Lip augmentation is one of the most frequent procedures. The objective
is to improve the look of the lips by means of the injection or placement of a
substance.
It is an outpatient procedure. Different substances can be used, like
the Artecoll, Goretex, Bioformacryl or Acuamid, Evolution or Alloderm. Some of
them are permanent and other are temporal. The choice of one or another depends
on the experience of the surgeon and the preferences of the patient. Silicone
is not advisable to be used in lip augmentation.
In the upper lip the injection is made in the two lateral aspects, at
the level of the line that separates the vermilion (red part of the lip) from
the skin. It is not injected in the central zone of the lip (Cupid’s bow) to
avoid unesthetic overprojection of the lip.
In the lower lip the injection is performed in the central aspect.
Usually two sessions are needed to obtain the wished result and to avoid
outlandish results.
The alternative to the injection is surgery. It consists of advancing
the mucosa of the lip, to give volume by projecting the vermillion. Although
the results are lasting, the disadvantage is that it leaves a scar (although concealed) and the inflammation
is lasting (a month). It is a very unusual procedure given to the simplicity
and good results of the augmentation by means of the injection.
Dr. J. Benito Ruiz, 1998-2000