Lip Augmentation San Francisco Bay Area

Fuller lips are an indication of youth and beauty. As you glance through today's magazines you will see full lips displayed prominently on all models. As we grow older the lips become thinner and longer, and fine vertical lines appear - making lipstick bleed. Fortunately, there are various lip augmentation techniques available to help improve this situation, and Dr. Rajagopal can elaborate on them to assist you in your selection.

Short Term Options: (Lip Augmentation)

• Collagen- an injectable lip augmentation product derived from animal collagen that lasts an average of 3 months. Patients must do a patch test 30 days prior to their first treatment to test for allergy to the product.
• Cosmoderm/ Cosmoplast- an injectable product similar to collagen that is made from human collagen grown under a controlled laboratory environment. This lip augmentation product lasts just over 2-3 months for the average person. This product does not need any pre-testing.

Long Lasting Solutions for lip augmentation:

• Restylane- Restylane is a non-animal based hyaluronic acid, a natural substance that provides volume and fullness to the lips Restylane is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and is the first and only FDA-approved dermal filler made of a biodegradable non-animal stabilized hyaluronic acid (NASHA(TM)). It lasts approximately 4-5 months in the lips. 
• Juvederm - Juvederm is the newest injectible in the field of dermal fillers. Its active ingredient, hyaluronic acid, is a natural substance already present in your body that provides volume and fullness to the skin. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently approved Juvederm for the treatment of facial wrinkles and folds, such as nasolabial folds, the lines between the nose and mouth. It has been shown in clinical trials that Juvederm is effective for up to six months, but individual results may vary.
• Fat Transfer- A process where you can use your own body’s fat and insert it into the lips. The procedure is done under local anesthesia. Each transfer produces a approximately 10-20% improvement. It usually requires several treatments for best results. Results are variable it may last from a few months to several years.

Permanent Lip Enhancement:

• Gortex Implant- the only permanent (lip augmentation) implant. There are several different types (Advanta, Ultrasoft and Soft Form). Dr. Rajagopal will help you decide which type is best for you. A hollow or solid soft tube of Gortex is inserted into the lips under local anesthesia. This will enhance the fullness of the lips. The results are permanent as long as the implant is in place. Side effects may include visibility of the implant or extraction/rejection of the implant.

If you have any questions regarding Lip Augmentation, or wish to schedule a consultation, please call the San Francisco Plastic Surgery & Laser Center at 415-392-3333.