What is Lip Augmentation?

Lip Augmentation is an umbrella term for a group of procedures that address concerns affecting the lips and mouth.

Cadogan Clinic has brought together a team of the UK’s leading Consultant Facial Surgeons who are experts in performing all forms of Lip Augmentation. All procedures at Cadogan Clinic are overseen by leadership rated as Outstanding by the CQC.

As it is often a simple procedure with straightforward recovery or minimal downtime, Lip Augmentation is increasingly popular. In 2022, the global market value of Lip Augmentation was estimated at $6.4 billion and projected to increase to $11.61 billion by 2030.

There are several common aesthetic and medical concerns which affect the shape, proportions and function of the lips and mouth, including:

• Loss of volume or thin lips
• Unbalanced or asymmetrical lips
• Downturned lip corners
• Lip injury or scarring
• Medical conditions, such as Cleft Lip

The shape and appearance of the lips are commonly affected by genetics, but they are also among the first areas to be impacted by the natural effects of ageing.

Lip Augmentation procedures target all common lip concerns to achieve a balanced, proportionate lip appearance. It is essential that each patient’s concerns are addressed individually with a bespoke treatment plan to deliver the best outcomes. Cadogan Clinic’s Consultant Facial Surgeons are committed to providing the highest standards of personalised patient care and results.

Lip Augmentation is a group of popular and simple facial procedures that enhance the shape, volume, and proportions of the lips and mouth.

Which Lip Augmentation Procedure is Right for Me?

To decide which is the best Lip Augmentation procedure to achieve your desired results, your surgeon will discuss your concerns during a one-to-one consultation at our award-winning Clinic, based in Chelsea, London.

Your surgeon will discuss the pros and cons of different treatment options with you and how combining Lip Augmentation procedures may enhance your results.

What is a Lip Lift?

A Lip Lift is a surgical procedure which enhances the shape, definition and proportions of the lips and mouth with permanent results.

During a Lip Lift surgery, a small amount of skin is removed from various areas around the lips, depending on the concerns the patient wishes to address and the results they hope to achieve. 

There are different types of Lip Lift surgery depending on your concerns:

• Bullhorn Lip Lift: Small amounts of skin are removed from the area beneath the nose to address the upper lip
• Corner Lip Lift: The corners of the mouth are addressed by removing small amounts of skin from above the outer corners
• Lower Lip Lift: By removing small amounts of skin from below the mouth, concerns affecting the lower lip are addressed

Cadogan Clinic’s expert Plastic Surgeons are experts in performing Lip Lift surgery, and 100% of our surgical patients would recommend the Clinic to their family and friends.

Lip Lift Pros and Cons

Pros

• Enhanced shape and proportions of the lips and mouth
• Permanent results
• Adaptable procedure to treat a range of concerns
• Can be combined with other facial procedures to enhance the final results

Cons

• Can’t enhance lip projection
• Not suitable for patients who wish to minimise their recovery time

What is Lip Filler?

Lip Fillers are a non-surgical procedure that increases lip volume and defines the lip shape.

During a Lip Filler procedure, Dermal Filler, made from a naturally occurring molecule found in the body, called Hyaluronic Acid, is precisely injected into the lips to achieve the patient’s desired results.

Lip Fillers can be injected into different areas of the lips in varying amounts to achieve a personalised, balanced result. Your surgeon will discuss various Lip Augmentation shapes with you to determine the best placement for your Lip Filler injections and the amount of Filler required.

The Dermal Fillers will naturally be reabsorbed into the body over time, and most people find that the results last between 6 and 12 months.

Cadogan Clinic only uses licensed Dermal Filler products by JUVÉDERM® or RESTYLANE®, injected by Consultant medical professionals to ensure all Lip Filler procedures are safe and to prevent complications.

Lip Filler Pros and Cons

Pros

• Immediate results
• Minimal downtime
• Adaptable and personalised treatment

Cons

• Requires repeat treatment to maintain results

What is a Lip Flip?

A Lip Flip is a non-surgical procedure designed to improve the visibility and definition of the upper lip.

During a Lip Flip procedure, Anti-Ageing Injectables are injected into the muscles surrounding the upper lip, relaxing them and causing the upper lip to turn upwards and outwards.

Results can take 10-14 days to develop as the injectables take effect. Most patients find that their Lip Flip results last for up to 12 weeks.

Cadogan Clinic only uses licensed Anti-Ageing Injectable products, and all injectable procedures are performed by Consultant medical professionals to ensure maximum patient safety and optimal outcomes.

Lip Flip Pros and Cons

Pros

• Minimal downtime
• Natural-looking results
• Increased fullness and definition

Cons

• Results take a few days to develop
• Temporary results requiring repeat treatments to maintain

Lip Lift, Lip Fillers, and Lip Flip are the most common Lip Augmentation procedures, each designed for different patient needs and results.

What Concerns Can Lip Augmentation Address?

There are a wide range of concerns which can affect the appearance and function of the lips and mouth. Lip Augmentation is often a highly effective way to address these concerns. Speaking with a Consultant Facial Surgeon will help you to decide on the best Lip Augmentation options to achieve your desired results.

Lip Volume

One of the most common concerns people have about the appearance of their lips is volume. Lip volume is most often affected by ageing or genetics, causing thin lips, or changes to the lips’ appearance when smiling or speaking.

There are two factors which influence the volume of the lips:

• Vertical lip height: The height of the visible lip when viewed front-on
• Lip projection: The amount the lip extends outwards from the face

To achieve a proportionate and natural result, it is important to balance lip height and projection when performing any Lip Augmentation for thin lips. In cases where lip height and projection aren’t balanced, the result may appear unnatural; however, patients may have personal aesthetic reasons for prioritising one over the other. Balancing lip height and projection is also dependent on a patient’s natural anatomy.

• Enhancing vertical lip height without addressing lip projection can make the lips look voluminous from the front, but flat from other angles
• Prioritising lip projection, but not lip height, can cause the lips to look overly pouty and unnatural

Your surgeon will discuss the best balance of lip height and projection with you during your consultation.

Lip Augmentation Procedures to Address Lip Volume

Lip Lift, Lip Fillers and Lip Flip are all effective methods for addressing Lip Volume. However, they each affect lip height and projection in different ways.

• Lip Lift: Primarily increases lip height 
• Lip Fillers: Primarily increases lip projection, but also increases lip height
• Lip Flip: Primarily increases the height of the upper lip 

Depending on your natural anatomy and your desired results, your surgeon may suggest combining Lip Augmentation procedures to achieve the right balance of lip height and projection.

If you are undergoing Lip Augmentation surgery, such as a Lip Lift, and you have previously had Lip Filler or a Lip Flip, your surgeon may ask you to wait for the effects to subside or to have your Filler dissolved to ensure they don’t impact the surgical results.

Once you have recovered from your surgical Lip Augmentation, you will be able to undergo non-surgical Lip Augmentation options to enhance your final results.

Asymmetrical Lips

Asymmetrical lips are a common concern, characterised by a visible difference in lip definition, shape or proportion from one side to the other.

Lip asymmetry is typically described as horizontal or vertical:

• Vertical lip asymmetry: A visible difference between the right and left sides of the mouth
• Horizontal lip asymmetry: A visible difference between the upper and lower lip

Whether a patient is affected by vertical or horizontal lip asymmetry may be linked to the underlying cause:

• Vertical lip asymmetry is more often associated with external factors such as injury
• Horizontal lip asymmetry is more typically connected to ageing or genetics

However, it is important to remember that this is not universal, and both types of lip asymmetry can arise from a wide range of causes.

Lip Augmentation Procedures to Address Asymmetrical Lips

Lip Lift and Lip Fillers are the most effective options to address asymmetrical lips:

• Lip Lift: Depending on the amount of skin removed from the affected lip area, a symmetrical lip appearance can be achieved
• Lip Fillers: Carefully injecting Filler into uneven areas of the lip can help to restore shape and definition

Your Consultant Facial Surgeon will help you to decide which procedure is the best option to address your lip asymmetry concerns. One of the most important factors that patients consider when comparing Lip Lift vs Lip Filler for treating lip asymmetry is that, as a Lip Augmentation surgery, Lip Lift delivers permanent results, whereas Lip Fillers require follow-up appointments every few months to maintain results.

Downturned Lip Corners

Downturned lip corners (also known as the oral commissures) affect many people and are most often caused by ageing or genetics. They can result in a sad-looking or unapproachable expression, which can affect an individual's confidence in personal and professional settings.

The pointing downwards of the lip corners is characterised by the oral commissures being lower than the centre of the oral fissure (the space between the lips).

Where downturned lip corners are caused by genetics, they will be apparent from early on in life. For those who develop downturned lip corners as part of ageing, the signs will develop over time as the skin surrounding the mouth loses structure due to the breakdown of collagen and elastin.

Lip Augmentation Procedures to Address Downturned Lip Corners

Lip Lift, Lip Fillers and Lip Flip are all popular Lip Augmentation techniques to address downturned lip corners:

• Lip Lift: A Corner Lip Lift specifically addresses the position of the lip’s outer corners
• Lip Fillers: Injecting a small amount of Lip Filler into the outer areas of the mouth provides support to the corners to help lift them
• Lip Flip: By relaxing the muscles along the upper lip, the outer corners become lifted

To decide on the best option to address Downturned Lip Corners, your Consultant Facial Surgeon will discuss the Lip Augmentation results you wish to achieve and whether you can commit to repeat treatments to maintain your results.

Lip Injury or Scarring

The skin which makes up the lips is much thinner than the surrounding areas, resulting in differences in texture and appearance. This can make injuries and scarring more visible, especially around the edges of the lips, known as the vermillion border.

Lip scarring can affect the shape, definition, and symmetry of the lips and, in cases of extensive scar tissue, may impact the movement and comfort of the mouth when smiling or speaking.

Lip Augmentation Procedures to Address Lip Scarring

A Lip Lift or Lip Fillers are the best Lip Augmentation techniques to address the effects of lip scarring:

• Lip Lift: Although a Lip Lift can’t remove the scarring within the lip, the shape and definition can be improved, and asymmetry addressed
• Lip Fillers: Injecting Lip Filler can improve the texture of scar tissue and redefine the shape of the lips

During your consultation, your Consultant Facial Surgeon will discuss the best options to address lip scarring with you and explain the results you can achieve.

Cleft Lip

Cleft lip is a congenital medical condition resulting from the tissues of the mouth and lips not developing fully during pregnancy, leaving a gap, known as a cleft.

There are varying severities of cleft lip. In some cases, the gap affects only a small portion of the upper lip, whereas in more severe cases, it may extend from the base of the nose to the back of the palate (roof of the mouth).

For most patients with cleft lip, reconstructive surgery is performed in early childhood to prevent future complications from developing. However, the shape and definition of the lips and mouth can still be affected into adulthood, and many people are keen to address this.

In rare cases where cleft lip and palate haven’t been operated on during childhood, specialist reconstructive surgery must be performed before any Lip Augmentation procedure can be carried out.

Lip Augmentation Procedures to Address the Residual Effects of Cleft Lip

Lip Lift and Lip Fillers are both popular and effective options to reshape and redefine the lips when they have been affected by previous cleft lip treatment:

• Lip Lift: Surgical Lip Lift techniques can be used to address asymmetry and loss of lip definition
• Lip Fillers: Injecting Lip Filler can improve the texture of scar tissue and redefine lip shape and border

When considering any treatment to address the effects of cleft lip, it is important to find a specialist surgeon with extensive experience in treating patients with concerns of this nature to achieve the best results.

Facial Palsy

Facial palsy is the weakness and paralysis of the facial muscles, usually caused by irritation or damage to the facial nerve. It most often affects movement and expression on one side of the face.

There are several conditions which can cause facial palsy to develop:

• Bell’s Palsy caused by inflammation of the facial nerve
• Stroke
• Infection
• Tumour or swelling placing pressure on the facial nerve
• Muscular Dystrophy
• Head injuries

In some cases, facial palsy is temporary and will resolve over time; in other cases, it may be long-term. It is important to establish the cause of facial palsy to determine the best treatment plan and whether Lip Augmentation is the best course of action.

Lip Augmentation Procedures to Address Facial Palsy

Surgical Lip Augmentation and Lip Flip techniques are the most effective options to address the effects of facial palsy:

• Lip Lift: By adjusting the shape and position of the lips, the appearance of the mouth can be restored
• Lip Flip: Although a surgeon may not use the exact Lip Flip injection placement to address facial palsy, Anti-Ageing Injectables are effective in reducing muscle spasms often connected to muscle weakness and paralysis

It is important to remember that in some cases of long-term facial palsy, specialist treatment may be recommended to reanimate the affected nerves and muscles alongside treatment to address any cosmetic concerns.

Speaking with a Consultant Facial Surgeon with a specialist knowledge of facial palsy is the best way to understand what the right option may be for you.

Different types of Lip Augmentation can be applied to address a wide range of aesthetic and medical concerns affecting the appearance and function of the lips.

Lip Augmentation: Differences in Recovery

The differences in recovery between Lip Lift, Lip Fillers and Lip Flip are one of the main factors that determine which procedure a patient chooses.

Your surgeon will discuss Lip Augmentation aftercare and recovery for each procedure during your initial consultation, to ensure that you are fully informed when making your decision.

While Lip Fillers and Lip Flip have fairly minimal downtime, Lip Lift, as a surgical procedure, has a slightly longer recovery period.

Cadogan Clinic provides a comprehensive recovery and aftercare package with all surgical procedures:

• 24/7 recovery phone support from our specialist surgical nurses
• At least two post-operative appointments with our dedicated nursing team and your Consultant Facial Surgeon to monitor your results and recovery

Aftercare for patients who have had injectable treatments includes:

• A complimentary review appointment 2 weeks after their treatment to discuss their results and treatment plan
• Contact with their personal patient advisor for assistance and support

Lip Lift Aftercare & Recovery

• Full recovery: 4-6 weeks
• Swelling and bruising: 2-3 weeks
• Avoid exercise and strenuous activity: 4-6 weeks
• Back to work: 7-10 days
• Sleeping position: On back with slightly elevated head for 2-3 weeks

Lip Fillers Aftercare & Recovery

• Full recovery: 1-2 weeks
• Back to work: Same day
• Swelling and bruising: 7-10 days
• Sleeping position: Head slightly elevated for 2-3 days

Lip Flip Aftercare & Recovery

• Full recovery: 1-2 weeks
• Back to work: Same day
• Redness and bruising: 5-7 days
• Sleeping position: On back for 3-5 days

During your consultation, your surgeon will assess your personal circumstances and discuss any factors that may affect your individual recovery process following any Lip Augmentation procedure. It is essential to follow your surgeon’s Lip Augmentation aftercare instructions to achieve your desired results, and prevent complications from occurring.

Lip Augmentation recovery and aftercare vary by procedure, and it is important to understand what level of downtime to expect.

What is the Best Type of Lip Augmentation?

Lip Lift, Lip Fillers and Lip Flip are a selection of Lip Augmentation procedures that address common concerns affecting the shape, definition and proportions of the lips and mouth.

It is important to consider that while Lip Lift delivers permanent results, it has a longer recovery period, but Lip Fillers and Lip Flip have minimal downtime and require repeat treatments to maintain results.

The Lip Augmentation procedure you choose will also be based on the concerns you wish to address. Although Lip Lift, Lip Fillers and Lip Flip are all highly effective for addressing lip volume, concerns such as scarring or the effects of facial palsy may require specialist surgical intervention.

Speaking with an expert Consultant Facial Surgeon will provide guidance on different types of Lip Augmentation, and which one is most suitable for you. Cadogan Clinic’s specialist patient advisors are on hand to discuss your concerns and match you with the best Consultant to meet your needs at our award-winning Clinic, based in the distinguished area of Chelsea in London.

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