Lip Enhancement

Young patients may come and see me because they have naturally thin lips and want lip enhancement. With aging the lips droop and loose volume, pout and definition. Subtle lip enhancement may improve the situation and give you better lips.

Most lip enhancement is performed with the injection of either filler material or fat.

Filler material requires no harvesting – it comes in pre-filled syringes. It is quick and easy to perform, but can be a little sore. I therefore will use either topical anaesthetic gel applied to your lips or an injection of local anaesthesia (like the dentist gives) to numb your lips. Lip filling is done in the rooms at the time of consultation. You will be awake and be able to monitor the amount of filler that goes in. You are likely to experience some swelling and bruising and filling for a few days after. The filler lasts about a year, sometimes longer. The filler works by attracting water to the lips, so it gives a soft, natural feel to the lips.

Before, after lip augmentation with filler, and then after a second filler injection for even more augmentation.

Fat grafting is a simple, minor procedure which I perform in my own procedure room. It is done under local anaesthesia and sometimes some light sedation. The fat may be harvested from your tummy or neck, it is treated by centrifuging and then simply injected into the lips. Bruising and swelling may last a little longer than with filler lip augmentation, and although the fat is less predictable than filler, the result should be longer lasting and permanent. Depending on how full you want your lips to be, you may require a second or third procedure. Very occasionally I need to do additional procedures in patients who want significantly fuller lips, but I always recommend trying fat grafting as the first option in patients who want a permanent result. The fat is soft and pliable and gives soft, naturally full lips.

Lip augmentation with filler (above) and in another patient with fat (below).

Lip lifts are performed under local anaesthesia. There are two kinds of lip lifts – the central 3/4 of the lip can be lifted with a bullhorn type incision under the nose which should leave an imperceptible scar. The outer corners of the lip can be lifted with a corner lift which again leaves minimal scar. I can also lift the corner of the lips with fat grafting.

Page last updated: 20 October 2024