Lip Implants - Indications, Procedure, and Side Effects

What Are Lip Implants?

A lip implant is a type of plastic surgery procedure that is used to improve the lip dimensions and provide permanent labial enhancement. Lip implants are, therefore, used for permanent lip augmentation. The lips are plumped up using plastic labial implants. It involves reshaping, recontouring, and enlargement of the patient’s lips to refine their dimensions in relation to their entire face, including their nose, teeth, and other associated structures.

Ideally, the lip surface area should make up approximately 9.6 percent of the lower third of the face. Also, the upper and lower lip ratio should be 1:2. Lip implants are usually permanent, but removal is possible at any time.

Why Do People Prefer Lip Implants?

Lips are always considered a beautiful and unique facial feature that draws special attention. They help in speech and communication. Also, women use makeup to accentuate their lip appearance. Most women demand perfectly symmetrical lips.

There are various minimally invasive and surgical procedures available to provide lip augmentation. Patients can opt for any temporary or permanent procedures as per their requirements. However, a natural appearance is always desirable after any lip enhancement procedure.

The size, shape, and symmetry of the lips change with the normal aging process. The vermilion border of the lip reduces in height, and the skin portion covering the upper lip elongates with age. The lips start losing their volume and contour. Volume is even lost from the Cupid’s bow, and vertical lines start appearing due to skin-associated age changes. Hence, the lips start losing their youthful appearance. The patients, especially women, are keen to improve their lip contour by choosing lip implants.

What Are the Types of Lip Implants?

Lip implants are used to accentuate the lip contour and plump the lips. There are mainly two types of lip implants including:

• Silicone Lip Implants - These implants are placed into the lip with the help of minor surgery.

• Polytetrafluoroethylene Expanded Lip Implants - These are solid lip implants that are permanent in nature. They provide soft tissue lip augmentation. It is a reliable and simple procedure. It is softer and can be easily compressed on the lips. They give a more natural feeling to the lips than the silicone lip implants. Hence, they are preferred by the patients more.

Both the above lip implants are safe to use. However, expanded polytetrafluoroethylene lip implants are considered more favorable in relation to tissue response. These implants show less noticeable changes to the lips than silicone implants.

There are two other types of lip implants apart from these plastic implants. These include:

• Tissue Grafts - Here, a portion of the skin from the lower stomach area is implanted into the lips to provide lip augmentation.

• Fat Grafts - This type of implant utilizes fat from the abdominal area implanted into the labial portion to fill the lips.

These lip implants are usually inserted into the upper and lower lips through minor incisions inside the corners of the mouth. Usually, one incision is made per side to insert the implants.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Lip Implants?

Lip implants can give a good prognosis in patients who have:

• Comparatively symmetrical lips.

• Sufficient lip tissue that can stretch and hide the implants.

• Dislike for frequent lip procedures.

• Prefer a permanent solution for lip enhancement.

• Prefers to save money.

• Does not have diabetes or hypertension.

• Does not experience herpes or cold sores.

• Does not suffer from an active infection.

• Keeps realistic expectations in terms of results.

• Do not smoke.

What Is the Procedure for Lip Implants?

Surgery Preparation:

The patient is asked to quit smoking if they smoke actively. Antiviral medications are prescribed in case of herpes or other active viral infections. The blood glucose levels are checked. Patients are often asked to stop taking painkillers like Aspirin.

Surgical Procedure:

The lip implant procedure is an office procedure. It is performed in the clinic by a skilled plastic surgeon. The area of surgery is sterilized, and a local anesthetic is used to treat the patient's lip numbness. After the anesthesia is given, the doctor usually performs the following steps of surgery.

• Small incisions are made on each corner of the mouth.

• Clamp insertion is done in these incisions, and a tunnel is created.

• After tunnel (pocket) creation, the clamp opens, and the implant can be inserted.

• The clamp is then removed.

• The implant stays inside the lip, and the incision is closed with the help of resorbable sutures.

• The entire procedure usually takes approximately half an hour if there are no complications observed.

Recovery Period:

The recovery period usually takes up to one to three days post-surgery. However, the patient refrained from applying any kind of pressure on the surgical site or even stretching that lip portion. The patient is prevented from opening the mouth too wide for the next seven to fourteen days. The lips should not be compressed, too, as the implants may shift out of place.

It usually takes one to two weeks for tissue scarring to begin. Ice packs and analgesics are advised in case of swelling or pain.

What Are the Side Effects of Lip Implants?

Though lip implants are a safe procedure, there are certain risks associated with them. These include:

• Bleeding at the surgical site.

• Local infection at the surgical site.

• Lidocaine allergy.

• Implant allergy.

• Bruising.

• Stiffening of the lips.

• Asymmetrical lips.

• Lip scarring.

• Redness.

• Itching.

• Severe swelling.

Conclusion:

Lip implants are an excellent option for lip enhancement. They are a good cosmetic surgery option. The surgery is usually performed in the clinic by a professional and experienced surgeon. It saves time and money. It is a permanent option. It is a safe procedure, but certain risks are related to it, as with any other plastic surgery procedure. It is always advisable to consult a skilled doctor before undergoing any procedure. Lip implants help plump and beautify the lips as per the patient’s requirements.