Will Collagen Injections Make my Lips Look Fake?

Collagen (bovine and human) was a common filler years ago, and was used predominantly for lines, wrinkles, and lip enhancement. Now that HA (hyaluronic acid) fillers such as Restyland, Perlane, Juvederm Ultra, and others exist, they have virtually replaced collagen in most modern plastic surgical and dermatologic offices and medispas. HA fillers are softer, clear (not white), easier to shape in the tissues, and last about twice as long. They cost a bit more than collagen, but not... more

While much of the result is based on the experience and expertise of the physician, we do prefer Juvederm and Restylane for providing natural looking lip augmentation.

Collagen (Bovine and Human) has largely been replaced by longer lasting, softer feeling and safer fillers. The appearance of your lips would depend on the skill of your injector, his/her artistic sense and your idea of what constitutes an attractive lip. While there are exasperatingly preposterous examples of inept over-filled duck lips out there feeding the media insatiable appetite for "bad" cosmetic surgery, there are many more great and therefore unnoticeable results of lip... more

Just remember, for every one person that seems obvious that "has had work done" on her lips, there are probabely 10s other out there that have had their lips augmented but is so natural looking that you can't tell! The trick with lip injections is using the appropriate product and proper technique. As far as products, my favorite one for the lips is Juvederm Ultra for the upper lip and Ultra plus for the lower lip. The key is knowing the less is better. If you think you... more

Lip augmentation is a defining act. When done well, with proper portion to other facial features, it can make the entire face more youthful, sexier and prettier - no matter what age you happen to be. Poorly placed injections with no regard for balance, the various facial units that rely on lip balance or upper to lower lip balance can indeed make your lips look fake. Keep this one fact in mind: Your lips need to fit your face. Never go "big" for the sake of trying to look like... more

I believe that the vast majority of physicians, both dermatologists and plastic surgeons, now use hyaluronic acid fillers ( Restylane, Juvederm) for the lip itself. Back in the day, some of us, including myself, were using collagen de define the border, especially the Cupid Bow area, into something called the Paris Lip. Some physicians ( in those more halcyon days companies only marketed their products to dermatologists and plastic surgeons) began to inject collagen into the lips... more

It really depends on how much is injected and where. This is where the experience of the plastic surgeon comes into play. You will have some swelling at first which will make your lip look bigger than you would like but once the swelling settles it is usually no possible to tell who has not injections and who hasnt. Again that is strictly dependant on how much is injected and where. Good luck.