Cosmetic Lips

cosmetic-lips

One of the ageless hallmarks of beauty in women is full, colored lips.

The sensuality associated with fuller lips has led to many techniques to enhance the appearance and size of lips. In the past women kept lip colors in glass jars on their dressing tables. These jars could not, however, be carried in a purse to be used away from the house. It was not until 1915 that the first portable metal lipstick cartridges were made by the Scovil Manufacturing Co. of Connecticut. About the same time, the expansion of the fledgling film industry made the film stars the ideals of beauty.

Women bought the same lipstick as Clara Bow
and the “cosmetic” lip look was here to stay.

In 1936 Max Factor, who got his start as a Hollywood cosmetician, opened his first beauty salon. He introduced lipstick shades exactly like those worn by the popular actresses of the time. Since then the popularity of lipstick has grown so that it can be found in almost every woman’s purse. With this popularity has grown the demand for the full, rich lip appearance of popular sex symbols such as Marylin Monroe.

In recent years, various techniques of lip enhancement have been developed by plastic surgeons.

Initially, the procedures consisted of lip tattooing for permanent color. Now simply improving the color of the lips and giving the impression of fullness is no longer satisfactory. Many women choose injectable fillers for both the upper and lower lips to increase their appearance. Injectable filler is easily injected in only a few minutes in the office often without the need for any type of anesthesia. The results are immediate and one can go to a social function that night and look great. Injectable fillers are, unfortunately, not permanent. Injectable filler is slowly absorbed by the body and after four to six months the effect of the Injectable fillers is lost.

The results are immediate and one can go to a social function that night and look great.

Plastic surgery allows patients to have their lips augmented permanently with a short in-office procedure. Using only local anesthesia, one can walk out of a plastic surgeon’s office after only a brief procedure with full and enticing lips.

Plastic surgery allows patients to have their lips augmented permanently with a short in-office procedure.

Another procedure utilizes a strip of skin harvested from a scar or other inconspicuous place on the body. This strip of skin is then prepared and tunneled into the lips to increase the volume and fullness. The skin is completely buried in the lips and actually heals into the surrounding tissue to become a permanent living portion of the lip. For those patients who do not want to have skin harvested both Gortex and SoftForm make products which can be inserted into the lips to increase the fullness as well. These, too, are permanent and can give excellent results if done by an experienced surgeon. These are only a few of the options available for cosmetic lip enhancement. The exact procedure which is best suited for any individual can only be determined after a complete and honest discussion with your plastic surgeon. Have questions? Send your questions on cosmetic and plastic surgery to us at our Patterson Street address, or give us a call at 615-327-0201.

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