Did you know that the global lip augmentation market size was valued at $2.2 billion in 2019 and is anticipated to grow at a rate of 9.5% between 2020 and 2027?
It’s hard not to envy the plump lips of certain celebrities. If you have been longing for fuller lips, you’ve probably started doing research on how to achieve that. The options can be overwhelming.
You can choose from lip fillers, lip augmentations, lip flips, and more. Whether you’re looking to spice up your look for a special event or freshen up your everyday look, it is important to consider the pros and cons of each procedure to find the right one for you and your health.
We have all the information about the different options to love your lips. Read on to discover our lip guide 101.
What Are Lip Enhancements?
Lip enhancements can either be surgical implants or non-surgical lip injections. Adults who worry about thinning lips and signs of aging can benefit from lip enhancement procedures.
Disposable income and social media influence are two factors driving the growth in popularity of lip enhancements.
Before we delve into the different types of lip augmentations, take a moment to decide how long you wish to have fuller lips, and if you are willing to commit to repeated visits to maintain results. There are options for those who want more permanent results, those who want temporary results, and those who want temporary results that can be more permanent with the right upkeep.
No matter which procedure you choose, make sure you do your research to find a qualified practitioner. This is an important key to achieving safe results!
Lip Fillers
Lip fillers or lip injections are injections to the lips with lip fillers to increase volume, improve shape, and augment lips. These procedures of quick and relatively painless.
This type of lip augmentation is a non-surgical placement of dermal fillers in the lips. There are many kinds of lip fillers. A lot of them comprise hyaluronic acid, which is a naturally occurring molecule.
Patients tend to prefer hyaluronic acid lip fillers. Results are immediate but temporary.
Lip augmentation with hyaluronic acid lip fillers enhances the volume, shape, and structure of your lips. Lip fillers are typically placed in the lower or upper lips. You can choose from a range of dermal fillers including Juvederm, Belotero Balance, or Restylane.
All lip fillers are injected using the same process and provide similar results. Hyaluronic acid fillers allow you to have more control over the final volume of your lips and results can last up to one year.
There are also surgical augmentations that transfer fat to the lips. This is a good route to choose if you are looking for a more permanent option. However, the procedure is much more invasive.
Dermal fillers are the most commonly used procedure for lip augmentation. Lip injections are a good choice if you want natural-looking lips. You will have to come back for repeated injections at least every six months in order to maintain results.
Lip Flips
A lip flip is a non-surgical cosmetic procedure that leaves you will a plumper upper lip. These minimally invasive procedures do not involve dermal fillers. You will be conscious for the entire procedure.
These are typically quick procedures that last between 10 to 20 minutes. Your practitioner injects Botox into your Cupid’s bow, which is at the center of your upper lip, as well as in the corners of your mouth.
The injections work to relax the muscles of your upper lip. From there, the portion of your upper lip that is inside your mouth is flipped outward and upward. You will be left will fuller-looking lips once the Botox fully kicks in after 10 to 14 days.
The muscle relaxation also helps to smooth out any vertical lines around your lips. Lip flips are a great option for those who do not want dermal fillers, want a less gummy smile, or who feel their upper lip goes away when they smile. Lip flips offer an even more natural look than fillers because they only alter your top lip.
Lips flip procedures typically last for eight to 12 weeks, as only small amounts of Botox get injected. This is great if you want to flaunt a plumper pout for a special event. But, if you are looking for something more permanent, lip lifts or dermal lip fillers may be the better option.
Lip Lifts
Lip lifts are facial cosmetic surgeries that also target your upper lip. They work by decreasing the space between the top of the lip and the nose. This space is called the philtrum.
If you increase the pink part of your upper lip, your philtrum will be shortened. This makes your upper lip appear a lot fuller and allows you to show more of your front teeth.
A direct lip lift gives you a more defined border by getting rid of a small strip of skin from just above your upper lip. This pulls your lip upward to give the appearance of a more pronounced, more full upper lip. However, you will be left with a small scar where your upper lip meets the philtrum.
A subnasal bullhorn lip lift is also a common type of lip lift. A hidden incision is made at the base of your nose, which pulls the lip up.
A central lip lift is similar to a sub nasal bullhorn lip lift except it involves making two small incisions at the corner of your mouth. You will have a little bit of skin removed. This is a good option if you have naturally downturned lips.
The Italian lip lift also involves incisions but they are made just below each nostril. It is like the previously mentioned lip lifts, but the incision is just in a different location.
Lip lifts are performed under local anesthesia. They are great for patients who have already tried lip fillers and we left with heavier, longer-looking lips and want to restore their plumpness.
A lip lift might be the right choice for you if you want either more volume or more height to your upper lip.
Lip Implants
A lip implant procedure involves making small incisions at the corners of your mouth. Then, your practitioner creates a tunnel from incision to incision inside your lip to make space for the implant. Lip implants are typically made out of silicone.
They permanently change the shape of your lip tissue through the insertion of a mold that increases your lips’ volume. Results are visible immediately after surgery with lip implants.
Silicone implants last a long time. You could continue to see results for several years, which is way longer than fillers. Implants may be the right choice for you if you want something more permanent.
However, because lip implants require surgery, all the risks of having surgery come along with them. There will be risks for infection or bleeding, and you are typically put under general anesthesia. Because of this, they may not be the best option for every patient.
If you don’t do well with pain or surgeries, lip fillers may be the better option for you. If you are looking for the highest amount of symmetry and lip fullness and you are okay with surgeries, lip implants may be exactly what you are looking for.
After lip implant surgery, you will be able to return to work, but your practitioner will advise you to wait seven to 10 days before resuming more strenuous activities. You may experience mild pain or swelling for one to three days after surgery.
Choose Your Lip Augmentation Today
Plump lips are all the rage right now. Emphasis on lip size appears to be a trend that is here to stay. There are a lot of options to choose from…lip filler, lip augmentation, lip flip, oh my!
The decision can seem confusing if you are just starting out on your journey toward a plumper pout. Hopefully, our guide has been useful in determining which type of lip augmentation will best fit your needs or desires.
While the procedures may differ, all aim to give you similar results. All will leave you with plumper lips for a more youthful appearance. It is now time to decide which option is best for you!
Schedule a professional consultation with the expert staff at Mind Body Skin Med Spa. They can offer solutions to looking younger that go beyond your lips!