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NYC Lip Augmentation (Lip Injections)

Lip Augmentation (Lip Injections) with Dr. Nina Naidu

Full, firm lips are a sign of youth and beauty. The aging process may cause the lip profile to flatten, the Cupid’s bow to become less defined, and vertical lines to appear between the nose and the mouth. Because your mouth is such a prominent part of your face, changes associated with aging can make you look older than you feel.
Dr. Nina S. Naidu, a female plastic surgeon in New York City (NYC), is an expert in non-surgical lip augmentation. She and her staff are dedicated to providing women in NYC with the highest quality of care possible. Dr. Naidu views lip augmentation as a delicate, nuanced procedure that can enhance a woman’s physical beauty and make her feel more self-confident.

About Lip Augmentation in NYC

Lip augmentation achieves a look of fuller lips, whether your lips are naturally thin or have lost volume due to the aging process.
Lip augmentation uses dermal fillers to restore volume to your lips and to fill fine lines around the mouth. Dr. Naidu uses various temporary fillers containing hyaluronic acid to add volume and reduce the appearance of fine lines.

How do lip fillers work?

Most injectable lip fillers contain hyaluronic acid, a natural polysaccharide (sugar molecule) that occurs in your body. Hyaluron binds with water molecules, which provides strength and hydration to your cells. Hyaluron decreases as you age, which causes the structure in your lips to decrease and enables lines to form around your mouth.
Each molecule of hyaluronic acid can hold more than 1,000 times its weight in water. In addition to looking smooth and natural, augmented lips also feel natural after the initial swelling has resolved.

Deciding to Have Lip Augmentation in NYC

For many of Dr. Naidu’s patients, the decision to have lip augmentation is not only about their lips, but also about feeling confident and feminine.

Am I a Good Candidate for Lip Augmentation?

You are a good candidate if you have reasonable expectations for your lip augmentation and would like your lips to be fuller and smother. You should also have a healthy lifestyle and not smoke. The best way to determine if you are a good candidate is to schedule a consultation with Dr. Naidu.

Your First Consultation with Dr. Naidu in NYC

The first part of lip augmentation process is a comprehensive consultation in our NYC office. Dr. Naidu will get to know you and your goals.
During your consultation, you will need to tell Dr. Naidu about your medical history and your use of medications, nicotine, alcohol or supplements. She will need to know about any dental issues or problems with your mouth.
Dr. Naidu will conduct a physical examination of your face and neck. At the end of the consultation, Dr. Naidu will let you know if you are a good candidate for lip augmentation and whether it will meet your aesthetic goals. She will educate you about how lip augmentation is performed so that you can make an informed decision. She will never pressure you to schedule the procedure. This can typically be done the same day if desired. We recommend not scheduling your lip augmentation procedure immediately prior to an event given the risks of bruising and swelling.

Lip Augmentation Procedure with Dr. Naidu

Prior to your lip augmentation, you will complete a consent form and photographs will be taken. These photographs are considered part of your medical record and will never be shown to other patients without your written permission.
Your lip augmentation will be performed in our office and will take about 20 minutes. Dr. Naidu will describe the procedure and answer any questions. Your lips will be numbed using a local anesthetic with or without an intra-oral injection, depending upon your sensitivity.
Dr. Naidu will administer the filler into your lips and any fine lines around the mouth with a fine needle. This injection also contains a local anesthetic for your comfort. After the injections, Dr. Naidu will massage your lips for a few minutes and then apply ice. Results are immediately obvious.

Lip Augmentation Recovery

Your lips may be swollen for 24 hours and may be slightly bruised for up to a week. Dr. Naidu recommends that, for the first 24 hours, you avoid any activities which increase blood flow to the face, such as exercise or getting a facial. You can apply ice to your lips to reduce bruising and swelling. The result will last between six months and one year. Patients who exercise intensely may find that their bodies metabolize the material more quickly.

Complications of Lip Augmentation

Lip augmentation with hyaluronic acid is an extremely safe procedure. Because the product is made from hyaluronic acid, which naturally occurs in your body, there is little risk of allergic reaction. Risks can include bleeding, infection or bumps on your lip. If you do not like the look of your augmented lips, the injections can be reversed using an enzyme.
Lip augmentation is both an art and a science. You need to find a practitioner who understands facial anatomy and knows how to create beautiful, natural looking lips that harmonize with your features. Complications following a lip augmentation can be reduced by carefully following Dr. Naidu’s instructions.

Cost of Lip Augmentation in NYC

Please call our NYC office at 212-452-1230 and we will be happy to provide information about the cost of a lip augmentation. Insurance does not cover the cost of lip augmentation.

Choosing Dr. Naidu for Lip Augmentation in NYC

Dr. Naidu completed her undergraduate studies at The Johns Hopkins University and obtained her medical degree from Cornell University Medical College. After completing her general surgery and plastic surgery training at New York Presbyterian – Weill Cornell Medical Center, she performed an additional year of fellowship training at the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Naidu is Board Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Surgery at Weill Cornell Medical College.

Schedule a Lip Augmentation Consultation in NYC

Our office is located at 1021 Park Avenue in NYC. If you’d like to learn more about lip augmentations – and whether the procedure is right for you – please call our office at 212-452-1230 and schedule an appointment.

FAQs: Lip Augmentation (Lip Injections)

After a restylane treatment, I developed bumps on my lips, will these smooth out?

Following lip injections, you may notice minor bumps in the areas that have been injected. You can gently massage these, but even if you don’t, they should generally smooth out within two weeks.

Are there different injection techniques used for different lip shapes?

In general when we’re injecting lips, we inject in a fashion depending upon what we’re trying to correct. If we’re trying to add volume, we’ll inject in a different fashion than if we’re trying to highlight the borders of the lips. So there are different techniques used.

Can silicone be removed from the lips?

Silicone injections to the lips were quite popular 20 to 30 years ago. The unfortunate fact is that they do create a significant amount of scar tissue. It is possible to remove this tissue from the lips, however it can leave deficits in the lips which may then need to be addressed. We recommend being very careful about what’s being injected into your lips, and always, always ask your physician.

Can you feel the filler in the lips after an augmentation?

Following lip augmentation, you typically will not feel the filler. After one to two weeks when the lumpiness resolves, you should not have any sensation of filler at all.

Do men ever get lip fillers injected?

Men do sometimes get their lips injected with fillers. In general, I recommend using a smaller amount than we’d use for women, as going too large can give an overly feminization look to the man’s face, unless that’s the look they’re going for.

What are the different options available for plumping the lips?

The best option for lip augmentation is a hyaluronic acid filler, such as Restylane, Juvederm, Volbella, or Silk. These can be dissolved if too much has been injected. Other options include Radiesse and Bellafill, but these are longer-acting fillers which cannot be removed and are not generally used in the lips.

Which is better for lip plumping, Juvéderm or Restylane?

Both Restylane and Juvéderm are excellent fillers for the lips. Restylane generally gives more volume and fullness, while Juvéderm’s Volbella is better at smoothing out fine lines on and around the lips.

What are the side effects and risks of having a lip augmentation?

Side effects of lip augmentation include swelling, pain, temporary lumps, and mild bruising. There is a risk of tissue necrosis if too much filler is placed or a vessel is injured during injection.

Is there a higher incidence of cold sores following a lip augmentation procedure?

If you have a history of cold sores, let your physician know so that you can be prescribed an anti-viral medication to be taken both before and after your procedure for prevention of recurrent sores.

What is the aftercare following lip injections with Juvederm?

Following lip augmentation, apply ice as needed to reduce the swelling. Avoid red wine and exercise for 24 hours. Avoid pressure on the lips, as from kissing, for 24-48 hours.

How long should I expect to remain swollen after I have my lip filler treatment?

Lips typically are most swollen for 2 days following lip augmentation, and all swelling will be gone by 2 weeks after the procedure.

After a lip augmentation with Restylane, how long does it take for the bumps that develop in the lips to smooth out?

It is normal to feel mild firmness and lumps for about 1 week following lip augmentation. These can be gently massaged out, but typically resolve on their own if they are small.

I would like the corners of my mouth to have an upturn as opposed to the 'frown' I currently have; how can I accomplish this?

To upturn the corners of the mouth, a combination of Botox to the depressor muscles at the corners of the mouth as well as filler to the lips at the corners will produce a more upturned look to the lips.

My lips are crooked; can this be corrected with lip injections?

If your lips are uneven, filler can be placed selectively to increase the smaller side and produce a more symmetric look to the lips.

What can I do to reduce the amount of filler in my lips?

If you would like to reduce the amount of filler in your lips, a medication called hyaluronidase can be injected. This is an enzyme that dissolves hyaluronic acid, and it typically works within 30 minutes.