Am I a good candidate for filler and would it only be needed in my top lip? What kind of technique should be used?

Dear eliza bethany,
I perform a lot of lip injections with fillers such as juvederm and it works great. Many times I need to put more in one side than the other to attempt to even out the vermillion border (The red line of the lip). This helps provide more symmetry at times.For patients looking for a more long lasting result, I recommend fat grafting. That is, using your own bodies fat to make your lips naturally look more shapely. The bonus is that the results last many many years.
In general, I avoid using permanent prosthesis because I find that the lips are such dynamic and sensitive structures, the end result is not natural.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

From your photos it appears you are a good candidate for lip fillers. You can start conservatively and build to get the results you want. Keep in mind that it is common for lips to swell after injection, so you will want to give yourself a full two weeks before analyzing the final result.

I would start with filler first, to fill the upper lip. Though, filler does not always help fix a "disappearing smile", the filler can then be amplified by a "Botox Lip Flip".

Thanks for your question! In addition to adding volume, lip fillers can help even out asymmetry. It’s also possible to create the appearance of fuller lips with a Botox lip flip, even though Botox doesn’t add volume. For this treatment, Botox is injected into the muscles that surround the mouth. This relaxes the muscles enough that the top lip slightly flips outward, creating the illusion of a fuller lip. It’s best to have a consultation with your physician to determine which treatment will meet your specific aesthetic concerns and goals. Good luck!

Most people have a lower lip that’s larger than their upper lip.

To get natural results the same ratio of lower lip being larger than the upper lip should be maintained and both lower and upper lip should be treated.

There’s no particular technique but skill varies substantially among different providers as of us the overall experience.

Worst case scenario is a bloody painful procedure that leaves you bruised with unnatural outcomes.

Best case scenario is a painless clean procedure that leaves perfect results lasting for six months or longer.

As a patient what you need is the most experienced and talented provider.

Finding who is on top of their game is easier said than done but typically starts by having a few consultations.

Check your reviews on websites for local providers.

Botox and fillers are often done by nurses using a doctors license.

The rules for this vary from state to state.

The key is to find someone who is obviously appropriately trained but more so has the skill and experience to deliver consistent quality results.

People who have small upper lips should have very conservative treatments or their appearance will not look natural.

Treating only the upper lip is usually a dead giveaway for bad work at least in my opinion.

We’ve all seen bad lip fillers and walking around any urban area you can see them on a daily basis.

Quality work doesn’t stand out and looks natural and appropriate.

There are many brands to choose from. My preferred filler for long lasting results is Voluma.

Best,

Mats Hagstrom MD