Lip Augmentation in San Antonio
Voluptuous lips are an excellent complement to a beautiful face. Many women seek more plump lips, particularly as we age. Lips can become thin and seem to “disappear” into our faces. Dr. Hernandez offers lip augmentation to patients in San Antonio to help them restore a more youthful appearance and to restore the confidence and sensuality that comes with a more voluptuous pout.
What is lip augmentation?
Lip augmentation is a procedure that gives you fuller, more youthful-looking lips with enhanced shape, structure, and volume.
What types of lip augmentation are available?
Dr. Hernandez delivers exceptional results for patients in San Antonio using several different technologies. During your consultation with Dr. Hernandez, she will review your goals and conduct a thorough examination, then, she will discuss all the options available to you and make her specific recommendations to help you achieve your goals.
Options for lip augmentation include:
Temporary, Hyaluronic Acid Fillers
This is the most popular choice for many of Dr. Hernandez’s lip augmentation patients. Dr. Hernandez uses a variety of hyaluronic acid fillers for lip augmentation. Hyaluronic acid is a natural substance in our bodies that leads to fuller lips. Dr. Hernandez offers patients several of the leading hyaluronic fillers for lip augmentation in San Antonio, including:
Juvederm Ultra XC and Juvederm Vollure
Juvederm is one of the most respected and trusted providers of hyaluronic acid today. Dr. Hernandez has been using their fillers to deliver outstanding results for many years. Juvederm Ultra XC delivers natural-looking results that last for approximately 6 to 12 months. Juvederm Vollure is the longest-lasting filler approved by the FDA, with results that can last up to 18 months.
Revanesse Versa
Revanesse Versa is another trusted hyaluronic acid filler used by Dr. Hernandez to treat patients of Eterna Cosmetic Surgery. Revanesse Versa results in less initial swelling than Juvederm products, so in many cases, Dr. Hernandez will recommend Revanesse Versa for patients who have previously experienced moderate to severe swelling with previous facial filler treatments. Results with Revanesse Versa can last up to 12 months.
Non-surgical lip augmentation with these products can help you quickly and affordably achieve your desired look.
Longer-Term Collagen Filler
For patients seeking longer-lasting results (and depending on your specific goals), Dr. Hernandez may recommend lip augmentation with a long-term collagen filler. Specifically, Dr. Hernandez offers lip augmentation with Bellafill.
Lip augmentation with Bellafill delivers natural-looking results that last up to 5 years, making it an excellent option for patients who wish to enjoy long-lasting results.
Fat Grafting
Lip augmentation with fat grafting is emerging as a trendsetting technical innovation in lip augmentation technology. Autologous fat injections, or fat grafting, uses purified fat from another part of your body as a filler for your lips. Results with fat grafting can look very natural and can last for years.
For patients who wish to avoid synthetic fillers, bovine collagen, or PMMA (acrylic) particles, fat grafting has emerged as a powerful option for lip augmentation. To determine the best option to help you reach your specific goals, be sure to discuss them at length with Dr. Hernandez during your consultation.
Who is an ideal candidate for lip augmentation?
As with any treatments or procedures, patients should be in generally good health and will provide a medical history to Dr. Hernandez during your initial consultation. It’s important to have realistic goals and a positive outlook.
During your consultation, Dr. Hernandez will discuss your goals and conduct a comprehensive examination. She will then provide you with highly personalized recommendations to help you reach your goals. Dr. Hernandez also recommends that any smokers stop smoking for at least a week or two prior to, and for several weeks after lip augmentation.
What happens during a lip augmentation procedure?
Lip augmentation using fillers is a very quick procedure here in the Eterna Cosmetic Surgery office in San Antonio. Sessions typically last approximately 15 minutes, depending on the amount of filler being used. Before your lip augmentation, a numbing cream will be applied to your lips. Then, ice will be applied to further numb your lips.
During lip augmentation with fat grafting, Dr. Hernandez will use liposuction to remove fat from a previously-determined location (this is typically the abdomen or outer thighs). Then, she will purify the fat and use a needle and syringe to artfully deposit the fat into your lips to create a desirable, youthful look. Lip augmentation with fat grafting is an outpatient procedure that typically takes about 1 hour in our San Antonio office.
What can I expect after lip augmentation?
In most instances, patients will notice an immediate result after lip augmentation. Results from Bellafill may take several weeks as your body begins to produce more collagen in your lips.
The most important step for you to follow after lip augmentation is to leave your lips alone and allow them to heal. Avoid pinching the lips with strong pressure for about 1 week to avoid moving the dermal filler out of place (as it is soft and pliable until it sets) or to avoid damaging the grafted fat cells.
Dr. Hernandez will ask you to schedule a follow-up appointment approximately four weeks after your lip augmentation so that she can review the results and together with you, determine whether an additional application is needed to achieve your desired look.
In the several days following your lip augmentation, you may experience swelling and bruising for 2 to 3 days as your lips adjust to the fillers. Over-the-counter painkillers can help alleviate any discomfort. Dr. Hernandez recommends taking at least 24 hours to rest after lip augmentation.
Patients who received lip augmentation with fat grafting will experience some mild soreness in the liposuction area. Extensive liposuction, as is done to contour the body, is not done so patients only have mild discomfort and usually only one small puncture incision that heals quickly. Patients should take it easy for 2 days and avoid strenuous exercise for 1 week as the area of liposuction heals.
It’s important to stay hydrated following lip augmentation to facilitate healing. Dr. Hernandez also recommends you avoid strenuous exercise or extremely warm temperatures for 24 to 48 hours after lip augmentation with fillers.