The Case for Lip Fillers

Are you noticing more and more pouty, plump lips around? You’re not imagining it - patients have been requesting lip augmentation treatments in record numbers. It’s not just here in Denver, either. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), lip procedures have increased 84% since 2020 – a whopping 445% increase among men. These numbers represent millions of Americans who have chosen to give their lips a little something extra. But how are they doing it? Let’s take a look at these popular procedures and what your options might be.

Why Are Lip Fillers so Popular?

When we’re talking first impressions, your mouth and lips can be center stage, maybe only second to your nose. Your lips and your smile are uniquely yours. Plump, soft lips are viewed as sensual and youthful, whereas small and thin lips can give a more serious or stern impression. If you have naturally thin lips, lip augmentation with filler can help you achieve a more aesthetically pleasing balance in fullness between your upper and lower lips. It can also correct asymmetry caused by scarring, for example. Many people desire better definition or to restore diminishing volume and erase emerging fine lines that are obvious (and often early) signs of aging.

Lip augmentation can produce results that range from subtle and natural looking to definitely dramatic – although to be honest, the overfilled, blowfish look is no longer fashionable. Another advantage of using fillers is to “try out” lip enhancement. It’s always possible you won’t like the way your new lips look. The great thing about the temporary nature of lip fillers is that your lips will eventually return to normal and we can even dissolve fillers with hyaluronidase.

Lip Implants vs. Lip Fillers

Originally, soft silicone implants were used for lip augmentation. This surgical procedure is still available, although we do not offer it here at Raval Facial Aesthetics because implants have a high risk of migration and infection. Instead, we customize lip augmentation treatments for each patient using minimally-invasive injectables called dermal fillers.

Dr. Jeffrey Raval and our highly skilled Aesthetic Injectors and Nurse Injectors use either Juvederm, Volbella or Restylane (and Restylane Kyss) for lip filler treatments. These are long-proven products that are safe and effective for use in and near the lips – areas that are particularly delicate and sensitive. In fact, Volbella was the first FDA-approved product specifically created for lips. Because these products are somewhat different, Dr. Raval will recommend which is right for your lips and desired outcome.

Injectable toxins like Botox and Dysport can help reduce and prevent dynamic wrinkles around the mouth, framing your lips with smoother, more youthful looking skin. Botox can also be used to create a “lip flip,” to correct a smile that features your gums more than your pearly whites. Both products can be used to treat wrinkles in other facial areas as well. And dermal fillers also help reduce wrinkles beyond the lips, in soft tissues around the eyes and nose.

Lip Augmentation Results

Botox, Dysport and dermal fillers offer temporary results because they are gradually absorbed by the body. Botox usually lasts 3-4 months, and both Volbella and Restylane last up to a year, though specific longevity depends on the amount injected, your skin type, lifestyle and other individual factors.

The temporary nature of injectables gives you time to decide if you like your new look. If not, you can simply allow your lips to return to normal. If you do love your new look, you can maintain it by getting periodic renewal injections. But you can also make changes, with more or less filler. This keeps your lips looking fuller as you age and it also keeps you in style with current trends and your own personal preferences.

The most important thing to remember about results is that lip enhancement is a serious procedure that should be performed only by trained, experienced medical professionals. Want to learn more about enhancing your lips? It’s so easy to schedule a consultation!