Non-Surgical Lip Augmentation

The non-surgical Lip augmentation is a cosmetic procedure designed to create fuller, smoother lips, and can also reduce fine lines around the mouth. Lip augmentation can be accomplished with the use of injectable fillers and perhaps the use of botulinum toxin (Botox®). This is not only an appearance-enhancing procedure, but also an anti-aging procedure, since thinner lips are one of the most noticeable and universal signs of aging.

Who Is a Good Candidate?

The best candidates for non-surgical lip augmentation are non-smokers who are in generally good health and who have a positive outlook and realistic expectations about the procedure’s outcome. Those with very thin lips, fine lines around the mouth, or asymmetry of the lips can benefit from the non-surgical lip augmentation.

Dr. Bolourian and Dr. Eslami use a variety of injectables for non-surgical lip augmentation. JUVÉDERM® VOLBELLA™ XC, JUVÉDERM® Ultra XC and Restylane KYSSE are amongst the most common injectables used at our practice to achieve natural looking results. Dr. Bolourian and Dr. Eslami use Restylane SILK mainly for peri-oral wrinkles.

On your consultation, our doctors will discuss all your options so you can make an educated decision about choosing the right procedure for your younger and rejuvenated lips.

Botox® Cosmetic: Use of Botulinum toxin (Botox®) can promote a lift at the corners of the mouth and correct wrinkles around the lip which complements injectable fillers in rejuvenating the lips.

Which filler is best for the Lips?

At our practice, we primarily use Hyaluronic acid products for lip augmentation and enhancement. We believe the safest and the most natural looking fillers for lip enhancement are products that naturally mold into the lips and promote collagen production for longer lasting, beautiful results. VOLBELLA™ XC is a great product for a person that desires a moderate amount of augmentation, it is great for peri-oral wrinkles and used frequently to provide a lip flip by injecting it into the vermillion (demarcation between the lip and the skin of the lip) but does not generally plump the lips. JUVÉDERM® Ultra XC gives more volume to the lips and due to its higher G-prime, it has the ability to provide a plump appearance to the lips. We love KYSSE! It has the ability to lift and volumize the lip and the color of the lips remain natural.

What is the down time after lip fillers?

Bruising and swelling, although they can occur, are infrequent when lip fillers are performed by an experienced practitioner. Avoiding certain foods, vitamins and certain medications can help reduce the amount of bruising and swelling.

How is the procedure performed at our Practice?

After a detailed analysis of your lips and your entire face, photographs are taken from different angles. A thorough discussion will be provided about the filler or fillers used for your particular needs. We then apply topical anesthesia to the lips. A very small sterile cannula is used to introduce the filler product into the lips in a precise non-painful method. We use a very small amount of filler products to achieve the maximum, long lasting results.

What is the cost of the Lip Fillers?

Depending on the number and the volume of the fillers, the price will vary from somewhere in the mid-$450- $750 per syringe.

What if I don’t like the results?

First and foremost, our doctors will spend time understanding your desires and will try to provide realistic expectations. We always Ian for natural results and not the famous “Overdone lips”. So, we are confident that at the completion of your treatment, you will most likely be thrilled with the results. If you are not satisfied, or an unforeseen complication occur, the products we use for the lips are dissolved with an antidote. Once the antidote is introduced to the lips, in only few hours the filler products are dissolved with no residual side effects.

What are the short term and long term complications of Lip fillers? Short term complications may include bruising and swelling of the lips and peri-oral region. Application of ice and limited activity for a few days is typically sufficient to alleviate the short term complication.

What about migration of injectable fillers above and below the lips?

We have found in people that have used large amounts of lip filler products, fillers that are hydrophilic, meaning they attract a lot of water and cause a significant initial swelling, or have used non-FDA approved fillers, migration can become a problem. Dr. Bolourian advises to seek practitioners that use only FDA approved products. Migrated fillers can produce the “Monkey lips” appearance.  That is not to be confused with the “Duck lips” we see in “overdone lips”. We advise our patients to dissolve lip fillers if there is any evidence of migration of the fillers before another lip filler session. Sometimes the signs of filler migration can go undetected by the patient or even the practitioners.