Copyright © 2023 Somenek + Pittman MD. All rights reserved.
As we age, the lips, along with other features of the face, have a tendency to sag and lose fullness. With diminishing support and elasticity of the skin, the lips can become thin and begin to sag at the corners. In addition, lines may begin to develop around the mouth and obscure the lip border. Independent of age, some individuals were born with thin lips as this can be hereditary.
Lip augmentation in Washington DC offers natural and synthetic fillers that could keep your lips looking full; or you could opt for lip implants and other surgical procedures for a more permanent solution. Lip augmentation from a skilled non-surgical plastic surgeon might be a good option for you if you think your lips are not the size and shape that you would like them to be.
Lip enhancement treatments in Washington DC can help in the following cases:
Injectable fillers used for the lips are comprised of hyaluronic acid and can be used in a variety of ways to improve the lip appearance. They are designed to provide a subtle yet noticeable change in the way the lips look. They can also be used for fine lines and wrinkles around the mouth and face. It mimics the body’s own hyaluronic acid, a substance that naturally decreases as a person grows older. Patients who think that their lips are too large can also speak to a plastic surgeon about lip reduction surgery options.
There are several options available when considering DC lip enhancement procedures, primarily: lip fillers, and fat transfer. A patient can determine which procedure is best for them.
Lip fillers come from hyaluronic acid and act as a fat substitute to plump up the lips. In this process, the doctor uses a tiny gauge needle to inject the lip filler into the upper and lower lips. Dermal fillers are designed to replenish hyaluronic acid and reverse the effects of volume loss in the lips and around the mouth. Dermal fillers may also be used to improve marionette lines, as well as a downward turn to the corners of the mouth which may impart a sad, angry or tired appearance. This technique provides a subtle, yet noticeable improvement, resulting in lips that are fuller and smoother without undergoing a full augmentation.
Several different types of lip fillers are available, including Juvederm, Perlane, Restylane, and Voluma. During a consultation, the doctor could examine a patient’s lips and face, and take photos to calculate the desired shape of the lips. The procedure itself takes about 15 to 30 minutes. Side effects of lip filler procedures may include swelling, asymmetry of the lips, bruising, or infection.
A doctor could obtain fat from a patient’s own body through liposuction. The cells are processed before the doctor injects them into the lips with a fine gauge needle. Typically, only a small amount of fat tissue is removed and there are usually no visible differences to the area where the removal occurred. This procedure is generally performed under local anesthesia and causes almost no pain and discomfort. The fat transfer procedure takes about 60 to 90 minutes to complete and the patient can go home the same day. Lips augmented with the fat transfer technique tend to stay full for at least five years or longer. However, fat grafting can be unpredictable in some, as not all the fat cells survive the transfer, which can lead to a partial resorption of the injected fat. Side effects can include swelling, bruising, infection, or the appearance of lumps.
Botox can be used to improve a downward turn to the corners of the mouth which may make a person appear sad, angry, or tired. Botox is injected in small amounts directly into the muscle responsible for the downward pull called the depressor anguli oris. Results are natural and last an average of four to six months.
If you are looking for a small surgical procedure that provides more permanent results, a lip lift is commonly used to reduce the vertical height of the upper lip as well as improve the definition and contour of the lip. It can address an upper lip that appears too long, which can often cover too much of the upper teeth when at rest. This can create a slight eversion of the upper lip, which leads to a more attractive appearance. A lip lift procedure can be performed on both young and old patients, and is easily done under local anesthesia with minimal discomfort.
The procedure involves removing a small strip of skin from the junction of the nose and upper lip in order to lift the upper lip. Scarring is unnoticeable with this technique and patients are fully recovered within a week.
If you are looking for fuller lips, consider lip augmentation in Washington DC. The process is quick and easy, and your doctor could answer any questions you may have about the procedure or healing process. Reach out to our office today to discuss your options.
Check out some of our work with before and after galleries for lip augmentation.
Copyright © 2023 Somenek + Pittman MD. All rights reserved.
