Lip Augmentation: Procedures, Cost and Risks

What is lip augmentation?
Lip augmentation is a cosmetic surgical procedure aimed at reshaping the lips to make them voluptuous, larger and proportionate to their facial features. Often women, prefer this approach as the quickest way to have beautiful lips. It is fast becoming a reflection of cultural trends emphasising beauty and youth.
Why is lip augmentation performed?
The reasons why people opt for lip augmentation include:
  • Cosmetic reasons for having larger and fuller lips to make them attractive
  • Makes one feel youthful and augments their image
  • To correct congenital disabilities (present at birth) or any other lip defects
Who is the right candidate for this procedure?
Anyone desirous of shapelier and full lips and in a good state of health can go for this procedure.
Who are not candidates for this procedure?
Individuals suffering from:
  • Severe hypertension
  • Diabetes
  • Herpes simplex lesions
  • Facial nerve disorders
  • Autoimmune disorders
  • Allergies
are not the ideal candidates for this procedure.
How is this procedure performed?
Lip augmentation can be achieved in the following ways:
  • Fat Injection
  • Permanent lip enlargement employing the individual's body tissues
  • Vermilion (visible part of the lips) reshaping by surgery
Fat injection: It is usually temporary. It utilises the fat harvested from a liposuction procedure from the individual's body and injecting it in the lips. This injection produces a bee-sting like swelling. This method gives rise to a fuller pouting lips.
Apart from fat injection now other dermal fillers like collagen and hyaluronic acid are injected into the lips for plumper lips.
Permanent lip enlargement: For enhancing the lip, the deeper layer of the skin (dermis) is harvested either from a breast reduction, abdominal reduction, etc. procedure. The outer layer of the lip skin (epidermis) is replaced, and the dermis layer threaded across one end of the lip to the other.
Similarly, lip implants are other approaches for lip augmentation.
The time varies from procedure to procedure and recovery can take from few days to a couple of weeks.
Reshaping the Vermilion: The mucosa underneath the lip can be advanced further down to give rise to fuller lips. This approach is used for correcting lips affected by congenital deformities or injuries.
Which is the best procedure for me?
The procedure of choice depends on your need. You can opt for a temporary option to experience the feel of it and then go for the permanent approaches.
What is the cost of lip augmentation procedure in India?
The cost of a lip augmentation procedure depends on the type of procedure you opt, the cosmetic surgeon and place you live. The prices start at 35000 INR onwards.
What are the risks linked to a lip augmentation procedure?
The possible risks associated with these procedures include:
  • The risk of infection
  • Bleeding from the site of injection
  • Lip asymmetry
  • Allergic reactions
  • Tissue loss
  • Pain