Whether you want fuller lips or want to restore your lips, there are multiple different options available.
Restylane®-L has been used since the late 1990’s in Canada and Europe and was FDA approved for use in the United States in 2004 for the treatment of the smile lines (nasolabial folds). It works well to fill lines and make the lips fuller. This product contains hyaluronic acid, a carbohydrate, so there is little risk of allergy. Results may last six months or longer. Although not originally FDA approved for this purpose, this product is commonly used to reduce lip lines, sharpen the border of the lip, or enlarge the lips. Results typically last up to 6 months and occasionally longer. There are several products within this line than can be used.
Restylane® Fine Lines is a product developed to to correct fine perioral lines. It has the same safety profile of Restylane-L, but has a smaller size molecule size to fill lines perfectly.
RHA-2 & RHA-3 are newer products that work similar to Restylane-L and Restylane Fine Lines. This product may last longer and is somewhat softer. RHA-3 is great for adding volume and RHA-2 is great for treating fine lines.
Juvederm® has been used for decades and has results that are similar to Restylane. There is no "fine lines" product within this line at this time.
Long-Lasting Results:
Chemical Peels are used to reduce wrinkles. Depending upon one’s needs, lighter or deeper peels may be suggested. Depending upon which peel is used, results can be long-lasting. In general medium-depth chemical peels (i.e. Trichloroacetic acid) are needed to appreciate significant results. A deep Phenol peel can be performed that has the most profound results of any treatment, although this results in permanent whitening of the skin.
Dermabrasion is a procedure in which the skin is sanded to improve wrinkles. Mild-moderate lines can be almost erased with this simple procedure. Results are usually long-lasting. With the advent of lasers, this is less commonly performed today. This is completely different than micro-dermabrasion.
Laser resurfacing has been used for over a decade and is a safe procedure with predictable results to improve wrinkles with long-lasting results. Fractional resurfacing (which only resurfaces part of the skin) has reduced downtime by 20% or more, although more than one treatment session may be needed. The fractional ablative CO2 is extremely effective as it both resurfaces and tightens the skin. Non-ablative fractional resurfacing, such as the ICON 1540, heats columns of skin to tighten the skin with virtually no downtime. At least 3 sessions are needed for optimal results.
Threads, made of dissoluble sutures, have been used to stimulate one's own collagen to create a fuller lip or reduce lines. Results often last 12-18 months. This is a safe and cost-effective option. Immediate results are seen, but collagen replaces the suture material over the next 6 months for a longer lasting result. Sometimes this procedure is used in combination with other procedures.
Microneedling with Radiofrequency (i.e. Morpheus or Secret RF) is a technology that heats the skin through tiny needles using electricity. This breaks down the collagen causing new collagen to form, thus reducing fine lines and wrinkles. There is little downtime and procedures take little time.
OTHER PROCEDURES
(the procedures listed below are not performed by Dr. Bader)
Artefill® is a product that is made of tiny microscopic Plexiglas beads that has long-lasting, if not permanent, result. It is used to primarily fill deeper lines, such as the smile lines. This product is licensed under the name Artecoll® in both Europe and Canada, where it has been used since the 1990’s. Although uncommon, the development of nodules under the skin has been reported and may develop years after injection (reference: Hruza GJ.Radiance FN, Long-Term Soft Tissue Filler. Journal Watch Dermatology 2004 Sept; 12(9):73.)
Silicone is a permanent filler that is not FDA approved for any cosmetic purpose in the United States. It can be used to make the lips fuller, fill in smile lines or frown lines, fill in lip lines, or to reduce acne scarring. In the past, there have been numerous reactions to injected silicone, which appears to be from the use of an unpurified form that is no longer available. In the recent years, the use of silicone appears to be safe and long-lasting with little risk of reactions previously seen. Although, as this is a permanent filler, a bad result is permanent as well. For this reason, Dr. Bader does not use liquid Silicone for any cosmetic purpose.
Belotero® is newer hyaluronic acid filler that is used to fill in fine lines around the mouth. This product may last 6 months
Fat transfer utilizes one’s own fat that is usually taken from the hips or buttocks and injected into the lips to create fuller lips. Depending upon the desired result, more than one treatment may be needed. There is a risk of lumpiness that makes this procedure less commonly used for lip augmentation.