Lip Augmentation
Alloderm
The most popular implant for lip enhancement is Alloderm. It is a cosmetic procedure that uses a unique biomedical material to greatly enhance the volume and appearance of the lips. A thin layer of skin tissue is taken from a human cadaver and medically manipulated so that all that remains is the collagen/protein framework. There is no risk of contracting any type of disease or other health problem from this tissue and a patient's body will not reject the tissue. Alloderm lip augmentation is a technique that is usually performed on an outpatient basis under a general or local anesthesia. There is no allergy testing required, there is moderate local bruising and swelling lasting two weeks, and the results last 2-5 years.
Fillers - Restylane®, Juvéderm™, Hylaform™, Captique™, Perlane®, Puragen™
Many of the fillers (Restylane®, Juvéderm™, Hylaform™, Captique™, Perlane®, Puragen™) can be used for lip enhancement. This simple office procedure can be performed with no incisions. The filler agents provide a nice immediate result with minimal bruising or discomfort. They do tend to resorb over 8 - 12 months but can be repeated as often as desired.
See our Before and After photos of this procedure!
Synthetic implants - Gore-Tex, Advanta, SoftForm, UltraSoft
Gore-Tex, Advanta, SoftForm, and UltraSoft are synthetic implants that are made from expanded polytetrafluoro-ethylene (ePTFE) which is a cross between cloth and rubber and is used to make high-quality raincoats and other breathable, water-resistant outdoor gear. Because these implants are foreign substances they have a higher rate of infection and rejection by the body. Patients also may feel that their lips feel less soft or somewhat artificial. These implants are permanent and therefore do not require repeat procedures in the future.