Lip augmentation is sought out by patients for various reasons. The most common being that a flat thin lip gives them a very stern look. By adding volume to the lips, it makes the face look softer, friendlier and of course more appealing.
In some individuals, the lips are very thin, but ageing can thin them out too. The flattening of the lips produces an effect of lengthening of the distance from the base of the nose to the lip border i.e the lengthening of the upper lip. Also, the sensuous pout is missing and seems that the lip is turned inwards. Lip enhancement in such cases increases the lip volume to give better definition to the lip contour and thereby enhancing their overall appeal and sensuousness. Sometimes a Lip Lift procedure can be combined to reduce the vertical length of the lip with a scar just at the base of the nose. Recently suture lifts have been tried to prevent scarring which can be a problem with our Indian skin. Options For Augmentation: - Fillers- Temporary / Permanent
- Fat Grafting
- Dermal Grafting
Most commonly temporary filler's -”Cross Linked Hyaluronic acid derivatives” like Restylane and Revanesse or Esthelis are used. The temporary filler last for a specific time period (usually 5-6 months)and are absorbed in the body over a period of time. They require re injections at a later date.
Lip Augmentation by fillers is usually done as an out patient procedure and patient can go back the same time- Lunch Time procedure. But, its often a misnomer because for the first one or two days there is going to be swelling and bruising. So the patient cannot go back to work or a social gathering the same day after a lip augmentation.
Sometimes autologous fat injections can be used, taken from the persons own body . The only problem with fat injections is the fact that they may require a second sitting after 6 months as a touch up procedure as the amount of fat which stays in the lips after 6 months is @ 60% of that injected initially. Also the fact that it has to be done in an operation theater though under local anesthesia. Dermal Grafting is done by taking a piece of skin and using it as a filler material. This involves a minor surgical procedure. It can be done under local anaesthesia. There is swelling in the lip for a few days but it takes around 3 months for the lip to settle down fully. There is of course a small hidden scar from where the skin is harvested, usually in the groin. | 
