The size and shape of your lips can now be enhanced or corrected with procedures known as lip augmentation. This procedure typically requires injection(s) of a dermal hyaluronic acid filler such as Restylane® or Juvederm®. Lip enhancement is a very popular procedure and is highly satisfying for patients. With advancement in technique and product “duck ips” are mostly a thing of the past. Our team takes a more subtle natural, less is more approach.
Lip augmentation in Seattle & Issaquah can provide full, more balanced lips, along with fewer wrinkles around the mouth area. Cosmetic Surgery & Dermatology of Issaquah, Dr. Victor Michalak provides lip augmentation procedures using the latest FDA approved injectable products.
Products for Lip Enhancement
- Restylane is derived from a non-animal hyaluronic acid, a substance that provides longer lasting results than any of the collagen implant materials. In some cases, twice the longevity of correction may be achieved. The Restylane brand of products include Restylane Silk, FDA approved specifically for lip augmentation.
- Juvederm injectable gel may be the most popular product for lip enhancement. Made with a smooth hyaluronic acid gel, Juvederm can increase volume in the lips for several months. Like Restylane, Juvederm Volbella is the newest generation of products targeting the lip area. Volbella is light and provides a natural more subtle look.
Who Should Consider Lip Augmentation in Seattle & Issaquah?
Lip augmentation is divided into two categories. Correction and enhancement. Correction is when the natural volume of your lips diminish. Thinning varies from person to person but around your 30’s to early 40’s. Augmentation is creating fuller lips for cosmetic reasons. If you believe that your lips are thin, flat or small, you may be a good candidate.
For patients with lines above the lip or a downturned mouth, dermal filler can be an additional benefit. This can be done with augmentation or alone. Often referred to as “smokers lines”, you don’t have to smoke for lines above the lip to develop as we age. These lines can be frustrating for patients and make you look older than you are.
The Treatment: How Lip Augmentation Works
Lip augmentation can be tailored to meet your cosmetic goals, whether you want to simply add volume or reduce lines and wrinkles. Two parts of the lip can be injected to add volume: the white roll, where your lip meets the skin beneath the nose, and the red line, where the dry and wet parts of your lips meet. The doctor must take extra care to preserve a natural appearance in the lips, so injections must be placed evenly in specific locations along the lip borders.
For Lipstick Bleed Lines / Lip Wrinkles
For patients with deeper lines around the mouth additional treatment may be necessary to achieve a smooth appearance. Combining a laser like Fraxel or Total FX can add much more improvement. Microneedling is another option, pairing well with dermal filler.
After Your Lip Augmentation Procedure
When the lip injections are finished, the doctor will often massage the area briefly to ensure a smooth result. For comfort we offer topical numbing or a dental block. Possible side effects include bruising, swelling and mild discomfort that can last a few days. Not all patients bruise, it’s normal to have some bruise. For patients that develop deeper bruising we offer VBeam laser to help resolve bruising much quicker.
To learn more about lip augmentation in Issaquah, contact the cosmetic dermatology office of Dr. Victor R. Michalak.
Our service are includes Issaquah, Seattle, Bellevue, Redmond, Kirkland, Sammamish, Renton, Kent, Mercer Island, Tacoma, Maple Valley, Washington.