Lip Enhancement

Nowadays, would-be Angelina Jolies can rejoice. Science has answered their prayers and has shown the way to fuller, better-looking lips.

Lip enhancement or lip augmentation is modern technology’s response to luscious and perfectly kissable lips. Society’s reverence for aesthetics has prompted a lot of people to patronize collagen injections and other temporary means to looking good. The market is even full of numerous products and boasts of knowing efficient massage techniques that will give the best results. However, the challenge continues to have that ideal pout.

The best candidates for lip enhancement are the men and women who want to have more defined or fuller lips. People who possess certain lip abnormalities are also the ones who require this procedure.

There are two major classifications of the procedure, lip enhancement through injections, or those done through grafts. However, the different techniques of lip enhancement are grouped according to the following: temporary enhancements, permanent implantations, fat injections, permanent lip enlargement, and surgical advancement of the vermilion.

Lip enhancement through injections work by filling the patient’s lips with certain substances to give the lips a fuller “look”. The most common substances used are fat and collagen. Collagen injections are sourced out from the collagen in the cow’s skin. These are known to temporarily enhance the lips. Even though the collagens are purified, these can still lead to allergic reactions in some patients. Due to this fact, the surgeon should do a sensitivity test before performing the actual surgery.

Fat injected inside the lips through small needles are sourced out from certain areas of the patient’s body, particularly the thighs or abdomen. Although this technique does not lead to allergic reactions, its results are not permanent, like that of collagen.

Dermalogen is another substance used in lip enhancement. This is derived from the skin of another person, and is made to fill the lips in the same way as collagen and fat. The material from the human donor is screened and further processed to prevent any disease from contaminating the patient. As with collagen and fat injections, the effects of dermalogen are temporary as well.

Lip enhancement by grafting also involves several techniques. One of the most common is the use of AlloDerm. This grafting material is sourced out from a human donor, and undergoes screening and processing to prevent any disease from spreading. The standards of such processes are extensive, with the risk of infection at a mere 2%.

Grafting is done by inserting the material through incisions created at the corners inside the patient’s mouth, under local anesthesia. Since the materials used are mostly absorbed, results are generally temporary, lasting only for about 6 to 12 months.

Fat grafting has been known to produce a more lasting result in about half of the patients who have undergone it. Although it is likely that the body is going to reabsorb the fat used, majority of the patients choose this technique as they are more comfortable with using materials derived from their own bodies.

Most of the techniques of lip enhancement require between 30 and two hours. Some may take longer than this though, depending on the patient’s lip condition. Patients should also be aware of what to expect after the procedure. Most people experience swelling and pain on the lips. Chewing is best avoided and cold compresses may be used to reduce the swelling.

Lip augmentation cost varies according to the technique. Collagen and the other types of injections cost less than the surgical methods. Still, this should not be the only basis for your choice of lip enhancement technique. After all, most of the time, the best comes with a price. So, pucker up and enjoy that pout for as long as it lasts.