A fuller and more youthful appearance of the lip can be attained with the injectable derma fillers, JUVEDERM. However, the material gradually absorb in four to seven months, making a periodic re-injection necessary. In addition to dermal filler, Dr. Koyama also places modern permanent implants made out of expanded Gortex, such as the Adventa Atrium implants. The implant is potentially useful in patients who like the effect of the injectable materials but wish to avoid the periodic injections
The youthful lip is full and slightly pouting. The pink part of the lip can be 1/3 to 1/2 the volume of the moustache area in general. Some of us are born with naturally long upper lips. This procedure is designed to shorten the upper lip allowing people even in their twenties to benefit from this procedure.
As we age all the bones of the body (including the face) retract and diminish allowing the flesh of the face to hang more. The soft tissue and fat of the face undergo atrophy so the skin itself also falls. The aged upper lip is characterized by a thin or non-existent vermilion (the pink part) and a smile that does not show the teeth. Therefore, people experiencing this can also benefit from this procedure.
The lip lift procedure may be done in the office under local anesthesia with minimal discomfort. An incision is placed directly beneath the nose and a small strip of skin and tissue is removed. The lip is elevated to its new position exposing about 1/8" of teeth and permanently increasing the volume of the pink part of the lip. Abdominal fat can be injected in the lips to also give an overall fuller appearance should the patient desire. The procedure takes about ninety minutes and the sutures are usually removed after a week.
The result of the lip lift is a more youthful and pleasant shape to the mouth and lips. The teeth will show more and the patient almost always looks happier and relaxed