11 October 2006 Giving The Sexy Pout Some Lip Service
Plastic surgery is becoming so common these days that undergoing a simple lip augmentation may seem relatively risk free. But surgeons warn that the procedures and materials used to create celebrity pouts or to rejuvenate thinning, aged lips have varying results.
While having lip augmentation to produce a plump, sexy pout may be a real confidence booster for the young; most women undergo the treatment to improve their aging smile. "When most people think of lip augmentation, they immediately picture lips like Angelina Jolie," said Miles Graivier, at the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) Plastic Surgery 2006 conference. "However, the average lip augmentation patient is aged 35-64 and has the procedure to restore, not to over fill."
But in either case, if you think that just having your lips pumped full of filler is going to do the trick, think again. Plastic surgeons caution that women really need to know what lip augmentation involves before they go ahead with the procedure. "Numerous injectable fillers have entered the market over the last five years giving patients a number of options for fuller, younger lips," says Graivier. "But patients need to be aware of the risks and benefits of these products. Some fillers carry a higher risk of complication depending upon where they are injected, which can lead to unsatisfactory results."
Lip rejuvenation involves many decisions on the surgeon's part, such as identifying the area of the lip that needs treatment - laugh lines, lipstick lines, and inner lip - and choosing an appropriate filler for the job. For example, many women may not realize that semi-permanent fillers are sometimes a better option for areas like the inner lip, as more permanent fillers can lead to unsightly lumps and clumping that will remain visible for a year or more. "Lip augmentation, combined with rejuvenation of surrounding problem areas like laugh lines, can really remove years from your appearance. The key is using the appropriate filler in the correct area," concluded Graivier.
Plastic surgery is becoming so common these days that undergoing a simple lip augmentation may seem relatively risk free. But surgeons warn that the procedures and materials used to create celebrity pouts or to rejuvenate thinning, aged lips have varying results.