Beauty trends may come and go, but full, voluptuous lips have continuously been symbols of youth. However, as you age, you may notice your lips thinning along with the development of fine lines—or perhaps your lips never had the amount of fullness you prefer. In either case, lip augmentation can help you attain fuller lips that complement your natural beauty.
Dr. Jeffrey Schmidt offers both surgical and non-surgical options for lip augmentation at his Denver plastic surgery practice. Below, we explore some of the ways he can enhance your lips for natural-looking, long-lasting results.
Lip Lift
A popular option that many of Dr. Schmidt’s patients choose is lip lift surgery. The goal of this procedure is to shorten the space between the nose and the upper lip, and to allow more of the pink part of the lip and smile to show.
During this procedure, an incision is made in the natural crease under the base of the nose. Dr. Schmidt then lifts the lip tissues and removes excess skin.
A lip lift is a wonderful option for those seeking a permanent solution to thin lips. Because small incisions are used, recovery is a breeze. Most patients experience some tightness resulting from expected swelling and mild discomfort along the incision, but these temporary symptoms resolve on their own. In many cases, you’ll be able to resume your regular routine after the procedure, but exercise should be avoided for at least a week. You might want to take a week off from work while your symptoms resolve as well. Before you know it, you’ll be able to enjoy your newly shaped lips.
Augmentation with Fat Grafting
Another popular option for lip augmentation is fat transfer. During this procedure, your own fat cells are extracted from your body and processed. Dr. Schmidt uses a state-of-the-art filtration technology called Puregraft for this step. Compared to other methods, Puregraft is known to remove more impurities from the fat, which ensures superior results. After the fat has been processed, it is carefully transferred to the soft tissues of the lips until the ideal volume is achieved. Because this procedure uses your own fat cells, there is no risk of allergic reaction or rejection by the body.
For optimal lip enhancement, Dr. Schmidt can perform this augmentation technique along with lip lift surgery. This combination can produce a dramatic improvement in both lip shape and volume while maintaining a very natural appearance.
Dermal Fillers
For those who don’t feel ready to undergo surgery just yet, dermal fillers, such as Juvéderm® Ultra Plus and Belotero, are an excellent alternative. Dermal fillers are injectables that are usually made from hyaluronic acid, which is a substance that occurs naturally in the body and helps maintain the appropriate water content in the skin and deeper soft tissues. When injected, this gel-like substance attracts more water into the treated area and directly replenishes volume, literally filling in fine lines and wrinkles.
Dr. Schmidt can strategically inject fillers into the lips to increase volume, reduce lines, and create an overall better shape. This procedure can be completed in about 30 minutes, and besides some slight swelling, there is virtually no downtime or recovery required. Bruising is minimized and even eliminated in certain areas where micro-cannulas (think needles but without a sharp tip) are used. This makes the treatment perfect for even the busiest lifestyles. Dermal fillers do require touch-up sessions about every 6 to 12 months, but our patients love the fact that they can achieve their ideal aesthetic without significant downtime.
If you’re ready to get one step closer to that perfect pout, contact Dr. Schmidt today to schedule your personal consultation. He’d be happy to help you explore your full range of options.
