02 Jan 2025 | by Dr. Sean Doherty
The lips, like the skin and tissues everywhere on your body, lose volume with time. Volume loss is one of the fundamental components of facial aging. The skin on your lips is also thin and doesn’t actually have oil glands. This 1-2 combination can make them more susceptible to environmental stressors such as sun, dry air, and pollution, resulting in lips that may not appear as robust as you might like. Adding an appropriate amount of volume with a lip augmentation with dermal fillers procedure can be a fantastic way to improve the shape of your lips and rejuvenate your body and soul. The key word here, however, is “appropriate.” We’ve all seen photos of people with “trout mouth” — huge, overblown lips that make it look as if their mouth is always open. If you are someone who would like a bit more lip volume, but may be scared of not looking like yourself, I am here to tell that a natural-looking lip augmentation is possible.
Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon or Dermatologist
In my opinion, the first step on any aesthetic journey should always be an in-person consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon, such as myself, or dermatologist. Why board-certified? It is one of the best ways to guarantee that you are seeing someone with the experience, education, and training to deliver an exemplary result. During our meeting, I will listen closely to what bothers you about your appearance. Thanks to the internet, you probably know a lot about a lip augmentation procedure. I love the self-education aspect of the web. The downside is that the internet doesn’t know you. And in order to achieve the natural-looking result that we both want, any aesthetic procedure must be the right one for your unique anatomy, desired outcome, and lifestyle.
Achieve Harmony with the Golden Ratio
My job with any procedure, including a lip augmentation, is to create harmony. While some people are born with lips that are not the right size and shape for their face, women tend to lose volume with age, especially in the upper lip. This may cause you to unintentionally “purse” your lips which can make you look angry, even when you’re not. It may also produce a thin, shriveled look to your lips that is not appealing. Some new patients even come in and tell me that they feel like their lips disappear entirely when they smile. By restoring proper proportion to your lips, it can make your entire face look more:
- Youthful
- Beautiful
- Pleasing
This is because the human eye responds positively to what is called the “golden ratio”. This is the ideal mathematical relationship between all of the features of your lower face. Dermal fillers are an easy way to get your face as close to this perfect ratio as possible.
Lip Augmentation with Fillers in Boston
One of the things that makes my lip augmentation with filler results so imperceptible is that I always use a combination of fillers. Different parts of your lip require a different type of dermal filler. For example, the vermillion border, which is the outside line of your lips, needs something with more heft or structure, as does the Cupid’s bow in the center of your upper lip. The pads of your lips, however, require a product that produces more of a plush fullness. Also, I may recommend a neuromodulator, like Botox® or Dysport®, to help soften the pursing component of the lips. So, depending on your needs, I may use a combination of the following:
- Juvéderm Ultra®
- Restylane®
- Restylane Refyne®
- Restylane® KYSSE
- Botox®
- Dysport®
I also believe in starting slow as the lips are an area of the face where, in my expert opinion, less is usually more. To find out more about lip augmentation with dermal fillers or any other surgical or non-surgical procedure with Dr. Sean Doherty at Boston Center for Plastic Surgery, contact us today or call (617) 402-2768 to schedule a consultation.
