Lip Fillers, Lip Implants, or Lip Flip: How Do You Decide?
By Beverly Fischer on April 28, 2021
Lip Injections Back to BlogLooking to learn more about lip augmentation? Watch the recording of our Informational Virtual Event, All About Lips!
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All of us enjoy unique anatomy, and while some of your beautiful features surely put a smile on your face, thin lips are probably not among them. Whether your lips are naturally slimmer than you’d like or you’ve lost some volume with age, you might be interested in some form of lip augmentation to plump your pout.
The good news is, there are several options to consider, including lip fillers, lip injections, and the lip flip procedure. What makes these cosmetic options different and which is right for you? Here’s what you need to know about choosing the right lip enhancement for your needs and preferences.
What Are Lip Fillers?
A lip filler, or dermal filler, could refer to any number of substances used to enhance the size and shape of your natural lips. Often, injectable substances containing collagen or hyaluronic acid are referred to as fillers.
Like other types of medical injections, lip injections involve the use of a substance introduced into the body via a needle. Options like Restylane, Juvederm, and Voluma are all designed to plump lips. All of these utilize substances that occur naturally in the human body.
These substances are introduced through non-surgical, minimally-invasive injections. When safely administered by a trained and experienced professional, like a cosmetic surgeon, injections are placed with pinpoint accuracy to produce the most aesthetically pleasing results.
Hyaluronic acid fillers typically deliver near-instant results and last anywhere from several months to a year or more, which means you’ll need touch-ups to maintain results. Of course, this also gives you the opportunity to try out lip plumping for a limited duration to see if you like it.
However, you can also choose a lip implant, which is a much more permanent option to create fuller lips.
What Are Lip Implants?
A lip implant is a safe, silicone device (similar to a breast implant, but designed for your lips) that’s inserted through a small incision in one or both lips. Small implant strips add volume and shape to otherwise thin or flat lips, with results that last for years. For patients seeking an option that delivers the greatest longevity, it’s hard to argue with the long-term results of implants.
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What is a Lip Flip?
A lip flip involves the injection of products like Dysport and Botox into the muscle just above the upper lip. This will cause the muscle to relax temporarily, and the upper lip to roll slightly outward. The result is an upper lip that looks slightly fuller and more defined, but that’s still completely natural when you talk, smile, and move your mouth.
This also reduces signs of aging like fine lines and wrinkles. When these substances are injected in a specific area (the muscle just above the upper lip), there is an added benefit of muscle relaxation that causes the upper lip to roll outward slightly or flip up.
This subtly amplifies the natural shape of the lip, making it appear a bit fuller without impacting the natural movement of the mouth. Although both Dysport and Botox can be used for a lip flip procedure, Dysport is often preferred because results can be seen in just a couple of days, as opposed to a week or more for Botox. You can reasonably expect results to last a few months.
Which Lip Augmentation is Right for You?
Choosing the lip augmentation procedure that’s right for you will depend on your personal preferences, including the type of results you’re after and how long you want them to last. If you want to give lip augmentation a try without a lengthy time commitment, the lip flip procedure offers subtle enhancement and is a great place to start.
If you decide you like the look and you want more fullness, lip injections deliver greater enhancement and longer-lasting results. Or, you could opt for a more permanent lip augmentation with a silicone implant when you’re sure you’ve found the look you love.
Are you ready to enhance your appearance and boost your confidence with a lip augmentation procedure? Contact Beverly Fischer, MD and the team at The Advanced Center for Plastic Surgery today at 410-308-4700 or online to request a consultation.
Dr. Beverly A. Fischer is passionate about her role as a leading female plastic and cosmetic surgeon in Baltimore, Maryland and beyond. She believes that plastic surgery makes a positive, life-changing difference, whether you’re renewing your body, face, and skin or embarking on an entire gender transition.
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