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Lip enhancement, gained much popularity
in the '90s. Patients desire fuller, more sensuous lips.
Our lips thin with age and demonstrate less fullness
and projection when viewed both in front and in profile.
It’s important to follow the curves of the lip
for a natural result. The silhouette of the lip and
the V shaped area of the upper lip called "Cupid's bow"
can be enhanced. For a natural appearing lip the body
of the lip should be plumped as well for a fuller yet
more natural shape. Lips should not be over-filled,
with proper techniques they can be made fuller yet still
look natural.
Like other areas of cosmetic surgery, there are a number
of ways to enhance lips. A complete dialogue with Dr.
Pearlman will help determine the best treatment for
you. There are a number of substances that can be injected
into the lips to make them fuller. Dr. Pearlman has
an algorithm ranging from the simplest to the most complex,
the short-term to permanent and least to most expensive. |
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The simplest and most cost effective treatment is with Collagen
or Cosmoderm/Cosmoplast as fillers. Hyaluronic acid substances,
Restylane and Hylaform have become the most popular lip enhancing
substances in our practice due to the simplicity of placement
and greater longevity than Collagen. The patient's own fat
may be used as well. The next level of lip enhancers for longevity
and a natural appearance is Alloderm. For the most permanent
result, ePTFE (Advanta, Gortex) insertion is used.
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Lip Augmentation Photos
Not only does the lip deflate with age, but
it may become longer to the point where it completely covers
the upper teeth. This can be camouflaged by upper lip enhancement.
It can also be shortened by a "lip lift operation". The lip
lift removes a small amount of skin below the nose, in a natural
crease to both lift and reshape the upper lip. For a very
small upper lip, the vermilion (red) border can be advanced
by surgically removing a strip of skin just above the border.
By tapering this excision, an enhanced Cupid's bow shape can
also be restored.
For patients who have lips that are too full,
the lips can be made smaller. The incision is hidden completely
inside the mouth and a strip of lip mucosa (the red skin of
the lip) along with some of the deeper lip tissue is removed.
| Fillers |
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| Collagen: Zyplast, Cosmoplast |
Simplest, shortest acting |
| Hyaluronic Acid: Restylane, Hylaform |
Last 2-3 times longer than collagen |
| Fat |
Longer lasting, but needs to be harvested fresh |
| Inserted Substances |
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| Alloderm |
Lasts 1-2 years or longer |
| ePTFE (Advanta, Gortex) |
Permanent, may be felt under the lips, more complicated
insertion, may extrude |
| Surgical Procedures |
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| Lip lift |
For elongated lips, dental hooding |
| Lip advancement |
Pulls “red” vermillion up, may flatten
lip though |
| Lip lengthening |
For high upper lip with excessive “dental show”
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| Lip reduction |
Reduce size of oversized lips |
Questions? Contact
Dr. Pearlman about Lip Augmentation.
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