Injecting collagen into the lips is an easy way of enlarging or shaping them. Collagen is commercially available through plastic surgeons, but before having this procedure, you must first pass a collagen allergy test. Its advantages are, it does not require surgery and it is relatively inexpensive. Its disadvantage is that it is not permanent and usually lasts 3-5 months. Fat injection is another similar method. I usually do not recommend it because as the fat gets absorbed the lip can become lumpy and have an irregular surface and appearance. Gortex™ is a synthetic non-dissolvable material that can be inserted at the periphery of the lip giving it more contrast as well as eliminating the lines that run into the lips.

Although it is also available in a form for augmenting the body of the lip, I feel that it is not ideal for this purpose because it feels too hard. Alloderm™ is natural collagen matrix that is harvested from donors. It has the same consistency and feel of the skin. It can be shaped and formed to enhance and supplement the lip in a predictable fashion. It has a very natural feel and keeps its fullness for at least several years. Both Alloderm™ and Gortex™ can be inserted into the lip under local anesthesia. After surgery lips become swollen and numb but this resolves over a period days to weeks. Compared to collagen these two technique are much more permanent but are more costly. For those that are considering lip augmentation I suggest that they first have a more temporary treatment such as collagen injection before opting for a permanent solution. This way they can get a feel for what amount and type of lip augmentation they feel most comfortable with.

In general, I find people who opt for lip enhancement to be very happy with their surgery considering that they have realistic expectations.

During your consultation Dr. Younai will review your treatment options for lip refinement and augmentation, including pros and cons of each procedure, potential risks and complications, recovery course, pre and post operative instructions, and esthetic outcomes. There are also many before-and-after pictures and high resolution images of lip refinement and augmentation available in our photo gallery

Dr. Younai is a Board Certified Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon with experience in all aspects of Facial Cosmetic Surgery including Lip Augmentation with Collagen, Restylane, Perlane, Zyplast, Hylaform, Juvederm, Macrolane, Radiasse, Artefill as well as Lip Implants, Facelift or Rhytidectomy, eyelid surgery or blepharoplasty, neck lift, forehead or brow lift, rhinoplasty, etc. He is skilled and experienced in all techniques of Lip Augmentation and strives to create a face that is harmonious and natural looking

During your consultation he will discuss all details including: if you are a good candidate, surgical options and techniques, potential risks and complications of surgery, pre- and post-operative instructions, recovery course, as well as what to expect after surgery. You will also have an opportunity of seeing and trying on different types of facial implants. At that time Dr. Younai will also show you before-and-after pictures of other patients with Lip augmentation with Collagen, Restylane, Perlane, Zyplast, Hylaform, Juvederm, Macrolane, Radiasse, Artefill as well as Lip Implants.