Lip Augmentation in Torrance, CA

Fuller, sexier lips are only a step away, whether it is JUVÉDERM®, Restylane®, lip implants, or fat grafting. Some exciting new techniques and materials are available — there are both temporary and lasting solutions. It can become a bit confusing to someone seeking lip enhancement, but there are some excellent new options now available.*

At South Bay Aesthetics Plastic Surgery Center in Torrance, CA, we specialize in personalized lip augmentation treatments to help you achieve the look you desire. Whether you want subtle volume or a dramatic transformation, our expertise in lip augmentation can help you feel confident in your results.

What Is Lip Augmentation?

Lip augmentation is a treatment to enhance the shape, size, and symmetry of your lips, customizing the results to suit your facial features and aesthetic preferences. Using techniques like dermal fillers or fat grafting, this approach can create fuller lips or restore volume lost over time. Whether you’re looking to refine your lip contours or achieve a more youthful appearance, the process offers customizable solutions that prioritize your unique goals.

Benefits of Lip Augmentation

Enhanced Volume and Shape of Lips

Lip augmentation allows for precise control over the enhancement of lip volume and shape. Fillers can add fullness to thin lips or define natural contours. Fat grafting offers a more permanent option, using your body’s own tissue to achieve results. Both options can target specific areas such as the Cupid’s bow or lip borders, to refine the overall look.

Natural-Looking Results

Modern techniques prioritize natural-looking lip augmentation that complements your facial features. The goal is to enhance your lips without an overdone or artificial appearance. By personalizing the amount and placement of the filler or grafted fat, we create results that blend seamlessly with the rest of your face.

Long-Lasting Results

The longevity of your results depends on the method chosen. Dermal fillers can last anywhere from 6 to 18 months, depending on the product and your body’s metabolism. Fat grafting offers a more enduring solution since the transferred fat integrates with the surrounding tissue. Implants remain in place permanently unless the patient chooses to have them removed. Touch-ups or maintenance sessions can keep your lips looking their best over time.

Improved Facial Balance

Balanced lips can harmonize your overall facial appearance. Enhancements can address asymmetries, improve the proportion of your lips to other features, or soften fine lines around the mouth. By subtly restoring or enhancing volume, lip augmentation can complement your natural beauty and improve how your facial features interact.

Minimally Invasive Techniques

Many lip augmentation techniques require little downtime and minimal discomfort. Dermal fillers are injected with a small needle that only involves a little pinch. Fat grafting only requires small incisions for fat harvesting and transfer. Both approaches avoid extensive surgery and allow you to enjoy quicker recovery times and more convenience while achieving noticeable improvements.

Our Lip Augmentation Techniques

JUVÉDERM

JUVÉDERM (Hyaluronic acid injectable filler) is beautifully structured for use in the lip area. The material is easy to manipulate in sensitive areas like the lips. It lasts 2-4 times longer than traditional collagen injections and is the identical substance found in the deep layers of our skin so it does not require skin testing for allergy. It is very safe to inject. A little swelling may be present for a day or two, and the enhancement retains volume over the course of 6 months to a year, staying soft and natural.*

Specific products in the JUVÉDERM line, such as JUVÉDERM VOLBELLA® XC and JUVÉDERM ULTRA XC, are commonly used for lip fillers. These products are slightly different from one another in order to cater to various concerns. VOLBELLA is used for soft and subtle volume plus correction of vertical lip lines. ULTRA XC is the perfect option for patients looking for more noticeable volume. Both are excellent hyaluronic acid options for lip augmentation, with results that look natural and complement your facial features.

Restylane

Restylane offers versatile dermal fillers for lips, known for their unique ability to enhance lip volume, define lip borders, and smooth fine lines around the mouth. Restylane Kysse is specifically designed for non-surgical lip augmentation, providing soft, natural-looking results while maintaining flexibility and movement for expressions. Restylane Lyft is ideal for patients seeking more pronounced volume and structure, particularly for defining the shape and contour of the lips. Both fillers use hyaluronic acid to integrate seamlessly with the surrounding tissue.

Fat Transfer

Fat grafting and fat transfer are also excellent techniques for enhancing the lips. It requires a little more recovery time but provides a long-lasting fill. Although not all fat will survive the transfer, what stays is yours forever. As it is harvested from your own body’s stored fat, the material has a very natural feeling and comes with no worries of allergic reaction. Swelling will persist longer than that of an injected material such as JUVÉDERM, but the results can be more dramatic and longer lasting. Fat transfers to the lips are most often performed when the patient is getting another procedure that requires anesthesia and the operating room. In conjunction with another procedure, fat grafting to the lips is a longer-lasting and more economical alternative to injectables.*

Lip Implants

Lip implants, silicone implants placed into the lip itself, are also an option for patients seeking a lasting volumizing solution. Dr. Verbin offers complimentary consultations for patients interested in any of the lip-enhancing procedures. At the consultation, he will evaluate your case and describe the options most suitable for your particular needs.*

Choosing the Right Option for You

Selecting the best approach to lip enhancement depends on your goals, lifestyle, and preferences. Dermal fillers like JUVÉDERM and Restylane are perfect for patients seeking temporary results with minimal downtime, offering flexibility to adjust or refine the look over time. Fat grafting is an excellent option for those looking for a more natural, long-lasting solution since the fat can remain in place indefinitely. For patients desiring permanent but more dramatic results, lip implants may be the right choice. During your consultation, we’ll assess your situation and help determine which option aligns with your aesthetic vision.

What to Expect During Your Treatment

Dermal Filler Treatments

The process begins with a discussion of your goals and a careful examination of your lips. Once we agree on the desired outcome, a numbing cream can be applied to keep the sensitive skin of your lips more comfortable during the injections. Using a fine needle or tiny cannula, the filler is injected into targeted areas of the lips. The treatment takes about 20 to 30 minutes, and you’ll see results immediately. Follow-up appointments can be scheduled to adjust or maintain your results as needed.

Fat Grafting Treatments

Fat grafting involves a two-step process. First, a small amount of fat is harvested from another area of your body, such as the abdomen or thighs, using a minimally invasive liposuction technique. The fat is then purified to isolate healthy cells which are carefully injected into the lips to enhance volume and contour. While some fat may be reabsorbed by the body, the retained fat offers durable, natural-looking results.

Lip Implants Treatments

For lip implants, a small incision is made at the corners of the mouth in an area that hides any scarring. The implants, which are soft and flexible to mimic the natural feel of lips, are inserted through the incisions and positioned to enhance volume and symmetry. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia and typically takes about an hour. Stitches are placed to close the incisions.

Lip Augmentation Recovery and Aftercare

JUVÉDERM and Restylane Recovery

After receiving injectable lip fillers, you may experience mild swelling, bruising, or tenderness around the injection sites. These effects usually subside within a few days. Over-the-counter pain relievers are sufficient if discomfort occurs. Avoid strenuous activities, alcohol, and excessive heat (such as saunas) for the first 24 hours to reduce the risk of complications. You can resume your daily activities immediately, but you should avoid applying pressure to your lips for at least 24 hours.

Fat Grafting Recovery

With fat transfer lip augmentation, recovery involves healing at both the lip area and the site where the fat was harvested. Swelling and bruising are common and may take up to two weeks to fully resolve. Keep the lip area clean and avoid applying pressure to the lips during the initial healing period. For the donor site, follow aftercare instructions for proper healing, such as wearing a compression garment if advised. Results may initially appear fuller due to swelling, but the final shape becomes apparent once the transferred fat integrates with the surrounding tissue.

Implant Recovery

Following surgical lip augmentation, swelling and tightness are common and may take one to two weeks to subside. You’ll be provided with instructions for keeping the incision sites clean to reduce the risk of infection. Avoid smoking, as it can interfere with healing, and refrain from excessive lip movement, such as pursing or biting, for the first few days. Soft foods may be recommended initially to prevent strain on the lips. Most patients return to normal activities within a week. Regular follow-up visits will promote proper healing and implant positioning.