Lip augmentation is intended to create a fuller look to the lips, it also can reduce fine wrinkles around the mought.  Different substances are used for this purpose, sintetic or from the patient (with fat removed from another area and placed in the lips).  

Before                After

The Procedure

For lip augmentation, a compatible material with the patient is injected in the lips, it can be natural or sintetic.  The results are inmediately visible, but they may be not permanent as the material is absorbed by the body.  Some materials are created not to be absorbed by the body or to make this process slower.  You may need periodic injections to mantain the results.   Another technique, laser lip rejuvenation tightens the collagen and elastic tissue which is naturally placed beneath the lips.

The materials may be:

• Autologen:  Implant material made from the patient's skin. 
• Collagen: It has a short effect, from 9 to 12 weeks
• Fat:  It has longer results than collagen, but it is unpredictable and can lead to scarring in some cases.
• Dermalogen:  From donor tissue, injectable human tissue matrix (HTM) is used, don't require donnor tissue from the patient.
• Fascia:  The dense connective tissue supporting muscles can be used as donor material.
• Hylaform:  Is a crystal clear injectable gel based on hyaluronic acid, a substance found naturally in the body.
• Radiance:  Is a calcium hydroxilapatite material.
• Restylane:  Another crystal clear injectable gel also based on hyaluronic acid.

Results

The results in lip augmentation can be seen inmediately, but they may be temporal according to the material used.  Return to normal activites takes from one day in the nonsurgical procedures (when only injections are required and done under local anesthesia/sedation) to one week for surgical procedures (the ones requiring donnor tissue, etc.).   

Swelling or bruising will become better in about 3 to 7 days 

If you want just to experiment but not completely sure to commit with the results you can go for an option as collagen or fat injections, it will give you a fuller look to your lips and will be absorbed by your body.

Posible Risks

There is a risk for allergic reactions, rejection of the material, bleeding, infection, lip asymmetry and migration or extrusion of the implant.  You may need reaction test for materials as collagen at least 1 month before the treatment and if you are allergic to lidocaine (local anesthetic) you shoul avoid this kind of procedure because this is the main anesthetic used for all the materials used in lip augmentation.