Plastic surgery is becoming more common and popular. But because many do not want others to know they’ve had work done, a natural appearance is more important than ever. For those looking for natural lip enhancement and augmentation results, they need to pass the “kiss test.”
The Kiss Test
The lip enhancement and augmentation procedure creates fuller more sensuous lips. No one wants overfilled, lumpy, or hard lips, and the kiss test is the benchmark to go by when assessing lip enhancement results. Augmented lips that feel soft and natural during a kiss pass the kiss test.
Temporary Fillers Are Soft and Natural
There are currently a number of temporary techniques available to enhance lips including synthetic fillers like Restylane, Radiesse, and Juvederm, and other non-synthetic fillers like collagen and fat transfer. Among these Dr. Williams currently recommends Restylane as the treatment of choice. It provides a very natural look and feel. This popular product is injectable and, because it is a natural compound produced synthetically, allergic reactions are extremely rare. It involves only a short 15- to 30-minute procedure under local anesthesia or topical numbing agent in the office. There is little to no downtime and you can immediately return to normal activities.
While the lips will swell to a size larger than usual after the procedure, this will settle after a few days. When the treatment is performed correctly, lip augmentation done with dermal fillers will easily pass the kiss test.
The effect will remain from four to nine months and will require regular repeat treatments to maintain. Radiesse lasts about a year or more; collagen lasts about three to six months; and fat transfer injections last about six months.
Even though the results are temporary they require the knowledge, skill, and artistry that only a board certified facial plastic surgeon can provide, especially compared to other injectable filler treatments. The contour of the lip is extremely important and mistakes are prominent.
Permanent Solutions May Not Be Natural
Dermal fillers are a good way to get a preview of results before committing to surgical augmentation. Lip implants like SoftForm, Gore-Tex, and Advanta are currently the only technique available for permanent augmentation. Because the results are permanent, seeing a qualified practitioner is essential if you want to pass the kiss test.
Surgical procedures may be performed in an outpatient’s surgery center, a Rejuva center or office-based facility, or a hospital under general anesthesia or local anesthesia with sedation. Recovery takes about a week with some swelling and bruising. The stitches will be removed or dissolve on their own in seven to 10 days. Pain medication may be prescribed if necessary.
Don’t Skimp on Quality
The best option for you depends on your priorities, budget, and candidacy for each procedure. Before undergoing lip augmentation and enhancement, always do extensive research and meet with several practitioners before treatment.
Potential risks and complications vary depending on the technique used and may include: allergic reactions, adverse anesthesia reactions, bleeding, excessive scarring, hematoma, infection, lip asymmetry, and migration and extrusion of the implant. Lumpiness or scarring can occur with fat transfer, and some implants can result in infection and extrusion or migration of the implant.
Consult With a Facial Plastic Surgeon Today
Discuss this and other options and procedures with Dr. Edwin F. Williams of the Williams Center Plastic Surgery Specialists and The Williams Rejuva Center. We have offices conveniently located in Albany and Manhattan. Call the Williams Center at 1-800-742-2797.
Dr. Williams is the Medical Director of the Rejuva Center where he oversees the training of the cosmetic specialists. He is certified by the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and the American Board of Otolaryngology. He is also a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, and the American Academy of Otolaryngology — Head and Neck Surgery.
About the Author: Dr. Edwin Williams
Dr. Edwin Williams is a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon who founded The Williams Center in 1993. He has performed over 10,000 facial plastic surgery procedures and has pioneered the deep plane facelift. He served on the Board of Directors for the American Academy of Facial Plastic Surgery for over a decade, and served as President from 2015-2016. In 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019, Dr. Williams earned the Castle Connelly Top Doctors award in New York Facial Plastic Surgery.
Dr. Edwin F. Williams III attended Cornell University in Ithaca, New York where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in 1982. He began medical school at the State University of Buffalo School of Medicine and received his Doctor of Medicine in 1986.
Dr. Williams is actively involved in teaching facial plastic and reconstruction surgery to the residents of the Albany Medical Center and is former Chief of the Section of Facial and Plastic Reconstruction Surgery at Albany Medical Center where he received an academic appointment of Clinical Professor, Department of Surgery.