American Society of Plastic Surgeons
For Medical Professionals
 

How to achieve the perfect pout


What do Jennifer Lawrence, Scarlett Johansson, Jennifer Garner, and Kylie Jenner all have in common? The perfectly plump sexy pout that women of all ages are seeking. Lip augmentation procedures are currently a highly publicized and trending treatment thanks to these celebrities. Kylie Jenner's lips alone overtook social media with her #KylieJennerChallenge, allowing us to now be more comfortable talking about these procedures. In the age of the selfie and duck faces, we are increasingly much more aware of the appearance of our lips. This has, in all senses of the phrase, created a perfect storm. It is no wonder that a record number are seeking lip enhancement procedures. Popularity has grown amongst men as well who, most commonly, request Brad Pitt's full lips. In 2015, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons claimed the number of lip implants grew by double-digits with a total of 27,449 procedures performed, an astonishing one every 20 minutes. This is over a 40% increase since 2000 and the demand is continuing to grow.

What traditionally consisted of patients with lip deficiencies from aging, ablative procedures or congenital abnormalities, now consists of a much younger age group that desire full, well-defined lips with enhanced volume and shape. While there are multiple permanent and nonpermanent options for lip augmentation, the most commonly performed and requested today are synthetic dermal fillers, the most popular of which are the hyaluronic acid (HA)-based fillers. HA is typically present in body tissues, such as the skin and cartilage and is, therefore, relatively safe when used appropriately by a trained healthcare professional. These fillers include, but are not limited to, Restylane, Juvederm Ultra, Ultra Plus, Voluma, Prevalle Silk, Perlane, and Belotero. Restylane Silk and Juvederm Ultra XC, however, are currently the only two fillers approved by the FDA for lip enhancement. Others can be used off-label per your healthcare professional. These fillers generally last 6 months to one year, therefore, touch-ups will be required to maintain the desired appearance. Properties of fillers such as stiffness and viscosity, and surgeon preference are taken into consideration when choosing a filler. The benefits of the HA fillers are they allow improved control and gradual filling of the lips. Contour irregularities or bumps from the material can be massaged out and even reversed with hyaluronidase, a medication that when injected dissolves the gel. It is important to remember that this is not a fool proof procedure. Risks include bruising, swelling, bleeding, and can lead to further complications if injected inadvertently into a nearby blood vessel.

When is lip augmentation the right choice for you? If you desire a fuller lip or feel self-conscious about the appearance of your lips, you should seek out a consultation. There are many available options, so it is important to do your homework. Obtain a consultation by a board-certified Plastic Surgeon who is trained in the safe use of these fillers, be open and honest about your desired lip, and you will be well on your way to that perfectly full and plump pout.

For more information, including a list of ASPS plastic surgeons in your community, please use our Find a Plastic Surgeon tool.


The views expressed in this blog are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

Logo

Surgeons In Your Area

Shlomo Widder Headshot

Shlomo Widder, MD

8230 Leesburg Pike Suite 630
Vienna, VA 22182-2641

(703) 506-0300

Amir Ghaznavi Headshot

Amir Ghaznavi, MD

13454 Sunrise Valley Dr STE 130
Herndon, VA 20171

(703) 239-3190

Alex Mesbahi Headshot

Alex Mesbahi, MD

7601 Lewinsville Road Suite 400
McLean, VA 22102

(703) 287-8277

Michael Brown Headshot

Michael Brown, MD

45155 Research Place Suite 125
Ashburn, VA 20147

(703) 726-1175

Timothy Mountcastle Headshot

Timothy Mountcastle, MD

44095 Pipeline Plaza Suite 430
Ashburn, VA 20147

(703) 858-3208

Munique Maia Headshot

Munique Maia, MD

8100 Boone Boulevard, Suite 730
Tysons Corner, VA 22182

(703) 574-4500

Wendy Gottlieb Headshot

Wendy Gottlieb, MD

1800 Town Center Drive Suite 418
Reston, VA 20190

(703) 668-9499

George Weston Headshot

George Weston, MD

1825 Samuel Morse Drive
Reston, VA 20190-5317

(703) 893-6168

Logo

Patient Care Center