Lip Augmentation: Full Facts about Fuller Lips.

Lip augmentation does away with many of the wrinkles that develop, over time, around the mouth. For that reason, this cosmetic procedure can allow the person who has received the lip augmentation to have fuller lips.

In the conventional efforts at lip augmentation, the patient's lips got their added fullness from one of two sources. In some cases, the health professional injected collagen into selected regions around the lip. In other cases, a surgeon implanted fat into specific sites around the lip. That fat had been taken from other regions on the same patient's body.

When first introduced, lip augmentation required repeat treatments. Both the collagen and the fat could be absorbed by the body. Their disappearance led to a vanishing of the patient's fuller lips. Only a second or third injection of collagen, or a second or third implantation of fat, could counter the effects of the natural absorption process.

Today, reconstruction of the lips can be achieved through the use of many different treatments. Some of those treatments call for the injection of a collagen or gel-like solution. Other treatments call for the implantation of a synthetic sheet.

"Dermalogen" contains a Human Tissue Matrix (HTM). That matrix has been secured from human tissue. Once injected into the skin, the matrix provides a structure on which new skin cells can grow. "Cymetra", micronized Alloderm, provides the growing skin cells with a similar structure.

Like "Dermalogen," the product named "Fascia" contains human tissue. The tissue in "Fascia," however comes from the dense white connective tissue. "Fascia can be either implanted in or injected into the area around the lips.

"Radiance" and "Restylane" are the names of other injectable products, products used to achieve lip augmentation. "Radiance" contains calcium hydroxlapatite microspheres; those microspheres are injected in a polysaccharide carrier. Restylane is a crystal clear gel; it contains hyaluronic acid. The makers of Restylane have used molecular biology techniques to produce hyaluronic acid that closely resembles the natural substance.

While micronized Alloderm can be injected into the lips, the original "AlloDerm" was a natural collagen sheet. That sheet, made from donated skin, was implanted under the skin, in order to achieve a lip augmentation. "AlloDerm" has now been liquefied. The liquid version of AlloDerm can be injected under the skin.

"Gore-Tex" and "SoftForm" are synthetic implants. "SoftForm" is not always well-tolerated by the facial skin. Some patients have rejected the foreign body in the "SoftForm" implant.

Placement of an implant, or injection of a liquid, can produce an unnatural lip asymmetry. That is one of the possible side effects of lip augmentation. The migration of an implant is another possible complication.

Some patients develop an allergic reaction to the substance used in the lip augmentation. For such patients there is one other possible treatment - laser rejuvenation. The laser treatment tightens the collagen and elastic tissue in the area around the mouth.

Some patients prefer to start with a more temporary treatment, because then the patient feels free to "try-out" the dreamed-of feature, i.e. the fuller lips.