Treatment Results
- Short-term results: Noticeable changes in lip shape can be observed shortly after surgery or injection. For instance, lip augmentation results in fuller, more sensual lips; reduction of thick lips leads to thinner lips with more refined contours; and lip philtrum reshaping enhances the three-dimensional appearance of the lips.
- Long-term results: Long-term outcomes vary depending on the specific procedure. Injectable lip augmentation, such as with hyaluronic acid, typically lasts 4 to 6 months. In contrast, surgical procedures like lip reduction or lip philtrum reshaping offer more durable results. Provided the surgery is successful and healing proceeds well, the results can be maintained long-term.
Suitable candidates for lip plastic surgery include:
- Individuals with naturally thin lips who wish to achieve fuller lips.
- Individuals with excessively thick lips that affect overall facial aesthetics.
- Individuals seeking improvement in the shape of the lip tubercle or cupid's bow.
- Individuals with downturned mouth corners who desire an upward lift (smiling lips).
- Individuals with abnormal lip morphology due to trauma, congenital anomalies (such as cleft lip), or other conditions.
- Individuals experiencing age-related lip changes, including atrophy, sagging, or fine lines.
However, the following groups are not suitable for lip plastic surgery:
- Individuals with severe systemic diseases such as heart disease, hypertension, or diabetes that make them unfit for surgery.
- Individuals with active infections or inflammatory conditions in the lips.
- Individuals with unrealistic expectations regarding surgical outcomes.
- Individuals taking certain medications (e.g., anticoagulants) that may compromise surgical safety.
Select Equipment
Injection Equipment: For lip augmentation via injection, a syringe is the commonly used device. High-quality syringes ensure precise and uniform injection, minimizing pain and the risk of complications. When selecting, consider the syringe material, needle gauge, and sharpness.
Surgical Equipment: Surgical procedures require basic instruments such as scalpels, forceps, and suturing needles. Reputable medical facilities use surgical equipment that has undergone rigorous sterilization and quality testing to ensure safety and efficacy. Some advanced facilities may also be equipped with laser devices to assist in surgery or post-operative repair.
Select Equipment
Injection Equipment: For lip augmentation via injection, syringes are commonly used. High-quality syringes ensure precise and even injection, reducing pain and the risk of complications. When selecting, pay attention to the syringe material, needle gauge, and sharpness.
Surgical Equipment: Surgical procedures require basic instruments such as scalpels, forceps, and suturing needles. Legitimate medical facilities use sterilized and quality-tested surgical equipment to ensure safety and efficacy. Some advanced centers may also be equipped with laser devices to assist in surgery or postoperative recovery.
Price
The cost of lip plastic surgery varies significantly depending on the procedure:
Injectable Lip Augmentation: Hyaluronic acid lip augmentation typically costs between 1,500,000 and 7,500,000 KRW per syringe, depending on the brand, dosage, and injection site. Collagen lip augmentation generally ranges from 3,750,000 to 11,250,000 KRW.
Surgical Procedures: Thick lip reduction surgery costs between 2,250,000 and 6,000,000 KRW; lip philtrum augmentation (cupid's bow shaping) is approximately 1,500,000 to 4,500,000 KRW; smile lip surgery ranges from 3,750,000 to 9,000,000 KRW.
Prices are also influenced by factors such as region, hospital tier, and the surgeon's level of experience.
Expected Results
For lip augmentation, the expected outcome is fuller, rounder lips with enhanced three-dimensional definition and sensuality. However, the longevity and naturalness of the results may vary depending on the filler material used and individual physiological factors.
The expected result of lip thinning surgery is to achieve balanced lip thickness, smooth contours, and better harmony with other facial features.
For cupid's bow formation surgery, the goal is to create a distinct yet natural cupid's bow, enhancing the overall aesthetic appeal of the lips.
In smile lip reshaping, the expected outcome is to maintain a naturally upturned corner of the mouth, giving a friendly and sweet expression.
Combination Therapy
Lip plastic surgery can be combined with other cosmetic procedures to achieve better overall results:
- Combined with facial fillers: While undergoing lip plastic surgery, fillers can be administered to areas such as the temples and cheeks to make the facial contour fuller and more three-dimensional.
- Combined with laser treatments: For individuals with lip pigmentation or fine lines, laser therapy can be performed after lip surgery to improve the color and texture of the lips.
- Combined with orthodontics: If lip protrusion is caused by dental issues, orthodontic treatment should be performed first, followed by lip plastic surgery, to achieve optimal correction results.
Side Effects and Complications
- Lip Injection:
- Localized swelling and pain: This is a common reaction after injection and typically subsides on its own within a few days.
- Bruising: Blood vessels may be damaged during the injection process, causing localized bruising, which usually fades within 1–2 weeks.
- Infection: If sterilization during injection is inadequate or post-procedure care is improper, infection may occur, presenting as localized redness, swelling, fever, and increased pain.
- Filler displacement: After injection, external pressure or massage may cause the filler to shift, affecting the aesthetic outcome.
- Surgical Procedures:
- Bleeding: Bleeding may occur during surgery and is typically managed through pressure application or suturing.
- Infection: Similar to lip injections, surgical procedures carry a risk of infection, requiring strict adherence to postoperative care instructions.
- Scar formation: Surgical incisions may leave visible scars, particularly in procedures such as labial contouring, where noticeable scarring can appear above the vermilion border. However, scars tend to fade gradually over time.
- Lip asymmetry: Improper surgical technique or complications during recovery may result in asymmetry between the two sides of the lips.
Aside from the side effects and complications mentioned above, lip plastic surgery may also lead to the following issues:
- Numbness of the lips: Nerves in the lips may be damaged during surgery, causing numbness. This sensation usually resolves within weeks or months, though in rare cases it may persist long-term.
- Dry lips: The skin of the lips may become dry after surgery, requiring consistent moisturizing care.
- Psychological stress: Unsatisfactory results or outcomes that differ from expectations following plastic surgery can cause psychological stress and anxiety in patients.
Selecting Equipment
In lip plastic surgery, in addition to the injection and surgical equipment mentioned above, some auxiliary instruments may also be used:
- Laser devices: Used to remove pigmentation on the lips, improve fine lines, and more. Common laser devices include carbon dioxide lasers and pulsed dye lasers. When selecting a laser device, consider parameters such as wavelength, energy, and pulse width, as well as the brand and quality of the equipment.
- Ultrasonic scalpel: In certain surgeries, an ultrasonic scalpel can be used for cutting and hemostasis, reducing surgical trauma and bleeding. When selecting an ultrasonic scalpel, choose products from reputable manufacturers and ensure their performance is stable, reliable, and safe.
Contraindications
Individuals with severe cardiovascular diseases, liver or kidney dysfunction, diabetes, or other systemic conditions.
Women who are menstruating, pregnant, or breastfeeding.
Individuals with allergies to plastic surgery procedures or filler materials.
People with psychiatric disorders or psychological conditions that prevent them from correctly understanding the risks and outcomes of the procedure.
Individuals with untreated infections or inflammation in the lips.
Contraindications for Selection
Individuals with severe cardiovascular diseases, liver or kidney dysfunction, diabetes, or other systemic conditions.
Women who are menstruating, pregnant, or breastfeeding.
Individuals with allergies to plastic surgery procedures or filler materials.
Individuals with mental illnesses or psychological disorders who cannot correctly understand the risks and outcomes of surgery.
Individuals with untreated infections, inflammation, or other diseases in the lips.
Side Effects
In addition to the side effects and complications mentioned above, lip plastic surgery may also cause the following side effects:
- Numbness of the lips: During the procedure, nerves in the lips may be damaged, resulting in a numb sensation. This typically resolves within a few weeks or months, though a small number of individuals may experience it on a long-term basis.
- Dry lips: After surgery, the skin of the lips may become dry and requires careful moisturizing.
- Psychological stress: The outcome of plastic surgery may be unsatisfactory or differ from expectations, which can cause psychological stress and anxiety for the patient.
Self-Diagnosis of Symptoms
- Overly thin lips: The lip thickness is significantly below the normal range, with the upper lip measuring less than 5mm and the lower lip less than one and a half times the thickness of the upper lip. Visually, the lips appear insufficiently full and lack dimensionality.
- Overly thick lips: The lips are excessively plump, exceeding normal aesthetic standards, giving a coarse or rough appearance.
- Indistinct labial tubercle: The basic shapes of the labial tubercle and lip peaks are imperfect, with the tubercle not protruding enough, resulting in a lack of dimensionality and aesthetic appeal.
- Downturned mouth corners: The corners of the mouth naturally droop downward, conveying a sorrowful or unhappy expression.
- Irregular vermilion border: The vermilion border is misaligned or uneven, possibly caused by poor scar healing after trauma or errors during cosmetic surgery.
- Defects in the vermilion area: There are missing sections in the vermilion region, which may result from congenital incomplete cleft lip or excessive tissue removal during surgery.
Select a Treatment Plan
- Define treatment goals: First, clarify the desired outcome, such as enhancing lip volume, creating a pronounced philtrum, or adjusting the shape of the lip corners.
- Assess lip condition: A physician will conduct a thorough examination and evaluation of your lips, including thickness, length, width, color, and elasticity, as well as checking for any issues like scarring or inflammation.
- Consider personal health status: Evaluate whether your current health is suitable for surgical or injectable procedures. If you have certain medical conditions, elective cosmetic surgery should be postponed until your condition is stable.
- Choose the appropriate treatment method: Based on your goals, lip condition, and health status, select the most suitable approach. For instance, individuals with thin lips may opt for dermal filler injections or autologous fat grafting, while those seeking to reduce thick lips may require surgical reduction.
- Develop a personalized plan: Your physician will create a customized treatment plan tailored to your specific needs, covering treatment duration, frequency, and dosage. Ensure active communication with your doctor and fully consider their professional recommendations when finalizing the plan.