Lip correction / lip injections

Basic information on lip correction / lip injections

Correction to achieve fuller lips is most commonly carried out by injecting a hyaluronic acid gel. This degradable tissue filler is injected into the lips using a thin needle. If only a small lip correction is required, this is usually done using an injection technique in which the filler is injected along the edges of the lips. A new technique that is extremely gentle on soft tissue is injection with atraumatic cannulas (blunt cannula).

Surgical lip corrections can also be used after tumours, accidents or age-related lip changes.

The most common initial situations that prompt patients to undergo lip correction are

Lips that are too thin: Genetically determined or age-related, the lips lose volume and appear narrow or flat. This is one of the most common reasons for a correction.
Asymmetrical lips: An uneven relationship between the upper and lower lip or an irregular shape of the lips is often perceived as disturbing and can be harmonised by correction.
Little contouring: Weakly defined lip edges or a blurred transition between the red of the lips and the skin lead to the desire for a clearer contour.
Age-related changes: With increasing age, loss of volume, wrinkling and drooping corners of the mouth occur, making the face look tired or sad. The lips lose fullness and definition.
Lips that are too big: Less frequently, there is a desire to reduce excessively large or protruding lips if they are perceived as inharmonious with the face.
Congenital malformations: Cleft lip and palate or other congenital defects may require functional and aesthetic corrections.
Personal dissatisfaction with the shape of the lips: Even if there is no medical abnormality, the shape of the lips sometimes does not correspond to one's own ideal of beauty, which triggers the desire for a correction

Objective of the treatment

Our Most important goal is to achieve natural and well-formed lips.

Brief overview of lip correction:

Duration of treatment:
20-40 minutes

Anaesthesia:
Anaesthetic cream or local anaesthetic

Follow-up treatment:
Possibly cooling of the lip region

Load restrictions:
Possibly limited socialising for 1-2 days

Associated terms:

Lip augmentation, lip augmentation, lip volume treatment, lip injections, lip modelling

Lip correction procedure

The exact procedure of a lip correction depends on the chosen method. A basic distinction is made between minimally invasive procedures such as lip injections (e.g. with hyaluronic acid or autologous fat) and surgical procedures (e.g. lip lifts or underlayment with tissue or plastic strips).

Preparation

Counselling interview to clarify your wishes, analyse the shape of your lips and select the appropriate method. Before and after pictures will give you an impression of your possible treatment result.
Clarification about risks, side effects, procedure and aftercare.
Blood-thinning medication, alcohol and smoking should be avoided for one to two weeks before the procedure.

Procedure for minimally invasive lip correction (e.g. lip injections with hyaluronic acid)

The lips are locally anaesthetised, usually with a pain-relieving cream or with an anaesthetic in the filler.
The selected filling material (e.g. hyaluronic acid, autologous fat) is injected into the lips using a fine needle or blunt cannula.
The treatment usually takes 15-30 minutes and is carried out on an outpatient basis.
After the procedure, the lips can be cooled to minimise swelling.
The result is immediately visible, minor swelling or bruising usually disappears within one to two days.
Aftercare: 2-3 days no sport, 1-2 weeks no facial treatments, avoid direct sun, avoid exaggerated facial expressions.

Procedure for surgical lip correction (e.g. lip lift, underlay, bullhorn lift)

Procedure usually under local anaesthetic or twilight sleep.
During a lip lift, small incisions are made, excess tissue is removed and the lips are reshaped.
Tissue or plastic strips are inserted through small incisions during underlayment.
The treatment lasts 45-120 minutes, depending on the method.
After the procedure, a short stay in hospital may be recommended, especially for a lip lift.
With modern techniques, scars are usually inconspicuous as they are located on the inside of the lips.
Aftercare: Cooling, avoidance of sport and strong facial expressions for a few days to weeks.

Which methods are used for lip correction?

Various methods are available for correcting and modelling the lips, which can be divided into minimally invasive and surgical procedures:

1. lip injections with fillers

Hyaluronic acid: The most commonly used filler. Hyaluronic acid is well tolerated, can be individually dosed and ensures a natural result. The result usually lasts for 6-12 months as the substance is broken down by the body.
Autologous fat (lipofilling): The body's own fat is harvested from another part of the body, processed and injected into the lips. The result is more long-lasting than with hyaluronic acid, as some of the fat remains permanently.
Collagen: It is used less frequently because it can cause allergic reactions more often and is also degraded.

2. special injection techniques

Russian Lips: A special technique in which hyaluronic acid is placed specifically in the cupid's bow and the red of the lips to achieve a defined contour and visually larger lips.
Lip contouring: Fillers are placed specifically along the lip line to emphasise the shape and even out asymmetries.

3. lip flip with botulinum toxin

In a lip flip, botulinum toxin (Botox) is injected above the upper lip. This relaxes the muscles so that the lip rolls slightly outwards and appears fuller. No volume is injected, but an optical effect is achieved. The effect lasts for around 3-6 months.

4. surgical methods

Lip lift (e.g. bullhorn technique): This involves removing a strip of skin below the nose to lift the upper lip and make the red of the lips more visible. The result is permanent.
Lip-Advancement: The lip is pulled outwards through an incision at the red edge of the lip, which increases the volume over the entire upper lip.
Implants: Silicone implants (e.g. Permalip) are inserted into the lips and provide a permanent increase in volume. This method is less common and is not offered by us.
Underlay with fabric or plastic strips: Strips are inserted into the lips through small incisions to plump them up permanently.

5. other methods

Use of the temporalis fascia: The body's own muscle fascia from the temple is inserted into the lip as a filling material, which provides a natural result.

What is the best method?

The choice of method depends on the individual wishes, the initial situation and the desired result.

What should be considered before lip injections?

Blood-thinning medication, such as acetylsalicylic acid, should be avoided one week before treatment. Patients who are prone to herpes labialis should take a low-dose herpes prophylaxis to prevent an acute herpes flare-up. From the day of lip augmentation, we prescribe a three-day course of medication.

How long does the result last?

The shelf life of the preparations is between 6 and 12 months. Even longer when using autologous fat.

After the treatment - healing and behaviour

You will receive personalised assistance and information from us. As a general rule, you should avoid or observe the following immediately after lip correction treatment:

Do not touch, press or massage the lips to prevent infection and slippage of the filler.
Do not consume any hot drinks or food for at least 4 hours, as the lips may still be numb and hot substances irritate the tissue.
Avoid smoking and alcohol for at least 4 hours, preferably longer, as this can delay healing.
Do not apply lipstick, lip care products and make-up until the following day to avoid irritation and infection.
Refrain from kissing for at least 24 hours.
Avoid sporting activities and heavy physical exertion for at least 48 hours to prevent swelling and bruising.
Avoid sauna, solarium and intensive sun exposure for at least a week, as heat can increase swelling.
Do not have facial massages, invasive cosmetic treatments or laser therapies in the lip area for at least two weeks.
Cool the lips carefully on the first day to reduce swelling, but do not place ice-cold objects directly on the skin and only cool for a few minutes at a time.
Drink plenty of water (at least two litres a day) to support the effect of the hyaluronic acid.
Avoid salty foods for the first few days to minimise swelling.
Avoid excessive facial expressions, such as strong laughter or talking, in the first few hours if possible.

How is the healing process?

Slight swelling, redness or small haematomas are normal and usually subside within a few days.
The final shape of the lips is visible after about one to two weeks.

Summary of healing and behaviour after lip correction

After lip injections, you should take care of your lips, avoid heat, pressure and heavy strain and ensure careful hygiene to promote rapid and complication-free healing.

What should you look out for when choosing a doctor / clinic?

When choosing a specialist, make sure that you use the term Specialist in Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery. Other designations such as beauty doctor, cosmetic surgeon, etc. are unprotected and not a sign of qualification (more on "What should you consider when choosing a specialist?„.

Make sure that you receive a comprehensive preliminary examination and information about the course of treatment, possible risks and the healing process.

Why should you come to us?

Extensive experience, maximum hygiene and infection protection, continuous further training and maximum care are the basis of our practice. This is also reflected in the large number of positive patient reviews, our seals and awards.

Benefit from our many years of experience. Dr Michaela Montanari has been a member of the board of the German Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (DGÄPC) since 2021.

Do you have any questions?

Dr Michaela Montanari and Dr Anna Maria Bugariu will be happy to answer all your questions about your lip correction. Arrange your personal consultation.