Lip injections or permanent solution? Looking for more volume/symmetrical upper lips (Photo)

Dear kayleewest,
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

I would highly recommend getting a formal evaluation with and treatment from a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist and expert in facial sculpting. Technique is the key to a successful lip augmentation with fillers, so you'll want to see someone meticulous. An experienced physician will be able to determine which filler, how much filler, and which technique will give you the subtle result you're looking for. See an expert. Best, Dr. Emer

Lip fillers work well in your case. Also, as you age, the lips can be sculpted with additional fillers. Unfortunately, the lips will change with aging, and I am not aware of any permanent solution that will take aging change into consideration without doing additional procedures.

Unfortunately, your photograph is very limited. However, you may be a candidate for a lip lift. A lip lift does 4 things: shortens the distance between your nose and upper lip, increases the mucosa of the upper lip, increases the incisor show and pulls up the corners. The procedure takes about an hour to perform under local anesthesia and costs $3,000.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Thank you for sharing your question and photograph. Due to the subtle asymmetry present I would advocate for dermal fillers as you can change the appearance with time as your face changes. There isn't a procedure that will achieve improved symmetry to both your upper and lower lip.

It would be best to come in for a consultation so we can explain everything in full detail and determine the best treatment for your desires outcome.

We have various different filler options, some long lasting and some more temporary! It would be best to start with a more temporary option to ensure you like the result before going ahead with the long lasting filler.

We also offer fat transfer to the lips that is performed in theatre, that is longer lasting than fillers.

Hello and thank you for your question! A surgical lip lift can be performed for the upper lip to shorten the length of the upper lip to the nose and to give the lip a fuller appearance. This can be a more permanent solution although we do continue to lose collagen and age over time, so I do recommend making a consult with a provider near you that performs this procedure! . Filler is also a great way to enhance volume and correct asymmetries. Vast majority of fillers are hyaluronic acid based which means it is made up of what our skin is made up of...Therefore, yes it is metabolized by our bodies over time and as a safety net it may be reversed if you were to ever be unhappy with results. Botox in conjunction with lip filler can also drastically help too relax the muscles above the lip and help to correct asymmetry as well when smiling and minimally at rest. I hope this helps!

Lip fillers are excellent and are a much better option for most patients than permanent alternatives.

The only permanent option is really fat transfer or lip implants.

Fat transfer is imprecise and unpredictable in comparison to work done with fillers.

Your picture does not show significant asymmetry of your upper lip that is any more than an average or typical person. Most people have substantially asymmetrical faces. Only 2% of the population have some thing that resembles a symmetrical face.
During embrylogical development dehuman face forms as two separate halves that develop independently of each other. The two halves of the face eventually fuse in the midline. Because the two sides of the face form independently of each other substantial asymmetry is the norm.

The asymmetry is almost always based on facial skeletal structures with soft tissues being highly symmetrical.

Any lip asymmetry is most likely based on skeletal structure and attempting to manipulate asymmetry based on soft tissue intervention typically just creates two asymmetries.

Lip augmentation is an art that not all providers seem to understand or be able to accomplish as well as they should.

You don’t have to look far in public places to see unnatural excessively large upper lips with obvious science of having had cosmetic procedures.

Patients should at least start by working with temporary fillers until they have a good understanding of what lip augmentation can achieve and if this is something desirable before even contemplating permanent treatment options.

Look for properly trained, highly experienced and reputable providers with a long history of quality work.

One of the great advantages of working with temporary fillers is that if patients don’t like the results they will return to baseline within a matter of a few months. It isn’t hard to understand why somebody may not be motivated to go in and have their lips injected on a regular basis but trying to have previously injected fat removed because the results, didn’t turn out the way patients had hoped for it’s a fairly undesirable position to be in.

Best,

Mats Hagstrom MD

Hello! Lips are meant to be dynamic and smooth. If you were to do a more permanent filler the risk of developing nodules (hard lumps) increases. This will be fairly noticeable when smiling. If you were to get a permanent implant and you are unhappy with the results you would have to get it surgically removed. The best option in my opinion is to get non-permanent dermal fillers. These dermal fillers usually last 6-12 months and they can easily be dissolved if you are unhappy with the appearance. They also smooth out with the tissue in the skin to give a more natural appearance. Most non-permanent filler is made up of hyaluronic acid which is a natural component of our skin making it a safer option!

Hi and welcome to our forum!Lip augmentation can be accomplished by a variety of procedures.Temporary lip filling with hyaluronic acid fillers will provide increased lip fullness, lasting for 6-12 months. Hydroxyapatite fillers may cause soft tissue lumps and is not recommended. Permanent fullness can be achieved with fat transfer, tendon grafts, fascial grafts, or implanted silicone rubber prostheses.Visit a board certified plastic surgeon for evaluation, examination, and discussion.Best wishes...