Lip Lift vs. Lip Filler
We all want full, supple and symmetrical lips. Everything counts – from the color, to the peak and the bow. All of these variables need to work together to form the palette for a picture-perfect pout.
For those that aren’t satisfied with the lips they have, there are cosmetic options that enhance the lips. When augmenting the lips, the two most popular procedures are:
- Lip Fillers
- Lip Lifts
While similar in vernacular, the two are very different in meaning.
LIP FILLERS
The more widely-known of the two options is lip fillers. This form of lip augmentation is designed to bring fullness to the lips. A lip filler is traditionally injected into the lips and around the mouth to add shape and volume, allowing you to achieve that perfect selfie pout that everyone is after.
Fillers aren’t permanent, though. Depending on the type of filler used, the results can last between 6 months to one year. Of course, this means, there is a level of upkeep to maintain results. Fillers aren’t a one-size-fits-all option, and certain patients are not ideal candidates for fillers.
Some fillers contain hyaluronic acid, which is a natural substance found in the body. This type of dermal filler is referred to as a “hyaluronic acid filler.” Some, like Restylane and Volbella, are so widely used they have become household names.
It’s important to find a highly skilled injector for your lip fillers, ideally a facial plastic surgeon like Dr. Michael Bassiri-Tehrani. Inexperienced injectors can cause complications like lumps, irregularities, and asymmetrical lips. Seek out an accomplished expert, even if it costs a bit more.
LIP LIFT
The lip lift, on the other hand, is a very different kind of procedure, with permanent effects. This surgical procedure involves the surgeon removing tissue from beneath the nose to shorten the distance between the top of the upper lip and the nose, also referred to as the philtrum.
Over time, the face and skin lose elasticity. As the face ages, the philtrum actually elongates. It can increase one to three millimeters every decade once you hit 30, and the result is a less perky pout.
A lip lift ultimately enhances the eversion of the upper lip to reveal more of the teeth and create more of a pout. Lip lifts aren’t just for the aging patient either. Some younger patients want a permanent solution and are tired of the constant upkeep of fillers. It just depends on the specific individual.
Lip lifts can be performed with local anesthesia in less than one hour. Sutures are generally removed on day five. While the incision under the nose will be pink for a week or so, this can be hidden with makeup and the color will normalize over time, in many cases, becoming invisible.
GETTING STARTED
As a patient, understanding your options should be a priority when looking to enhance your appearance. When seeking a doctor or a surgeon, consider whether or not they are board-certified, whether or not they specialize in an area of the body, and what type of experience they have on addressing the needs you outline in your consultation.
NYC-based cosmetic surgeon, Doctor Michael Bassiri-Tehrani is double board-certified in ENT/ Head and Neck Surgery as well as facial plastic and reconstructive surgery.
Doctor Bassiri-Tehrani’s ultimate goal is to make his patients feel beautiful and confident with their appearance. To learn more about Dr. Bassiri-Tehrani, click here.
To schedule a consultation at Dr. Bassiri-Tehrani’s New York City office on 86th Street, please call (212) 339-2001 or email [email protected].
