Plump lips are sexy. As a secondary sex characteristic, lips send signals that register deep in the male brain. Whether men consciously realize it or not, they’re programmed to desire women with succulent lips.
Now that cosmetic surgery has made buttery, pleasing lips available to everyone, they’ve become more popular than ever. |
Great for Rejuvenating the Face
Aging gracefully almost always involves some special attention to the lips. This is because aging thins out the lips, scoring the edges with unattractive vertical lines.
When the sphincter muscle beneath the lips contracts (when you’re chewing, for example), it acts like a purse string. Those vertical lines pleat and gather, making you look old.
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A Peel May Be All You Need
Sometimes a simple chemical peel around the mouth area will restore a smooth surface and youthful contours. However, if there’s an unusual amount of atrophy in the lips (from smoking, bad dietary habits, or genetic factors) more aggressive measures will be required.
Many Options
The good news: women have many options for improving the appearance of their lips.
First Line of Attack – Injections
A variety of volumizing agents are available for lip plumping. Here is the palette:
Restylane
- This lab-manufactured hyaluronic acid (a substance that occurs naturally in skin but becomes depleted with age) restores volume by drawing water to itself. The water plumps up the surface of your lips.
- Effects last about 6 months or so. Very satisfying results.
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Juvederm
- Hyaluronic acid, like Restylane, from a different manufacturer.
- Similar properties, very soft. Can also be used to plump vertical lip lines and nasolabial folds. Lasts about 6 months.
Perlane
- A thicker, more durable form of Restylane. Can fill areas that need more support. Results last for up to 1 year.
An Outpatient Procedure
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Injections are low-impact treatments.
I’ll use a topical anesthetic to make the injections painless. The process is similar to a visit to the dentist.
You’ll go home the same day, and -- depending on how ambitious the scope of your augmentation is -- you can probably even drive yourself.
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Recovery is a few hours to a day or so. Swelling or bruising can last a bit longer, however.
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Second Line of Attack – Fat Grafting
Women who absolutely know they desire fuller lips and are ready for a permanent solution can opt for fat grafting.
Fat Grafting
Here we insert your own fat into your lips to achieve fullness. This method varies from person to person -- sometimes the body will reabsorb the fat.
Recovery is a few hours to a day or so. Swelling or bruising can last a bit longer, however.
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Will I Be Satisfied with My Result?
My patients have been thrilled with their lip augmentations, particularly women with genetically thin lips. They get renewed pleasure from dining out, and they report absolutely loving the way men respond to them after the procedure.
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