According to the most recent statistics from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), lip augmentations are at a record high. Demand for the procedure is increasing faster than for breast augmentations, one of the most constantly demanded plastic surgeries.
The most recent statistics show that more than 27,000 lip augmentation procedures were performed last year, an average of one every 20 minutes. That’s a 43% increase since 2000. Despite the popularity of the procedure, though, it might not be the best way to plump your lips.
Why Lip Augmentation Is Growing in Popularity
According to plastic surgeons, there are many reasons why the procedure is increasingly popular. Partly, it’s that the market is changing. The procedure used to be used mostly for older women who saw their lips shrinking with age. Now there are women of all ages, including those in their late teens who are just looking to match the luscious lips that celebrity icons sport in a parade of selfies seen on social media. With more people looking for augmentations, the popularity is definitely going to increase.
On the other hand, the procedure itself has changed, making it a more desirable option. In the past, lip augmentation was often performed surgically. One of the popular procedures used acellular cadaver skin that was folded and inserted into the lip. Results were long-lasting, but recovery was also long, and there was a danger of asymmetry.
With injectable fillers, lip augmentation became easier. Just a few minutes for the procedure. But early fillers were hard to use. Many of them had a granular texture that looked unnatural under the thin skin of lips. And their texture also caused significant swelling, which made the lips look too big at first, then too small when the swelling went down.
Modern injectable fillers are smoother, allowing for less swelling and better results.
Shortcomings of Lip Augmentation
However, there are still problems with the lip augmentation procedure. The biggest problem is that the results are very short-lived. The constant movement of the lips encourages the breakdown of the fillers, so they only last four to six months.
And although the fillers are smoother, they can still lead to swelling, giving you a bee-stung appearance when the procedure is done.
Asymmetry is also still a problem as doctors can sometimes inject too much filler in one part of the lip.
A Full Mouth Rejuvenation Can Help Lip Appearance
If you are unhappy with lips that appear thin, it might not be your lips that are the problem. Your lips are supported by your teeth and the bones that support your teeth. Many people who think that they have thin lips actually have a lack of support for their lips. Improving the support for your lips with a dental rejuvenation can dramatically improve their appearance.
This has many benefits over lip augmentation. First, the results last longer, perhaps ten years. And you don’t have to worry about swelling in the lips because your lips won’t be altered. Your lips will also maintain their balance–no asymmetry as a result of unbalanced injections.
Best of all, you get a beautiful smile as well as voluptuous lips. You may also see a reduction of facial wrinkles around the mouth, what we describe as a nonsurgical facelift. This can help you look younger and healthier.
If you would like to learn whether your lips can be improved by restoring your teeth, please contact us by email, or call us at (912) 234-8282 for an appointment with a Savannah cosmetic dentist at Beyond Exceptional Dentistry.
