Lip augmentation is undoubtedly one of the most sought-after cosmetic touch-ups.. Experts indicate that social networks and the “influencer” effect on young people has created a dent. Nowadays it is difficult to see any celebrity’s face that has not undergone this type of retouching.
And although it may sound strange, with the arrival of the pandemic and the obligatory use of face masks, this intervention has skyrocketed. Now you may wonder why so many people are deciding to reshape this area if it remains covered for most of the day.
It seems that many people are taking advantage of the fact that they are wearing a mask to hide the postoperative period. In addition, many people are embarrassed to admit that they have “put on” lips and prefer to say that they are natural.
However, lip augmentation is not the only touch-up done in this area. There are also other treatments indicated to reshape the lips, reduce them or correct morphological problems.. Let’s make a brief review of what this surgery consists of and what are its procedures.
What is cheiloplasty?
Better known as lip surgery, it is a cosmetic procedure that aims to reshape the lips. Some people request a lip augmentation because they want fuller and fuller lips, while others want a reduction in lip size. Therefore, three types of cheiloplasty are known:
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Augmentation cheiloplastyIt is performed on thin lips or lips that have lost volume due to facial aging.
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Reduction cheiloplastyIt is an unusual treatment for those patients with overdeveloped lips and little harmonious with the rest of facial features. Sometimes it is also performed to remove infiltrations or implants that had been previously placed to increase volume and is called secondary cheiloplasty.
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Corrective cheiloplastyIt is done in those patients who have suffered alterations in the lips that may be caused by tumors, trauma, burns or congenital malformations such as cleft lip.
Who is it for?
There are different profiles of candidates who can opt for this cosmetic surgery:
- People with thin lips who wish to increase their volume.
- People with thick lips who wish to reduce their volume.
- People with congenital alterations or who have had their lips affected by some disease.
- People who have undergone a previous treatment that was unsuccessful.
It is important to point out that some people with autoimmune and inflammatory diseases may not be suitable for this cosmetic surgery.. For this reason, patients undergo medical examinations in order to be approved for the procedure. Likewise, smokers should be especially careful, as smoking is not recommended when performing this type of treatment.
Procedure
The process of the lip surgery technique depends on the type of operation performed, whether it is augmentation, reduction or reconstruction.
1. Augmentation cheiloplasty
Currently, thanks to the evolution of techniques, lip augmentation can be performed in an authorized practice. In some cases, this procedure is performed in an operating room within a hospital center. There are two types of lip fillers, one that has a temporary durability and another that is permanent or definitive..
The temporary lip filler is usually made with hyaluronic acid and is the most demanded. It is not only used to give volume but also provides hydration, reaffirms the lip tissues and attenuates perioral wrinkles. It is a painless and painless and very fast technique because it is performed in sessions of 20 to 30 minutes in which hyaluronic acid is infiltrated through microinjections. through microinjections.
Hyaluronic acid has a number of advantages, the main one is the speed with which the results are observed and the naturalness. It is a resorbable material and biocompatible with the body so the risks and side effects are minimal.
Thanks to this treatment, voluminous and full lips can be achieved in proportion to the face. The duration of the treatment is approximately six months to one year depending on the type of skin of the person and their personal care.
As far as permanent lip filler is concerned, this is dominated by the technique of Permalip. It is a very simple surgical procedure that is performed as follows: The surgeon makes two small incisions in the corners of the patient’s mouth to insert solid silicone implants. The procedure does not take more than an hour since each lip requires half an hour. However, this material is less and less used and fat grafts from the patient’s own cheeks are used instead.
As for the results, both types of treatments result in natural looking lips. Normally, when hyaluronic acid is used, the results are visible 24-36 hours after the application because during the following hours the lip is usually swollen. On the other hand, in the Permaliptechnique, the results take a little longer to appear as they are guided by the healing period.
2. Reduction cheiloplasty
This procedure is performed is performed on those patients who have excessively large lips that cause problems when speaking and that cause them problems when speaking, controlling salivation and chewing. It is of vital importance to put ourselves in the hands of a qualified plastic surgeon, who will inform and advise us in detail about everything related to the intervention and the results.
We must clearly explain to the surgeon the expectations we have about the results. The surgeon will evaluate the lip with the rest of the face from the front and profile and will provide us with the appropriate treatment to obtain lips in proportion with the facial features. The surgical procedure is performed under local anesthesia and consists of lip reduction, which can be in two directions.
If you want to reduce the size of the lips vertically, the intervention consists of making a transverse incision in the lateral commissures on the inside of the lip. Hypertrophied (large) labial glands or excess tissue is then removed. Since the incision is made inside the lip, the scar is very inconspicuous, the scar is very discreet.. Finally, small resorbable stitches are given to approximate the lip tissues.
If, on the other hand, the lips are too large in the transverse plane, a vertical wedge is removed from the lip to reduce its length. The incision will extend horizontally in order to hide the scar along the mentolabial groove.
3. Secondary cheiloplasty
It is the one that used to correct a previous cosmetic procedure that failed or that for various reasons the patient no longer or that for different reasons, the patient no longer likes. In this case, the incision is made depending on the patient’s needs and as much of the product as is accessible is removed.
Currently, the surgical laser fiber is used to try to undo those granulomas that are not accessible. The edges are then closed with a resorbable suture. These stitches fall out on their own and if in seven days there are any remains, they are removed at the follow-up visit.
In this small operation is also used local anesthesia and usually lasts no more than an hour. The scar, as it is made in the mucosa, is not very visible and is usually very small.
4. Corrective cheiloplasty
Also called reparative, corrects congenital malformations such as cleft lips or caused by such as cleft lips or caused by tumor diseases, trauma or burns. It is performed in plastias, a type of surgery that uses the tissue of the lip itself. Sometimes it is necessary to use grafts.
What is the postoperative period like?
The postoperative period of a lip surgery is not long, but it can be a little long.However, it can be a little uncomfortable at the beginning because the lips tend to move a lot when gesticulating, speaking and eating.
Normally there is an edema that will disappear after 4 to 5 days and sometimes the doctor may recommend applying cold compresses to accelerate the process of inflammation and healing.
It is also recommended to be careful when eating and it is suggested to eat a soft diet in the following days. Similarly, it is recommended 2 to 3 days of rest so that the patient does not strain when speaking and eating.
If stitches have been used, they will be removed 7 to 10 days after surgery. The redness of the area may last until the scar heals completely and fades.
Price
There is no fixed price, since depending on the case and the result to be obtained, the price can be very variable. It is important to choose a professional who works with a good product, so it is important to first make a good search and compare the different clinics that offer these services.
In the case of lip augmentation, the approximate price ranges from 250 € to 350 €.and up to 500 € in cases that require more product. On the other hand, the price of reduction or corrective cheiloplasty can range from 1,200 € to 2,000 €.