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Lip Augmentation

The lips often take center stage during first impressions, which is why many individuals – both women and men – seek ways to enhance their pout. At Aesthetic Plastic Surgical Institute, our Orange County plastic surgeon offers lip enhancement with injectable fillers or fat injections to help patients obtain fuller, more defined lips. While it is common nowadays for filler results to appear “overdone” or “overfilled,” Dr. Mills strives to create lip augmentation results that look natural and flatter each patient’s natural beauty.

Whether you are looking for a subtle refinement or a more dramatic transformation, Dr. Mills can tailor your treatment using today’s most advanced filler options, including Restylane®, JUVÉDERM®, and the RHA® Collection by Revance. Depending on your unique aesthetic goals, he can customize your lip augmentation procedure to create a subtle boost or a more dramatic transformation.

What Is Lip Augmentation?

Lip augmentation is a cosmetic procedure designed to enhance the fullness, shape, and overall appearance of the lips. This can be achieved with injectable dermal fillers (such as Restylane® or JUVÉDERM®) or fat grafting, which involves transferring purified fat from another area of the patient’s body into the lips. Each technique offers unique advantages, and during a personalized consultation, Dr. Mills will help determine the most suitable option.

What Are the Benefits of a Lip Augmentation?

In the hands of an experienced provider, lip augmentation can provide benefits such as:

Whether a patient desires a subtle refinement or a more dramatic enhancement, lip augmentation can help create a look that compliments their natural features. To achieve the safest and most beautiful results over time, we recommend choosing an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon for your lip augmentation. As a former President of both The Aesthetic Society® and the California Society of Plastic Surgeons, Dr. Dan Mills is known for delivering exceptional care and consistently producing life-changing outcomes.

Which Injectables Can Be Used for Lip Augmentation?

RHA® Collection by Revance

The RHA (Resilient Hyaluronic Acid) Collection by Revance represents a new generation of lip filler technology engineered specifically to keep pace with natural facial movement. Most traditional fillers are formulated with highly processed hyaluronic acid; however, RHA® fillers use a gentler cross-linking process that can better preserve the natural structure of the hyaluronic acid to produce a softer, more flexible gel that adapts fluidly as you speak, smile, and laugh. This can result in a fuller, more defined lip that moves naturally, with less potential to feel stiff or look artificial. RHA fillers are FDA-approved and, in appropriate candidates, can deliver results lasting up to 15 months.

Restylane®

Restylane is one of the most established and trusted names in lip augmentation, with a long track record of safe, consistent outcomes. Composed of hyaluronic acid (a substance the body produces naturally), Restylane can integrate smoothly into lip tissue to add volume, improve definition, and restore a more youthful contour without the need for allergy testing beforehand. The Restylane family includes several formulations, allowing Dr. Mills to select the product best suited to your specific lip anatomy and goals, whether that means building overall volume, sharpening the lip border, or softening fine lines around the mouth. Results are typically visible right away and should continue to develop over the days that follow.

JUVÉDERM®

JUVÉDERM is another leading hyaluronic acid filler with a range of specialized formulations designed to address different aspects of lip aesthetics. Known for its smooth, cohesive gel consistency, JUVÉDERM can incorporate naturally into the lips to create soft, even volume and a well-defined shape. Like Restylane, it requires no allergy testing and should produce results that are immediately visible, with further refinement over the first several days post-treatment. With the right maintenance schedule, JUVÉDERM results can last nine months or longer. Patients who receive JUVÉDERM treatments may also be eligible to earn savings through the Allé® Rewards program (formerly Brilliant Distinctions®), adding long-term value to their investment.

Fat Injections

Fat injections – also known as liposculpture or fat transfer – are a natural option for lip augmentation that uses the patient’s own fat to replenish lip volume and shape. Because the fat is harvested from the patient’s own body, there is minimal risk of allergic reaction or rejection. The procedure involves extracting fat cells through gentle liposuction, purifying them, and then precisely injecting the fat into the lips to create a fuller, more defined appearance.

Surgical vs. Non-Surgical Lip Augmentation

Lip augmentation can be approached either surgically or non-surgically, and the right choice depends on a patient’s goals, anatomy, and preference for longevity.

Non-surgical options, including injectable fillers like the RHA Collection, Restylane, and JUVÉDERM lines, as well as fat transfer, are popular choices for patients seeking flexible, lower-commitment enhancement. These treatments require little to no downtime and can be adjusted over time as aesthetic preferences evolve.

For patients seeking a more permanent structural change, surgical options such as a lip lift may be worth exploring. A lip lift shortens the space between the nose and the upper lip, creating the appearance of fuller, more defined lips without the need for ongoing filler maintenance. During your consultation, Dr. Mills will assess your facial anatomy and listen carefully to your goals in order to recommend the approach, or combination of approaches, best suited to you.

What Does the Lip Augmentation Procedure Involve?

facecloseupThe lip augmentation procedure typically lasts around thirty minutes, and more often than not requires little to no downtime. Injections are made using ultra-thin needles, sometimes with the help of a local anesthetic to help patients feel more comfortable. Following the procedure, there may be some swelling or bruising near the treatment site, but this should dissipate quickly. Results of the lip augmentation procedure are typically immediately noticeable. Depending on which type of injection is used, results can last anywhere from three to twelve months, possibly even longer with occasional touch-up procedures from Dr. Mills.

Lip augmentation treatments are specially designed to create the stunning pout you desire. View our before-and-after photo gallery to view our results.

How Long Do Lip Augmentation Results Last?

The longevity of lip augmentation results varies based on the treatment selected. Hyaluronic acid fillers like Restylane and JUVÉDERM typically last anywhere from 6 to 12 months, though individual results depend on factors such as metabolism, the amount of product used, and how the body naturally breaks down the filler over time. The RHA Collection by Revance, with its resilient hyaluronic acid technology, may offer extended outcomes of up to 15 months in appropriate candidates. Periodic touch-up appointments can help many patients sustain their preferred look.

Fat transfer results tend to have greater staying power. Once the transferred fat cells establish a blood supply in the lips (a process that should occur in the weeks following treatment), a portion of those cells can remain indefinitely, leading to results that may last for years. Patients should expect some initial volume loss as the body absorbs a percentage of the transferred fat, which Dr. Mills accounts for during treatment planning.

Complementary Procedures

Lip augmentation pairs naturally with several other treatments that address overall facial balance and rejuvenation. Patients frequently combine lip enhancement with:

Dr. Mills takes a comprehensive, individualized approach to facial aesthetics, which can ultimately increase the potential that any combination of treatments works in concert to produce results that look balanced and natural — never overdone. During your consultation, he will discuss which complementary options, if any, may help you achieve your broader aesthetic goals.

How Much Does Lip Augmentation Cost?

The cost of lip augmentation can vary depending on several factors, including the type of enhancement selected (injectable filler or fat transfer), the amount of product needed, and the overall complexity of the treatment. Because each procedure is customized, pricing is determined during the consultation with Dr. Mills.
For those interested in financing options, Dr. Mills offers flexible payment plans through PatientFi™, which can be tailored to fit a wide range of budgets. Additionally, patients who choose JUVÉDERM® may be eligible to earn savings and rewards through the Allé® Rewards program (formerly Brilliant Distinctions®). A member of our knowledgeable team will be happy to review all associated costs, financing options, and any available special offers during your visit.

To schedule a lip augmentation consultation with Dr. Mills, feel free to contact our practice!

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