Lush, volumized lips always seem to be in fashion. If you naturally have smaller lips and are feeling left out of the look, there are some simple, in-office treatments that can make them look voluminous without much effort. While fillers have long been a go-to solution, they are no longer the only option available. Some patients prefer neuromodulators from our Nashville office, where we can use BOTOX® to give the lips a fuller, more defined appearance. The right choice for you depends on the type of look you want to achieve. Here’s what you can expect from two of the most popular minimally invasive options:

Lip Fillers

Hyaluronic acid-based fillers are typically the choice for anyone who wants to add more volume to their lips in a noticeable way. These fillers have a smooth, gelatinous texture and contain a substance called hyaluronic acid, which holds onto large amounts of water. When the filler is injected below the surface on your lips, it blends in and acts as substitute for lost collagen and fat, giving you a plumper pout.

For those who want an even fuller appearance, JUVEDERM® Ultra XC will provide a more dramatic increase, while VOLBELLA® XC is a thinner, lighter filler that is better for more subtle results, correcting fine lines around the lips, and refining smaller areas to alter the lip shape. Results from fillers tend to last longer than results from neuromodulators.

BOTOX®

BOTOX® has a very different effect from lip fillers. Neuromodulators are usually used for relaxing muscles to reduce wrinkles, and that same idea is what powers a BOTOX® lip flip. When there’s less tension in the hyperactive muscles surrounding the upper lip, the lip unfurls slightly so that its natural shape is enhanced. Even though you aren’t physically adding anything to the lips to make them bigger, your upper lip doesn’t “retreat” as much, so it appears to be slightly fuller.

This treatment is referred to as a “flip” because your upper lip literally flips out. This is ideal for the patient who simply wants to quickly get the look of a subtle size increase or improve the shape of their upper lip without having to use fillers. In most cases, only a tiny amount of BOTOX® is needed. This option can also be used to soften perioral lines.

Want more advice on BOTOX® and other non-surgical alternatives like dermal fillers? Talk to our team at Nashville Plastic Surgery Institute by calling 615-932-7700, or request a consultation by submitting a contact form.