Lip Enhancement / Smile Lines

Lip Enhancements

Sensuous, full lips are a hallmark of alluring beauty. Many techniques flourish to create or re-establish full youthful lips, but very few methods prove to be safe and efficacious. As the lips are one of the most mobile and expressive regions of the face, only select materials should be used to enhance lip fullness without risking an unnatural appearance, infection, extrusion, or permanent deformities.

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Dr. Buckingham offers several options for lip enhancement. The best option for some patients is injectable collagen replacement therapy. The injectable material most often used is Restylane or Juvederm. Collagen replacement therapy is very safe, and can be performed during an office visit once the patient has been evaluated during a consultation. (The patient should be aware that collagen replacement therapy requires repeated treatments about every 6 months to maintain the desired result.)

A permanent alternative to lip augmentation is Perma Facial Implantation. This is a relatively minor procedure whereby the desired fullness is created with a tissue implant. For each procedure discussed on this web site there are particular advantages or disadvantages depending on the goals of the patient. Dr. Buckingham will discuss these options in detail during the patients consultation appointment.

To determine if a patient is a good candidate for this procedure, Dr. Buckingham recommends a private patient consultation.

Dr. Buckingham feels that successful facial plastic surgery results from the development and maintenance of good rapport between the patient, the surgeon, and his staff during the consultation and future appointments. The consultation will include a complete facial analysis to determine the best procedure to bring about the desired results and all questions relating to the patients specific concerns will be addressed.

Prospective patients are encouraged to call the office to schedule an appointment at their earliest convenience.

Find answers to Lip Enhancement questions in Dr. Buckingham’s Q&A.

Q – What is lip enhancement?
Lip enhancement is designed to give the patients lips a full and youthful look. The procedure can also help to diminish wrinkling near the mouth. There are several different methods to choose from in enhancing the lips, one of which is injectable collagen replacement therapy. This technique makes use injectable materials like Restylane or Juvederm. Collagen replacement therapy is one of the least risky methods of lip enhancement, although temporary. Alternately, patients can choose to make their enhancement permanent with the use of lip implantation or other surgical procedure. This rather minor procedure uses a tissue implant to give the lips their appealing look.

Q – Who is the best candidate for lip enhancement?
Candidates for lip enhancement are in good physical health and have realistic expectations for enhancing the appearance of the lips. A private patient consultation with Dr. Buckingham is the best way to determine if lip enhancement is right for you.

Q – What is Restylane?
Restylane is an injectable filler made of hyaluronic acid. It can be used to enhance the lips and to treat facial wrinkles and folds, providing results that last an average of six months.

Q – What is Juvederm?
Juvederm is an injectable filler made of hyaluronic acid which can be used to enhance the lips. Juvederm is also commonly used to treat facial wrinkles, acne scars and other facial imperfections. Results typically last six months or longer.

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