Lip Augmentation

Lip Augmentation in Staten Island

Are you considering lip enhancement surgery to give you the fuller lips you desire? While some women are happy with their lips, many such as yourself want to have their lips augmented for a number of reasons, the most likely of which being the fine lines which form with age around the mouth, commonly known as smoker's lines.

With a number of lip injection procedures available at our Staten Island, you'll be able to enhance your facial appearances and improve your features thanks to the restored volume and plumpness you've lost with age. Even if you're still young and want to add more volume to your lips because they're too thin, we can help you too.

As a non-surgical method of lip augmentation, lip enhancement procedures have become very popular with a large number of celebrities and Hollywood actresses, and given their relative cost, can be a quick and affordable solution for anyone looking to improve their appearance.

To discover how our qualified surgeons can help you enhance your lips, please call (646) 844-5683 to schedule a free consultation at our New York City plastic surgery center.

When Should You Consider Lip Enhancement?

While the decision to enhance your lips is likely going to be a very personal one, there are a number of common reasons why someone would want to augment their lips.

Thin lips that fade away when you smile, laugh, and talk.
Lips that have lost their fullness due to age.
Lips whose appearance makes you self-conscious.
When you desire to have fuller lips that will help to balance the appearance of your face.

Before & After

How Does the Procedure Work?

Before you're scheduled to have your procedure, you'll speak with one of our highly qualified surgeons to discuss not only which type of procedure you should have, but your medical history or any medical conditions that you may have currently as well, most important of which being whether or not you take an medications which could cause an increase in bleeding during procedure.

In addition, a series of tests will determine how fit you are to go through the surgery procedure, including an allergy test to ensure you won't have an allergic reaction to the chosen method of application.

During your initial consultation, one of the questions asked of you will be whether or not you smoke. Since cigarette smoking affects the lips quite substantially and could even be the cause for your dissatisfaction with the appearance of your lips, you'll need to stop smoking at least six weeks prior to your surgery.

Another important thing that you must remember to do is drink large quantities of water. Since dehydration can have disastrous implications before, during and after the lip enhancement procedure, it's important for you to drink lots of water, especially during the recovery phase.

Which Option Is Best for You?

Depending on your needs and goals, there are several procedures our surgeons can use to help you achieve the look you want, some of which will require allergy testing before they can be administered to ensure you won't suffer from an allergic reaction.

Upper Lip Lift

Since it's a surgical procedure, an upper lip lift is typically performed under the influence of a local anesthesia and most commonly involves removing a strip of skin from the part of the lip close to the nose to shorten it's vertical length. By concealing an incision under the nose where it meets the upper lip, the doctor would remove a part of the skin from the upper lip.

After the excess skin has been removed, the upper lip is lifted by suturing the cut edges together deep underneath the skin. Not only will this allow the skin to provide the right amount of strength for the lip to maintain a proper shape, it will help to ensure there are no visible scars, as is the case with some other procedures.

When completed, the procedure will be permanent so it's very important you choose a specialist whose performed this specific type of procedure many times before you choose the doctor you want to perform it. Since your face is the most visible part of your body, you don't want to end up looking like Kenny Rogers after a brow lift.

If you'd rather not choose a surgical procedure for your lip augmentation, you're in luck because there are a number of options to choose from.

Board Certified Surgeons

Fat Injections

These injections use your own body fat as fillers to increase volume of your lips. During this procedure, fats can be taken from different parts of your body where there is excess fat and used as a natural filler to add plumpness and volume to your lips.

Since the fat taken from the other parts of your body, the chances of developing an allergic reaction are minimal. In many cases, our patients opt to store the fat removed during a liposuction, or other type of fat removal procedure, and use it to add the volume to their lips to create the luscious look they desire.

In many cases, our patients opt to store the fat removed during a liposuction, or other type of fat removal procedure, and use it to add the volume to their lips to create the luscious look they desire. While this procedure isn't nearly as quick to perform as using a dermal filler, it does typically produce better, longer-lasting results.

Silicone Injections

Similar to a fat injection, silicone injections take time to develop, but retain the effects for a longer period of time. If you're looking for a permanent solution, a silicone injection will definitely help achieve that result.

Using microinjections, our surgeons can enhance numerous ares of the lip over a prolonged period of time to ensure the chances of side effects are minimized greatly. Since this option is a permanent one, our surgeons will begin your consultation by studying the shape of your lips before recommending the best steps to move forward based on your needs and desires.

Dermal Filler Injections

In the 1990s, the most common fillers used for the procedure included Autologen, Collagen, Dermalogen, Alloderm, Radiance and Gore-Tex implants. Although they're not used by many today, it's still important to understand what they are, how they're used, and why they're not as effective as the methods used today.

However, these substances aren't typically used in modern plastic surgery procedures thanks to the ability to use fat and silicone injections, as well as the more recent range of dermal fillers you'll find today like Restylane®, Restylane-L, Restylane Silk, Juvederm® Ultra, Juvederm Ultra Plus, Belotero Balance, HylaForm, Elevess, Prevelle Silk and Captique.

Autologen is a dermal filler, derived from the patient's skin that's usually quickly absorbed by the body.
Collagen is derived from bovine hides, and lasts between 30 and 90 days, as it, too, is absorbed by the body.
Dermalogen is derived from the patient's skin to create a concentrated collagen which lasts longer than bovine collagen.
Alloderm is derived from the extracted tissues of cadavers, purified for safety and then placed into the pink part of the lips for more definition.
Radiance is a synthetic compound which can provide results that typically last from 3-5 years.
Gore-Tex implants come in strips and tubes which are surgically implanted by surgeons.

Juvederm Injection

This is the simplest procedure available with many benefits.

Compared to other procedures, it takes the least amount of time to apply as it can be performed in our office in as little as a few minutes the same day as your consultation and is able to provide instant, natural looking results.

When completed, the results will look natural and can last up to eight months and since it's a non-surgical procedure, you won't have to worry about general anaesthesia or the fear of "going under the knife" the same as you would a surgical option.

In addition, this procedure has been tested on many different skin types and proven to be safe. Since the hyaluronic acid in the fillers are human based, the treatment typically does not require allergy testing before it can be applied on your lips.

Most importantly, if you compare Juvederm with other plastic surgery procedures, and even other lip augmentation procedures, you'll find it among the least expensive but most effective methods you can use to improve the appearance of your lips.

How Long Does It Take to Recover?

Once the procedure has been completed, the observation period is generally for a few hours before your surgeon will allow you to leave. Before you leave, your surgeon will provide you with the detailed description of what activities you can indulge during the recovery phase, and what activities you MUST AVOID at any cost.

Given the nature of the surgery, even if you choose a non-surgical option you'll likely need to restrict yourself to a liquid diet for the first few days of the recovery period as your lips will be tender and sore. If you choose the surgical option of an upper lip lift, the recovery period might range between six to eight weeks, although you'll be able to resume your normal activities and diet after the stitches are cut on the eighth or tenth day.

During the recovery phase, you might also notice a few common symptoms or after-effects of the surgery you just had. This is normal, but should not be avoided when it occurs. At the time of release, your surgeon will explain to you what these symptoms might be, and also provide you with detailed instructions about what you must do when they occur.

To ensure a successful result, you'll need to follow these instructions carefully and consult your surgeon if you don't feel right. Since the effects of the same surgery will be different from one person to another, it's important to seek the advice of your attending surgeon if you see or feel something happening that doesn't feel normal.

As with any cosmetic procedure, it's important for you to take your time to assess the different surgeons available so you can be sure you're hiring the best one for your needs and the specialists here at Allure Plastic Surgery make sure every procedure we perform to enhance the lips is done in a natural approach so you can enjoy your enhancement without looking artificial.

How Can I Improve My Small, Thin Lips?

Juvederm is normally used to “plump” up your lips and can last approximately six months. It gives a natural appearance and is easy to go through.

Silicone can also be used. However, you will need multiple sessions to achieve the look you want, because only a little at a time can be injected. After you achieve a nice result with silicone, the result can be permanent. For more information, please arrange a free consultation at our New York City office by calling (646) 844-5683 or completing our online contact form.