Lip Augmentation

What is a lip augmentation and how is it performed?

Lip augmentation encompasses a variety of cosmetic procedures that shape and plump the lips. The benefits of these treatments are two-fold, as these volumizing agents can also help diminish the appearance of fine lines surrounding the lip borders.

Over the course of his decade-long career, Dr. Khorasani has dedicated substantial time investigating and subsequently mastering the most safe and effective lip enhancing treatments. Years of research and experience have led to the conclusion that augmentation with injectable fillers or a fat transfer provides optimal volumization and shaping of the lips. Please see our below sections Injectable Dermal Fillers, Fat Transfer, and Gummy Smile Correction for further details regarding each of these innovative therapies. Regardless of the treatment modality chosen, rest assured that each procedure is carefully executed to minimize risk and secure excellent cosmetic outcomes.

What is a lip augmentation with injectable dermal fillers?

The most commonly used injectable fillers are composed of hyaluronic acid, a naturally occuring substance that attracts and stores water. The ability of hyaluronic acid to retain nearly one thousand times its weight in water is responsible for the dramatic volumization effects seen with these types of fillers. Specialized hyaluronic acid fillers like Juvéderm Ultra XC®, Juvéderm Volbella®, Restylane Kysse® and Restylane Silk® are uniquely suited to augment the lips, as their proprietary, non-bulky formulas allows for an enhanced shape that both looks and feels natural.

The ideal ratio of the vertical height of the upper lip to that of the lower lip should be 1 to 1.6. Unfortunately, many practitioners fail to abide by this paramount aesthetic rule. Poor results from unnatural, overfilled lips have given this procedure a bad reputation. Dr. Hooman Khorasani is a renowned national educator in the art of lip augmentation and has spent the majority of his career training the next generation of cosmetic surgeons. Throughout his medical career, he has consistently emphasized that “less is more.” This approach is critical when crafting the perfect lip contour.

Dr. Khorasani uses a special technique where he only makes two entry points from the corners of the mouth to treat the entire upper and lower lip. He uses a fine, blunt cannula (hollow tube) to place the filler in the desired location. Therefore, there will be no needle marks on the actual lips and there is significantly less discomfort, swelling and bruising using this technique.

What is lip augmentation with fat transfer?

Fat transfer or autologous fat grafting is a highly-efficacious sculpting procedure that banishes unwanted pockets of fat from under the chin, belly, thighs, etc. and repurposes its contents to enhance the natural contours of your lips. This in-office procedure harvests fat from the sites most bothersome to you using localized liposuction. The extracted fat is then rigorously purified to remove excess fluid, oils, and cellular debris. Upon completion of the refining process, the fat is transplanted to the lips to provide increased volumization and definition.

The principles of fat redistribution can also be used to enhance other areas of the face or body. Learn more on our Fat Transfer page to ascertain if the multiple applications of this versatile treatment can compliment your lip augmentation to provide you with optimal face and body contouring.

Many of our patients opt for head-to-toe liposuction in combination with their fat transfer lip augmentation to achieve their ideal silhouette. Liposuction has been a staple of Dr. Khorasani’s decade-plus career and he is proud to have helped thousands of patients look and feel their best through this minimally-invasive surgical procedure. Please visit our Liposuction page to determine if this comprehensive surgical treatment can help you obtain your aesthetic goals.

What is a Gummy Smile Correction Using Neuromodulators?

A gummy smile is one where the lip rests high up on the gums. And while every smile is unique and beautiful, we want to help our patients feel most confident in whatever their ideal smile may be. A gummy smile may be caused by long or enlarged gum tissue, a short upper lip, or the size and shape of your teeth, among other factors. But a quick dose of a neuromodulator like Botox or Dysport can help soften a gummy smile with little to no pain or down time.

Botox and Dysport can be used to relax the muscles in the upper lip, which can limit how high it rises on the gums when you flash a smile. A few injections in the area between the nose and upper lip can help to reduce the appearance of a gummy smile and will leave a more natural-looking, gentler smile in its place.

The procedure is minimally invasive, and very effective, with results lasting around three to six months. After the injections, the full effects are expected to be visible within one weeks.