Thin lips are a common concern for many and may be the result of either genetics or age. Having fuller lips often translates into feeling more attractive, a more youthful look, higher self-esteem, and of course–more smiles. At the Laser and Skin Surgery Center, Dr. Renuka Diwan MD, FAAD offers patients a non-surgical approach to lip enhancement, helping her patients achieve the fuller, more youthful smiles they desire.
How is a non-surgical lip augmentation performed?
The lips become thinner with age and restoring fullness is an important part of facial rejuvenation. Greater fullness and definition of the upper or lower lips can be achieved with a painless, surgery-free lip enhancement. Dr. Diwan is able to increase the fullness of the lips using dermal fillers such as Restylane®, Restylane Silk or Juvéderm Ultra®. These fillers are safely injected into the lips to enhance their definition and size while maintaining a natural appearance and proportion. These filler injections can be repeated periodically to maintain the desired fullness of your lips. A very small amount of Botox, carefully injected in the lips, can also increase the visible height of the lip, and help to prevent too much fullness from fillers.
How do Lip Fillers Work?
Most lip filler treatments involve the use of a hyaluronic acid (HA) filler.
HA fillers are injected directly into the lips to enhance definition and/or fullness. HA is beneficial because it not only plumps the lips but also attracts and binds water from within to deliver a healthy, natural-looking pout. To really understand this process, it’s important to first know what HA is. This sugar derivative is produced naturally in the body to hydrate eyes, joints, and skin. The power of this compound is that it can bind to and retain water molecules equal to 1,000 times its own weight. With such moisturizing abilities, HA makes for a perfect filler: it is biologically inspired, protects tissues, and gives long-lasting results.
Do Lip Injections Hurt?
Getting injections into the delicate tissue around the mouth can be intimidating. D. Diwan recommends applying a numbing cream to desensitize the skin before commencing with your treatment. There are other simple techniques used in the office to reduce discomfort as well. Many of the injectable products that are used for lip enhancement contain a little bit of lidocaine, a mild anesthetic which also reduces discomfort. Generally, lip filler injections are very well-tolerated. This is true even when treating thin or deflated lips or fine lines that border the lips. If you’re curious about getting lip injections, please don’t hesitate to ask us! We’re here to make sure you look your best while also feeling comfortable throughout your procedure.
Are Lip Injections Right for Me?
Lip augmentation is a common nonsurgical procedure that is performed nearly every day in our office. However, just because lip injections are popular doesn’t mean it is right for you. How do you know? You can begin to explore the value of lip injections if you aren’t happy with the shape of your mouth. Are your lips naturally thin? Do they disappear when you speak or smile? Have your lips gone from luscious to lackluster as you’ve aged? Do you notice the vertical lines around your mouth more than the volume of your lips themselves? It doesn’t take long to spot the things about your lips that you might not love. Once you do, your next step is to talk to Dr. Diwan, an experienced injector, to find out if nonsurgical lip augmentation is right for you.
Could Lip Fillers Make Me Look Unnatural?
Our goal is to enhance your look not just your lips. Dr. Diwan has an esthetic eye for keeping the fullness of your lips in proportion to the rest of your face. Unfortunately, people often have overdone lips from less experienced injectors. When you consult with Dr. Diwan you can expect to have a discussion of what will enhance your lips and your face, without looking unnatural. Lip augmentation may take place over a couple of appointments to make sure the enhancement is gradual and not overdone.
Is there anything I Should Avoid After Lip Injections?
After lip injections, for 24 hours, you may want to observe the following:
Apply cold packs and keep your head elevated
Avoid rubbing, massaging, or exfoliating the lips.
Kiss, but do so gently!
Avoid using a straw when drinking.
Drink lots of water and avoid alcohol.
How long is lip augmentation recovery?
There is little to no downtime following a non-surgical lip enhancement with Dr. Diwan. You may experience some minor swelling or discomfort, but this should fade over the next couple days. Dr. Diwan will provide you with detailed care instructions. Most patients are able to return to their daily routines.
You will notice an immediate change in the look of your lips following your treatment. At first, they may appear a little swollen, but over the next few days, any swelling will dissipate, and your lips will appear naturally fuller.
How long will the results of my lip augmentation last?
Because the fillers used will not provide permanent results, we recommend returning for a little more filler to maintain lip enhancement every 6 months or when you notice that your lips are losing their fullness (*).
Lip Filler Reviews from Real Patients
“Love my new lips! They look very natural. Highly recommend Dr. Diwan…. you will not be disappointed.”
“Received Filler in my upper lip area – loved the results . Dr Diwan is wonderful would recommend her to anyone .”
“Dr. Diwan is a master in her profession. She listens and implements her years of experience to achieve excellent results. I have been a patient for over ten years and will continue to be .😊 results”
