections are administered in a two-step process. First, fat cells are obtained from an area of the body, such as the thighs or abdomen. The extracted cells are processed to separate the purest cells, and an appropriate amount of fat is then introduced into a different part of the body. Fat injections are commonly used for cheek augmentation and for adding structure to parts of the face that have become hollow, such as under the eyes.
For individuals who are interested in adding plumpness and overall volume to the inside of the lips, inside the lip line, fat injections may be ideal. The side effects of fat injections are similar to dermal fillers. However, the results of this technique can last indefinitely. This is one of the primary benefits of fat versus synthetic fillers. The risk of treatment is that fat may not survive the transplant process. There is no way to predict how much fat will integrate into the treatment area, if any. However, the success rate of fat as a filler has been consistently high.
Facial rejuvenation has received a considerable boost from the strategic use of fat. To learn more about fat injections for cheek, lip, or face enhancement, call our Bloomington office at (309) 664-1007.