Full, lush lips have traditionally been seen as a symbol of femininity and are considered highly attractive to others, which is why the plumper look tends to remain popular. Aesthetic lip augmentation treatments can be the most effective way of achieving the shape you want, and the two main options offered by cosmetic practices are dermal fillers and BOTOX® lip flip. Our St. Louis-area patients are often unsure as to which of these techniques will be best suited for them. Fillers and neuromodulators like BOTOX® for lip injections work very differently, so the right choice for you depends on a range of variables, including the aesthetic look you’re hoping for.
Fillers are an ideal choice for patients who want to actually change the size of their lips and volumize them in a significant way. The results are more dramatic than what would be possible with a neuromodulator. The Juvederm® collection consists of a range of soft gels that contain hyaluronic acid, a substance that retains large amounts of moisture. These fillers plump lips directly when injected below the surface.
Fillers can add visible volume to restore lips that have thinned due to the age-related loss of collagen and water from the skin, while the more lightweight versions can be used for adding small details to reshape the borders of the lips or filling in lines that form on or around the lips because of skin damage.
If you want to alter your lip shape or reduce wrinkles caused by overactive muscles—as opposed to getting a fuller, more volumized look—BOTOX® might be more suitable. This injectable doesn’t add volume. Instead, it relaxes the muscles that pull on the skin. While it is most commonly used to smooth out forehead lines and crow’s feet, it can also be injected to prevent the muscles above the upper lip from contracting and pulling the lip downward. This allows the upper lip to curl up slightly, creating the illusion of a fuller, more defined lip. You can also use this technique to treat a gummy smile (which reveals too much of the upper gumline) and smoker’s lines.
To learn more about the pros and cons of cosmetic lip enhancement options, reach out to the Laser & Dermatologic Surgery Center. If you would like to request a consultation, call us directly at (314) 878-3839 or fill in a contact form to get started.
