You've seen the trends. From big duck lips to Russian lips, to the lip pop and baby lips. Definitions change from injector to injector, but if we know anything about trends they're just that: TRENDS. Trends come and go, but elegant facial balance is timeless. Classic. It involves the art of subtlety, a deep understanding of facial anatomy, and an injector committed to enhancing your natural features, not contorting them to match society's beauty standards or create a Kardashian face.

The lips remain an area on the face that divides the aesthetic industry. We get it. We're in Texas where many believe that bigger is better, but such is not the case with lips. Here at Dr. John Burns plastic surgery, we take a natural approach to lip rejuvenation. This means we only use the safest products, and we believe the best injectable is undetectable. What most people should notice about you is your refreshed, hydrated, and youthful appearance.

As the field of aesthetic medicine evolves, our techniques and products will follow. Whether you’re considering lip fillers, fat transfer, or other procedures, both knowing and understanding your options is key to achieving a look that enhances your natural beauty while maintaining all of the features that make you unique.

Let's review the options you'll have when you visit with our team about the best way to enhance your lips.

Dermal Lip Fillers: The Primary Product for Augmenting Lips

Lip fillers are the most popular choice for lip augmentation due to their effectiveness and versatility. The primary substance used in these fillers is hyaluronic acid (HA), a naturally occurring molecule in the body that helps retain moisture and adds volume. HA fillers are favored for their ability to provide a plump and hydrated appearance while being relatively low-risk compared to other methods.

Our Top 3 FDA-Approved HA Fillers

• Volbella: Known for its smooth texture and subtle results, Volbella is ideal for patients seeking a natural enhancement. Its formulation allows for fine-tuning lip shape and volume, making it a great choice for delicate and precise augmentation. We love this one for defining the vermillion border of the lips that can flatten with age.
• Juvederm: This line includes several products tailored to different needs. Juvederm Ultra and Juvederm Ultra Plus are thicker and offer more volume, while Juvederm Volbella, similar to its namesake, focuses on subtlety and definition. Our patients love the pillowy volume and hydration they get when being injected with Juvederm.
• Restylane Kysse: This filler offers a natural feel and flexible movement. It’s designed to enhance lip volume while maintaining a natural appearance, making it suitable for those who want a more dynamic, kissable look. Kysse continues to be a top product for our lip augmentation patients.

Fat Transfer: A Natural Alternative

Fat transfer, or fat grafting, is where Dr. Burns will take unwanted fat from one part of your body (such as the abdomen or thighs) and inject it into your lips for shaping and filling. This method is appealing because it repurposes unwanted fat, making it a win/win for women and men alike. Since fat doesn't pull water, there's much less risk of nodules and irregularities like you might see with dermal fillers. And since the donor is also the recipient, there's virtually no risk of allergic reactions or rejection of the fat. Excess fat not used in the lips can be strategically placed in other facial areas to improve volume and contour. Dr. Burns uses micro fat for contouring the lips with precision so that you get a natural-looking and natural-feeling result.

The one thing to keep in mind here is that fat transfer to lips is a bit more involved, and requires a longer recovery time compared to HA fillers.

Learn More: Facial Fat Grafting with Micro and Nano Fat

Hyaluronidase: Correcting Issues with Hyaluronic Acid Fillers

While HA fillers are generally safe, complications such as lumps, nodules, or overfilled areas can occasionally occur. Hyaluronidase is an enzyme that can dissolve hyaluronic acid fillers, allowing for correction and adjustments. This means that if a filler is not performing as expected, hyaluronidase can help refine the results or completely dissolve unwanted filler.