Lip augmentation is a procedure we perform to enhance the size and shape of a person’s lips, while reducing wrinkles around the mouth. Using injectable fillers or a special implant, Dr. Heir can increase the volume of your lips to create a pouty appearance.
If you’re considering lip enhancement, you should know a few things about the anatomy of your lips. Lips consist of a combination of skin and mucosa. The border between the skin and mucosa is called the vermillion border. The arches of your upper lip beneath your nose are called the “Cupid’s bow.” When performing a lip augmentation procedure, your surgeon must take steps to preserve the natural borders of the vermillion border while molding and enhancing the natural arches of the Cupid’s bow.
Indications for Lip Augmentation in Sacramento
Lip augmentation is part enhancement and part correction of age-related imperfections. If you have thin lips by nature, this procedure can enhance your appearance. If your lips and mouth have begun to show imperfections such as the following, the procedure may be effective for anti-aging purposes:
- Marionette lines
- Smoker’s lines
- Laugh lines
- Oral commisures
If you are prone to cold sores, Dr. Heir may advise you to forego this procedure or he may recommend an antiviral medication beforehand. Those with dental abscesses or those who are prone to skin eruptions near the lips may not be good candidates.
How It Works
A variety of methods can be utilized for lip augmentation in Sacramento. Dr. Heir may recommend an injectable filler such as Restylane, Juvederm, Collagen, or Fat, or he may recommend another type of implant.
When injectable filler is used, the doctor will perform injections along the natural tract of the vermillion border, treating the upper lip, lower lip and corners of the mouth. The injected material is briefly massaged to ensure a smooth result.
What to Expect After Lip Augmentation
You will probably be advised to limit movement of the lips during the hours that follow your procedure. If a dental block was used to control discomfort, the effects may last a few hours and hinder your activities. Swelling, bruising and mild discomfort can occur, but these effects should be fully resolved in two or three days.
For more information about lip augmentation, contact the office of Sacramento cosmetic surgeon Dr. Jagdev Heir to schedule a consultation in Sacramento or Yuba City.
