Dental, Health

Ask Dr. B: Lip Augmentation

Lip augmentation has become popular in recent years, let’s discuss a few concerns that I have encountered from my patients.

The most common concern I encounter is about the volume of the lips, with patients often expressing a fear of looking fake or having overly large lips.

Photo courtesy of Smiles Forever of Gardendale.

Dermal fillers are made with hyaluronic acid, a natural substance found in the body, and last between 8 and 12 months. They are also reversible. Lip enhancement can improve the appearance of lips, fix asymmetry, and increase self-confidence. For Patients considering lip enhancement it is crucial to address your concerns during a consultation to achieve your desired results.

At my practice, I provide 1ml filler syringes and it is important for patients to understand the volume of each syringe being used, as some syringes come in different sizes, such as 0.5ml, 1ml, or 2ml.

1ml is equivalent to 1/5 of a teaspoon, which is a relatively small amount. Patients should not worry about overly large lips from a 1ml syringe. Lip Volume needs to be built gradually and scheduled with multiple visits. Dermal fillers can be pricey. A one 1ml syringe can range from $600 to $900.

So, what can we do to help maximize the results?

It is important to know the size and the shape of the gel particles in each syringe when choosing one for patients. For example, fillers with smaller molecules are thinner and can be used to slightly enhance the lips with a natural look but is not a good choice for someone interested in having larger lips.

Knowledge in dermal fillers goes beyond just injecting, there are other factors involved such as the technique used & where the filler is being placed throughout the lips. Understanding the lip anatomy is very important. I also pay attention to minor details such as front teeth alignment and smile line to correct asymmetry. Intra-oral local anesthesia and topical cream are both available to make sure patients are comfortable during the procedure.

Here are a few examples of my patients where only a 1ml syringe was used after carefully listening to what each wanted during their consultation, the desired look was achieved. With the knowledge of your provider, you can have the lips you desire!

Photo courtesy of Smiles Forever of Gardendale.
Photo courtesy of Smiles Forever of Gardendale.
Photo courtesy of Smiles Forever of Gardendale.
Dr. Ala Barakat is the founder of Smiles Forever of Gardendale. If you have a question for Dr. B, you can send it to [email protected].