Types of Lip Procedures 

  • LIP ENHANCEMENT

  • LIP AUGMENTATION

  • LIP BALANCING

  • SMOKER LINES

  • LIP TEXTURE / HYDRATION

Lip Augmentation aka Lip Enhancement, Lip Filler, Lip Injections...ect all of the above are appropriate names.  Ultimately the procedure entails using hyaluronic acid dermal filler (Juvederm, Restylane, Silk, Volbella, or others) to add volume or hydration to the lips to increase size, improve texture, or define the boarder.  The different products are chosen based on your desired result.  You should explain in detail what you are wanting to accomplish with your provider during your consultation to ensure that they are able to provide your desired outcome. 

Danielle Smith NP preforms lip injections to increase the size of the lip for patients whose lips have lost volume with age, or who are unhappy with the natural appearance of their lips. Lip Augmentations are preformed not only to enhance the size of your lips, but they can also be done to “re-shape” your lips.  Danielle Smith NP specializes in enhancing through subtleties.  By “re-shaping” your lips with minimal augmentation you can achieve a very natural and beautiful smile.   There are several ways to augment your lips, including; injectable fillers, autologous grafts or synthetic implants.  For patients seeking a more conservative and natural option, injectable filler is the safest and most controlled method of achieving fuller, defined lips.   

You can schedule an appointment at botoxdriggs for your lip augmentation.  Lip augmentation requires little to no down time with very little discomfort.  With realistic expectations and good overall health, most patients are satisfied with the results of this procedure.  Results are seen immediately and will last for around 7 months to a year.   

LIP ENHANCEMENT

Goal: Restore & Contour. Lip Enhancement is a procedure similar to a Lip Augmentation, using dermal filler to enhance the appearance of your lips. In this procedure we not only enhance the shape of the lips, but we will also address lip wrinkles, downturning corners of the mouth, nasolabial folds, and marionette lines. This procedure can require 1 to 3 syringes of hyaluronic acid filler depending on your individual needs. 

The perfect candidate for this procedure is an individual who is looking to provide a refreshed and youthful appearance to the lips and mouth area.  By using an approach that addresses not only volume loss in the lips, we can address the other changes of aging seen in the lower face and around the mouth.  

LIP AUGMENTATION

Goal: Add Volume! This procedure will provide you with a fuller more volumized lip. The shape of the lip can be enhanced but the main objective is to increase the volume of lips. Generally only 1 syringe of hyaluronic acid filler is needed to optimal results. 

Key things to keep in mind if you are considering a Lip Augmentation procedure... You want to maintain an aesthetic ratio between the top lip and the bottom lip.  Naturally our top lip is slightly smaller than our bottom lip.  To ensure a natural looking Lip Augmentation, you want to ensure this ratio is maintained.  

What all is entailed?  The procedure itself if considered "minimally invasive" and takes about 15 minutes.  After your lips are cleaned, the provider will inject a dermal filler, such as Juvederm or Restylane into your lips.  There will be several different injection points and the lips may be slightly swollen after.  

What all is entailed?  The procedure itself if considered "minimally invasive" and takes about 15 minutes.  After your lips are cleaned, the provider will inject a dermal filler, such as Juvederm or Restylane into your lips.  There will be several different injection points and the lips may be slightly swollen after.  

LIP BALANCING

Goal: Balance & Symetry. Lip Balancing is a procedure similar to Lip Augmentation, but rather than focusing on adding volume we are focusing on balancing out the shape of your lip to provide symmetry. 

This procedure is designed to correct existing asymmetry in your lip shape and balance.  Issues causing asymmetry can include scar tissue, previous lip filler, natural asymmetry and others.  Lip Balancing requires a skilled eye and hand. In general this procedure requires 1 syringe of  hyaluronic acid filler injected over 1 to 2 visits for optimal results.

Lips and Eyes are center folds to the perception of beauty.  If someone has asymmetric lips it becomes distracting and seen as a flaw in the topography of someones face.  Lip Balancing works to correct those asymmetries to create an aesthetically pleasing balance to the shape of someones lips.  

Reasons for asymmetry can include scar tissue from an accident or previous oral surgery, previous lip injections that resulted in asymmetry, or even free silicone that was previously injected.  Some patients are naturally born with slight asymmetries as well.  All of these can be corrected with skill and precision in placement of dermal fillers to re-shape the appearance of your lips.  I will generally use 1 syringe of filler to accomplish this, but I will do so over two visits to ensure any fine-tuning can be accomplished to provide the most optimal results. 

LIP WRINKLES/ SMOKER LINES

Goal: Soften & Smooth Fine Lines.  Lip wrinkles also known as smoker lines can be very difficult to treat.  Some providers will recommend Botox in this area.  I personally find that is a short lived temporary solution.  My approach involves placing a very very thin layer of filler perpendicular to the vertical lines.  This thin layer is then fanned up toward the nose to provide a very natural continuation of subtle volume seamlessly throughout the area.  By providing a slight amount of perpendicular volume, it becomes much harder for the wrinkles to fold into their previous creases therefore preventing future wrinkles while correcting the existing problem. 

Another common area of aging around the mouth that greatly affects the appearance of the lips is the Oral Comissures.  This term refers to the corners of the mouth that will eventually begin to turn downward as we age.  By correcting this area as the same time we are enhancing lips, we can literally "Turn your frown upside down!" 

LIP TEXTURE / REHYDRATION

Goal: Hydrate & Soften Texture.  Restylane Silk is a unique filler in that it is very hydrophilic.  This means that the molecule likes water.  It actually pulls it into the lip tissue after injection.  The downside is, there is a lot of swelling initially, but it resolves quickly and leaves the lips with a restored hydration.  The results of the improved tissue quality can last well over 1 year, however the product is has been studied for its volumizing effect which lasts about 6 months. Another reason why I favor Restylane Silk for a slight enhancement, is that the product itself is not very volumizing, making it a perfect "restorer" or "refresher" option.   A very similar product to Restylane Silk (referred to as "Skin Booster")  is being studied and utilized in Europe with microneedeling aka micro channeling to deliver the hyaluronic acid via needle to a superficial layer of the skin, designed to restore hydration to the face, chest and hands.  This procedure is referred to as "Skin Boosters". 

WHO IS A GOOD CANDIDATE?

Nearly anyone is a candidate for this procedure.  The most common complaint patients undergoing this procedure have is they want just a slightly bigger upper lip and would prefer more definition to their lips overall. 

TREATMENT OPTIONS

The best filler choice for this procedure is a Hyaluronic acid filler.  At the time of your consultation Danielle Smith NP will discuss your expectations with you and will decide on the best filler to meet your needs.  

PRE PROCEDURE INSTRUCTION

If you are considering this procedure it can be completed at the time of your consultation.  To ensure you are ready for your appointment with Bedside Botox Cosmetic, make sure you have not consumed any Aspirin containing products prior to the procedure.  If you have to take Aspirin due to a medical condition do not stop taking it until you speak with Danielle Smith NP-C first.  Avoid drinking alcohol, especially red wine, 1 week prior to your procedure to help minimize any bruising.  You should bring a list of your current medications to your appointment and be prepared to provide a brief overview of your past medical history. 

If you have a specific request regarding your lip augmentation, try to bring copies of any pictures of what you desire.  At the time of your appointment Danielle will discuss your treatment options with you to best accomplish your desired results while maintaining an overall aesthetic facial balance.  

POST PROCEDURE INSTRUCTIONS

Immediately after the procedure you can expect to have some mild tenderness and swelling to your lips.  Many patients often enjoy this puckered looked.  The tenderness and swelling will subside in a few days.  Patients who are considered easy bruisers or who take blood thinners may experience some mild bruising, these too will resolve on their own in a few days.  To speed up your recovery you can take Arnica supplements right before and for a few days after the surgery.  Danielle Smith NP has done extensive research into the affects of Arnica on the reduction of post procedure bruising, swelling, and pain and offers supplements for purchase on site if you forget to pick some up.  Danielle Smith NP-C recommends that you avoid touching your lips or manipulating them as much as possible.  Sorry, no extensive make out sessions tonight.  Avoid strenuous exercise for the rest of the day after the procedure.  You can resume your normal activities the next day, but to ensure the best results continue to avoid excessive manipulation of your lips for about a week.  It is okay to use chap sticks and lipsticks, but try not to be too aggressive in your application. 

Hylauronic Acid is a hydrophilic substance and will pull water into it, considering this it is important to keep your lips moisturized after the procedure with chap stick.  You will also notice that when you eat excessively salty foods your lips will look a little plumper, this is also related to the hydrophilic properties of the hyaluronic acid.   

FOLLOW UP EXPECTATIONS

Danielle Smith NP has her patients follow up in 2 weeks to evaluate your results and ensure that you are completely satisfied with the procedure.  Should touch ups be required they would be preformed at this time.