Lip enhancement

Full lips are not only sexy, but surprisingly also give the face a less strict expression than thin and unpronounced lips. There are several ways to fill out lips and as is usually the case, each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages. It is the upper lip which is most frequently enhanced, but it is of course possible to enlarge both or only the lower lip.

What are the options?

The most widely used technique nowadays is clearly injection of application materials based on hyaluronic acid or PEG. This concerns transparent gels, which are injected into the lips. Lip augmentation in this manner is an out-patient procedure, which does not require any type of anaesthesia. The method is quick, very safe and causes only the minimum of pain. It basically poses no risk at all or even unwanted side effects. The location of the injection or minor redness of the lips is usually only visible for 24 hours. The gel is gradually absorbed from the application location, so according to the type of preparation, the effect lasts for 4 – 24 months. Another option is application of your own fat, so-called lipofilling. The operation is performed on an out-patient basis under local anaesthesia and consists in collection of the patient’s own fat (most frequently from the abdomen, but it can be taken from anywhere), its subsequent treatment (centrifugation and filtration) and then injection into the lips. The procedure takes about half an hour. You must count on a swelling of the lips after the operation, which subsides within seven to ten days. In the ideal case, this concerns a procedure with permanent effect, when the fat is no longer absorbed from the lips. Mostly however, slight absorption does take place over time. The possible complications of this method include the creation of hematomas or inflammation could occur in the collection or application location. Sometimes unequal absorption of fat can occur. A method which permanently enhances the lips is movement of the red part. This is also an out-patient operation under local anaesthesia, when the mucous membrane is moved from the inside of the lip towards the outside. Stitches are removed after about a week. Post-operative swelling of the lips subsides within two weeks. A greater enhancing effect can be achieved with performance of a two-stage operation with roughly three months in between. This procedure leaves fine scars on the inner side of the lip which are invisible.

Essential pre-operative examination

None of the procedures described above require pre-operative examination. It is however always necessary to inform the doctor of all medicines which the patient uses. This especially relates to medicines which affect coagulation.

Post-operative care

Post-operative care is not necessary after application of absorbable materials. After lipofilling and movement of the red part of the lip, it is advisable to cool the lips in order to minimise post-operative swelling. It is recommended that patients who have had the red part of their lip moved rinse their mouth out with camomile or mouth wash after each meal until the stitches are removed.