Ideals of beauty vary with emerging fashion trends, influence of the media and the ethnicity of the individual. Over the past decades fuller lips have been considered a desirable trait. Even if we factor out certain extremes the presence of full pouting lips is overwhelming in movie stars and fashion models of the non anorexic variety. While some of it is genetic, others have had significant help to achieve this look.
Lip augmentation to achieve a fuller look and more “pouting” is thus a common request. The upper lip usually dominates the discussion. However it needs to be taken into account that in an ideal canon of beauty the upper and lower lips have to remain in balance with respect to fullness, usually keeping a 1:1.6 ratio with the lower lip being fuller than the upper lip.
Depending on the type of material used for augmentation the effects can be intermediate, long lasting or permanent. It is my practice to avoid permanent materials in clients virgin to this procedure and also stage the augmentation depending on how much fullness is desired and how well a material is tolerated.
Preferred materials are synthetic fillers, fat grafting and tissues excised during face lifts or other facial cosmetic procedures.
Fillers and fat grafting are performed as an outpatient procedure under local and regional anesthesia, similar to dental procedures. The effect is immediate and there is no social or professional downtime involved, unless the client makes a living with contact sports or similar. Exercise is avoided for 2-3 days and massage of the lips is often advised immediately after the procedure if fillers are used.
Related posts:
