Lip augmentation, contrary to what people may think, is a very commonly done procedure. Across different cultures, fuller lips, along with high cheekbones and big eyes are associated with beauty in women. According to a study performed in Manchester University, a woman’s lips are the most attractive part of her body. Especially if she’s wearing red lipstick.

What is the ideal lip?

Based on a study published in JAMA Facial Plastic Surgery, the most attractive mouth has an upper lip that’s half as big as the lower lip with a ratio of 1:2. This goes against the current trend of Hollywood celebrities favoring a visibly fuller upper lip.

However, there are multiple other factors to consider rendering the creation of attractive and natural looking lips an aesthetic work of art.

Here are a few key attributes that characterize a beautiful lip:

• The width of the lips should be approximately 40% of width of the lower face
• The ideal lip ratio on the frontal view is 40% upper lip to 60% lower lip (Also known as the golden ratio)
• If you drop lines down the center part of your eyes, your mouth should fit within those lines
• An accentuated Cupid’s Bow
• Viewed from the side, the upper lip will extend beyond the lower lip by a couple of millimetres
• The lower lip has to be thicker in the middle then at the side

Is there only one ideal lip shape?

There are many different lip shapes that may suit you. This depends on various factors including the shape and size of your face. Therefore it is important to first come in for a consultation with our doctors so they may assess you in person.

What is the procedure like?

Before the treatment, the lips are numbed with a special anesthetic cream. Ice packs will also be used to minimize discomfort. Markings may be made to highlight certain points. Following this, a few injections are gently made depending on the treatment goal endpoint. The entire process takes about 10 minutes and is generally very tolerable.

How long will the effects last?

Lip fillers tend not to last as long as fillers in other areas as our lips are extremely mobile. Fillers placed in the lip often breakdown at a faster rate. Other factors that come into play include lifestyle e.g. whether you are a smoker and the amount of filler used. In general, most clients find they last between 6 to 9 months.

What is the downtime like?

Most clients experience temporary swelling lasting 12 to 24 hours that may be alleviated with intermittent ice packs to the area. In rare cases, there may be mild bruising lasting for a few days. Occasionally, some clients may feel lumps in their lips after the treatment. This usually resolves by itself after a few weeks. As reassurance, at Clinic RX, we only use safe and approved hyaluronic acid fillers, which can be easily dissolved or reversed if the need arises.