Types of Lip Procedures
Lip Augmentation, aka Lip Enhancement, Lip Filler, Lip Injections...etc., all are appropriate names. Ultimately the procedure entails using hyaluronic acid dermal filler (Juvederm, Restylane, Kysse, Volbella, or others) to add volume or hydration to the lips to increase size, improve texture, or define the border. The different products are chosen based on your desired result. You should explain in detail what you want to accomplish with your provider during your consultation to ensure that they can provide your desired outcome.
Danielle Smith NP, performs lip injections to increase the size of the lip for patients whose lips have lost volume with age or are unhappy with their lips' natural appearance. Lip Augmentation is performed not only to enhance the size of your lips but also to “re-shape” your lips. Danielle Smith NP, specializes in enhancing through subtleties. You can achieve a natural and beautiful smile by “re-shaping” your lips with minimal augmentation. There are several ways to augment your lips, including; injectable fillers, autologous grafts, or synthetic implants. For patients seeking a more conservative and natural option, injectable filler is the safest and most controlled method of achieving fuller, defined lips.
You can schedule an appointment at smith & co for your lip augmentation. Lip augmentation requires little to no downtime with minimal discomfort. With realistic expectations and good overall health, most patients are satisfied with the results of this procedure. Results are seen immediately with swelling. It takes 4 - 6 weeks for all the swelling to resolve and see the final. This result will last 6- 8 months for a half syringe and 10 - 12 months for a full syringe.
Lip Enhancement
Goal: Restore & Contour. Lip Enhancement is a procedure similar to a Lip Augmentation, using dermal filler to enhance the appearance of your lips. In this procedure, we not only enhance the lips' shape but also address lip wrinkles, down-turning corners of the mouth, nasolabial folds, and marionette lines. This procedure can require 1 to 3 syringes of hyaluronic acid filler, depending on your individual needs.
The perfect candidate for this procedure is an individual looking to provide a refreshed and youthful appearance to the lips and mouth area. By using an approach that addresses not only volume loss in the lips, we can also address the other changes of aging seen in the lower face and around the mouth.
Lip Augmentation
Goal: Add Volume! This procedure will provide you with a fuller, more volumized lip. The shape of the lip can be enhanced, but the main objective is to increase the volume of the lips. Generally, only 1 syringe of hyaluronic acid filler is needed to achieve optimal results.
Key things to keep in mind if you are considering a Lip Augmentation procedure... You want to maintain an aesthetic ratio between the top and bottom lip. Naturally, our top lip is slightly smaller than our bottom lip. To ensure a natural-looking Lip Augmentation, you want to maintain this ratio.
What is all entailed? The procedure is considered "minimally invasive" and takes about 15 minutes. After your lips are cleaned, the provider will inject a dermal filler, such as Juvederm or Restylane, into your lips. There will be several different injection points, and the lips may be slightly swollen after.
Lip Balancing
Goal: Balance & Symmetry. Lip Balancing is a procedure similar to Lip Augmentation, but rather than focusing on adding volume; we are focusing on balancing out the shape of your lip to provide symmetry.
This procedure is designed to correct existing asymmetry in your lip shape and balance. Issues causing asymmetry can include scar tissue, previous lip filler, natural asymmetry, and others. Lip Balancing requires a skilled eye and hand. This procedure generally requires 1 syringe of hyaluronic acid filler injected over 1 to 2 visits for optimal results.
Lips and Eyes are centerfolds to the perception of beauty. If someone has asymmetric lips, it becomes distracting and is seen as a flaw in the topography of someone’s face. Lip Balancing works to correct those asymmetries to create an aesthetically pleasing balance to the shape of someone’s lips.
Reasons for asymmetry can include scar tissue from an accident or previous oral surgery, previous lip injections that resulted in asymmetry, or even free silicone that was previously injected. Some patients are naturally born with slight asymmetries as well. These can be corrected with skill and precision in dermal filler placement to reshape your lips' appearance. I will generally use 1 syringe of filler to accomplish this, but I will do so over two visits to ensure any fine-tuning can be accomplished to provide the most optimal results.
Lip Wrinkles/ Smoker Lines
Goal: Soften & Smooth Fine Lines. Lip wrinkles, also known as smoker lines, can be very difficult to treat. Some providers will recommend Botox in this area. I find that is a short-lived temporary solution. My approach involves placing a very thin layer of filler perpendicular to the vertical lines. This thin layer is fanned up toward the nose to provide a natural continuation of subtle volume seamlessly throughout the area. Providing a slight amount of perpendicular volume makes it much harder for the wrinkles to fold into their previous creases, preventing future wrinkles while correcting the existing problem.
Another common area of aging around the mouth that significantly affects the appearance of the lips is the Oral Comissures. This term refers to the corners of the mouth that eventually begin to turn down as we age. By correcting this area at the same time we are enhancing lips, we can literally "Turn your frown upside down!"
Lip texture / Rehydration
Goal: Hydrate & Soften Texture. Restylane Silk is a unique filler in that it is very hydrophilic. This means that the molecule likes water. It actually pulls it into the lip tissue after injection. The downside is there is a lot of swelling initially, but it resolves quickly and leaves the lips with restored hydration. The results of the improved tissue quality can last well over 1 year. However, the product has been studied for its volumizing effect, which lasts about 6 months. Another reason why I favor Restylane Silk for a slight enhancement is because the product itself is not very volumizing, making it a perfect "restorer" or "refresher" option. A very similar effect to Restylane Silk (referred to as "Skin Booster") is being studied and utilized in Europe with micro-needling, aka micro channeling, to deliver the hyaluronic acid via needle to a superficial layer of the skin, designed to restore hydration to the face, chest, and hands. This procedure is referred to as "Skin Boosters."
WHO IS A GOOD CANDIDATE?
Nearly anyone is a candidate for this procedure. The most common reason patients undergo this procedure is to have slightly fuller lips, more definition, and a better shape overall.
TREATMENT OPTIONS
The best filler choice for this procedure is a Hyaluronic acid filler. Before starting, Danielle Smith NP, will sit and discuss your expectations with you and help you decide on the best filler to meet your needs.
PRE-PROCEDURE INSTRUCTION
If you are considering this procedure, it can be completed at the time of your consultation. To ensure you are ready for your appointment with Bedside Botox Cosmetic, make sure you have not consumed any Aspirin containing products prior to the procedure. If you must take Aspirin due to a medical condition, do not stop taking it until you speak with Danielle Smith NP-C . Avoid drinking alcohol, especially red wine, 1 week prior to your procedure to help minimize any bruising. You should bring a list of your current medications to your appointment and be prepared to provide a brief overview of your past medical history.
If you have a specific request regarding your lip augmentation, try to bring copies of any pictures of what you desire. Danielle will discuss your treatment options with you at the time of your appointment to best accomplish your desired results while maintaining an overall aesthetic facial balance.
POST-PROCEDURE INSTRUCTIONS
Immediately after the procedure, you can expect mild tenderness and swelling to your lips. Many patients often enjoy this puckered looked. The tenderness and swelling will subside in a few days. Patients who are considered easy bruisers or who take blood thinners may experience some mild bruising; these too, will resolve on their own in a few days. To speed up your recovery, you can take Arnica supplements right before and for a few days after the surgery. Danielle Smith NP has done extensive research into the effects of Arnica on the reduction of post-procedure bruising, swelling, and pain and offers supplements for purchase on-site if you forget to pick some up. Danielle Smith NP-C recommends avoiding touching your lips or manipulating them as much as possible. Sorry, no extensive make-out sessions tonight. Avoid strenuous exercise for the rest of the day after the procedure. You can resume your normal activities the next day, but to ensure the best results continue to avoid excessive manipulation of your lips for about a week. Using chapsticks and lipsticks is okay, but try not to be too aggressive in your application.
Hyaluronic Acid is a hydrophilic substance and will pull water into it; considering this, it is essential to keep your lips moisturized after the procedure with chapstick. You will also notice that when you eat excessively salty foods, your lips will look a little plumper; this is also related to the hydrophilic properties of hyaluronic acid.
FOLLOW UP EXPECTATIONS
Danielle Smith NP, has her patients follow up in 2 weeks to evaluate their results and ensure they are completely satisfied with the procedure. Should touch-ups be required, they would be performed at this time.
For more information on Specific Lip Filler Instructions - click here.