Lip Augmentation

Lip augmentation is a cosmetic procedure that can provide fuller, plumper lips, with little downtime. Many types of dermal filler treatments can be used on your lips, but the most common fillers today are products that contain substances similar to hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid is a natural substance found in the body and helps increase the volume of your lips. Hyaluronic acid fillers can improve the appearance of your lips by adding shape, structure, and volume.

Benefits of Lip Augmentation

  • Enhanced Lip Volume: Adds volume and plumpness to the lips, creating a fuller and more defined appearance.
  • Improved Lip Symmetry: Helps correct asymmetry, providing balance.
  • Reduced Fine Lines and Wrinkles: Smooth out fine lines and wrinkles around the lips.
  • Customizable Results: Personalized results due to the ability to control the degree of enhancement for a natural or more dramatic look.
  • Minimally Invasive: Minimally invasive and can be performed relatively quickly with little downtime.
  • Temporary or Long-Lasting Options: Depending on the chosen filler, results can be temporary or longer-lasting, providing flexibility based on individual preferences.

Common Side Effects of Lip Augmentation

  • Swelling: Usually resolving within a few days to a week.
  • Bruising: Bruising at the injection site can vary in severity, from minimal bruising to more noticeable discoloration.
  • Tenderness or Discomfort: Typically resolving shortly after the procedure.
  • Redness: Temporary redness or irritation at the injection sites.
  • Lumpiness or Unevenness: Slight lumpiness or unevenness in the treated area, which often resolves with time or can be corrected by the provider.
  • Itching: Temporary itching at the injection sites.
  • Palpability of Filler: Depending on the type of filler used, patients may be able to feel the presence of the filler in their lips, though this is typically not visible.

What to Expect at Your Lip Augmentation Appointment

During the initial consultation, your dermatology provider will discuss your goals, assess your lips, and help you determine what dermal filler is best. Before the procedure, they may numb your lips for comfort. The injections are strategically administered, offering immediate results with possible initial swelling and bruising. Your provider will share post-treatment care instructions, and a follow-up appointment may be scheduled to assess results, depending on the filler used.

Lip Augmentation Maintenance Recommendations

To keep your lip enhancement looking its best, schedule follow-up appointments as recommended by your dermatology provider and consider touch-ups if needed. Shield your lips from the sun with sunscreen and avoid smoking. Use gentle skincare products, stay hydrated, and limit alcohol to help your lip enhancement last longer and look great.

Lip Augmentation Maintenance Schedule

The effects of lip filler treatments usually last around six months. To keep your lips looking the way you want, you might need additional injections at this point. It's a good idea to schedule a follow-up appointment during this time for any touch-up injections needed to maintain your desired look.

Lip Augmentation FAQs

Yes, the goal is to enhance your natural features. Experienced dermatology providers can achieve natural-looking results by controlling the amount of filler used to match your preferences.

There's usually minimal downtime. You can resume normal activities, but there might be temporary swelling or bruising.

In some cases, lip filler effects can be reversed using an enzyme. It's important to communicate openly with your dermatology provider about your expectations before the procedure.

Both lip fillers and a lip flip are cosmetic procedures that enhance the appearance of the lips, but they achieve different outcomes using distinct methods:

Lip Fillers:

  • Purpose: Lip fillers, often made of hyaluronic acid, are injected into the lips to add volume, shape, and definition. They can address concerns such as thin lips, asymmetry, or the desire for fuller lips.
  • Method: A filler is injected strategically into specific areas of the lips to achieve the desired volume and contour.
  • Results: Lip fillers provide immediate results, and the effects typically last several months, after which the procedure may need to be repeated for maintenance.

Lip Flip:

  • Purpose: A lip flip is a technique that uses BOTOX® to enhance the upper lip's appearance by relaxing the muscles around the mouth.
  • Method: BOTOX® is injected into the muscles above the upper lip to relax them, causing the lip to gently flip outward. It is not intended to add volume but to create the illusion of a slightly fuller and more defined upper lip.
  • Results: The results of a lip flip become noticeable after a few days and can last for a few weeks. Like lip fillers, subsequent treatments may be required to maintain the effect.

In summary, lip fillers add volume and shape to the lips using a filler substance, while a lip flip uses Botox to enhance the upper lip's appearance by relaxing specific muscles. The choice between the two depends on the individual's goals and desired outcomes. Consulting with a qualified healthcare professional can help determine the most suitable option based on your preferences.

The choice of lip filler products may vary, and different brands are available on the market. Some common and well-known hyaluronic acid-based lip fillers include:

Juvederm:

  • Juvederm Ultra XC
  • Juvederm Volbella XC
  • Juvederm Vollure XC

Restylane:

  • Restylane Silk
  • Restylane Lyft
  • Restylane Defyne
  • Restylane Refyne


These products are composed of hyaluronic acid, a naturally occurring substance in the body that adds volume and hydration. The specific product chosen often depends on the patient's aesthetic goals, the expertise of the practitioner, and the characteristics of the filler itself, such as its thickness and longevity. It's essential to consult with your qualified injector or dermatologist to determine the most suitable lip filler for your individual needs.

From our QualDerm Family of Brands: Lip Flip or Lip Filler?

How Dermatology Specialists of Charlotte Can Help

If you are ready to explore your options for lip augmentation treatments, schedule a consultation with a Dermatology Specialists of Charlotte provider today. Our team of experts is here to help you achieve your aesthetic goals, leaving you looking and feeling your best!