Lip Augmentation... Enhancement... Enlargement Procedures & Surgery for Fuller Plump Lips.

Lip Augmentation… Lip Enhancement .. If you are looking to Enhance the size and shape of your lips with Procedures or Surgery you should first understand what makes aesthetically beautiful, full, plump lips. Dr. Francis Palmer, a world-renowned Beverly Hills Plastic & Cosmetic Surgeon based in Los Angeles is the developer of the “Palmer Beauty Principles”^TM that identify, describe and quantify human beauty. These principles were recently featured in People Magazine’s 50 Most Beautiful People and have been featured numerous times, in the media. More importantly, the “Palmer Beauty Principles” allow you to understand what Beautiful Lips should look like before you have Lip Augmentation or Enhancement Surgery. According to Dr. Palmer’s Beauty Principles, the Lips are the 3^rd most important facial beauty feature accounting for 7% of your overall beauty. The lips have the ability to soften the entire face and can enhance the face when the chin and or nose have features that are not aesthetically pleasing. “Let me be clear…if the nose or chin could be aesthetically improved, but this is difficult for any reason (previous surgeries, trauma, lack of time or finances) then procedures/surgery that Augments, Enhances and Enlarges the Lips so they are Fuller and more Plump will soften and improve the overall appearance of the face.”…Dr. Francis R. Palmer, III. Hoolywood and the taste makers have long understood the beauty power of a perfect set of lips. Read some of the media comments on Dr. Francis Palmer’s ability to make beautiful lips with Augmentation, Enhancement and Enlargement Procedures/Surgery.

"one of America’s most famous plastic surgeons"-New Zealand Woman
"It’s not just faces that Dr. Palmer can transform"-London Daily Express
"new procedure to increase the size of lips"- "famous surgeon"-Miami Weekly
"a surgical technique pioneered in America"- "the ultimate in lip enhancement operations"-London Daily Mail
"a revolutionary style of lip implant"-London Daily Express
"you simply can’t afford to make a mistake with cosmetic surgery, so get the best"- Tatler Magazine

These are but a few of the many honors bestowed on Francis R. Palmer, III, M.D., by the international media, for his ground-breaking principles on beauty. (Read more media quotes on Dr. Francis Palmer.) Relying on his inherent artistic vision and aesthetic judgment, Dr. Palmer has literally defined "beauty", identified its most important components and shown how these differ with gender. "Only when one has the God-given ability to recognize beauty and its’ most important elements-does one have the knowledge and talent necessary to recreate it. Natural beauty is simply a work of art."…Dr. Francis R Palmer, III.
Full….plump pouty lips...
The power to create a beautiful impression...

Men and women’s lips are aesthetically very similar. Both look best with full plump lips that give a soft, sensual appearance to the mouth. This is perceived as soft and gentle-in stark contrast to the thin or asymmetric lips that exude a sense of being stern, mean or untrustworthy.

Ideal lips have a certain size and shape. On profile, the lips should have a gentle S-shaped curve between the lips and chin-with a 4mm depression existing between these two structures. The illustration shows this relationship. Although, the nose and chin typically set the strength of your profile, Lip Augmentation does have the ability to add balance to this area. Enhancing the size and shape of the lips may aesthetically improve the entire lower 1/3 of the face.

Arrow indicates the 4mm groove that should exist between the lips and the chin on profile. Lip Augmentation/Enhancement/Enlargement Surgery may help achieve a better balanced more aesthetic profile. Ideally shaped lips have other characteristics according to the “Palmer Beauty Principles” developed by Dr. Francis Palmer and these should be the cornerstone for planning Lip Augmentation and Enhancement Procedures or Surgery. If these Aesthetic principles are violated, the lips may appear to large or out of balance with the entire face resulting in a less desirable outcome for the Lip Augmentation.

Vertical lines imaginably drawn down from the inner colored portion of the eyes delineate the overall size of the lips. The upper lip should be no more than 75% the size of the lower lip. This assures that there is an overall pout to the lips-no matter how plump or full they are. Should this aesthetic ratio be violated-the lips will look out of proportion and the entire mouth will appear quite oddly shaped. It is typical to loose mass in the lips with age there by giving the illusion that the upper lip, or more precisely the space between the upper lip and the nasal tip, has become elongated. This gives the lower face an aged and stern look that is not aesthetically pleasing. The sole purpose of Lip Augmentation, Lip Enhancement or Lip Enlargement Procedures is to add volume and mass to the lips that otherwise appear to small and thin.

If you don’t have perfectly shaped lips-don’t despair. There are several methods of augmenting or plumping up the lips to achieve a soft and natural appearance. These can be organized into two types of Lip Augmentation Procedures, ones using injectable materials and those requiring a surgical procedure to Enhance the size and shape of the Lips. Let’s look at each of these Lip Augmentation Methods:

Lip Augmentation/Enhancement using Injectable Materials:

Restylane®: Lips can be Augmented, Enhanced and Enlarged using this material that is injected along the borders of the lip (Vermillion Border is the edge of the lips where the red portion of the lip meets the skin). This material is Collagen derived from bacteria and as such does not require skin testing before treatment. Treating the lips for augmentation entails an office treatment where Restylane is injected along the borders of the lips for Augmentation. The effects last several months after which time the injections need to be repeated to maintain the augmentation and enhancement.
Collagen®: Lips can be Enhanced or Augmented by injecting any of the various forms of Collagen into the lip borders. Dr. Palmer, and his staff, will discuss the various types of Collagen available and help you choose the one that best fits your needs. Currently, Lips are Augmented using Zyderm1, Zyderm2, Zyplast, Cosmoderm and Cosmoplast. The Zyderm products are derived from Cow collagen and require skin tests for a possible allergic response for 1 full month prior to any treatment. The Cosmoderm products are derived from human collagen and do not require a skin test prior to treatment. The treatment consists of an office visit where the collagen is injected into the borders of the lips. The lip augmentation lasts for several months and must be repeated to maintain the enhancement. Collagen® is a simple, quick and easy way to temporarily plump up the lips. Recently, Collagen® has been limited to injections along the vermillion border (red-white line around the lips). Never the less Collagen® remains a tried and true method of reliably augmenting thin lips.
Fibril®: A gelatin that is mixed with the patients own blood to form a mixture that is then injected into the tissues. This was typically used for people who were allergic to Collagen, but recent Human forms of Collagen and Hylauronic Acid products have been developed.
Silicone: Pure medical grade silicone is applied in micro-droplets into the lips. The silicone becomes surrounded by collagen and creates Augmentation and Enhancement of the lips. Some experts caution consumers on having silicone injected into their tissues. Be sure that the silicone is medical grade and that you understand the risks and benefits if you are considering this option for your Lip Augmentation or Enhancement.
Cymetra®: This is processed human tissue that is injected into the lips to create Augmentation of the lips. This is an injectable form of Alloderm. Dr. Francis Palmer believes that Alloderm in the sheet form offers longer lasting Lip Augmentation and Enhancement.
Sculptra® and Radiesse® are mentioned so that you are aware that they are available but these have not been recommended for Lip Augmentation, Enhancement or Enlargement.

Lip Augmentation/Enhancement Surgery:

If a longer lasting Lip Augmentation/Enhancement is desired, a surgical procedure may be considered.

Alloderm®: Dr. Francis Palmer’s top choice for longer lasting Lip Augmentation is Alloderm sheets. Dr. Palmer has performed many of these procedures over the past 10 years and is the senior author of several scientific papers on using Alloderm for Lip Augmentation. Alloderm is processed dermis from human skin that is chemically treated to remove all the cellular elements leaving a fibrous framework. The Alloderm (tissue framework) comes freeze dried and is reconstituted, at the time of the Lip Augmentation, using sterile saline (salt water). In Dr. Francis Palmer’s opinion, it is the fact that this material is a framework and not living tissue that adds to its predictability and reliability versus tissue transfer procedures for Lip Augmentation. The Alloderm becomes soft and supple. Dr. Palmer folds the Alloderm and places a dissolvable suture to maintain the desired shape. A local anesthetic (like Novacaine) is injected into the lips. Small entry sites are placed in each corner of the lips and the red portion of the lip is gently elevated and lifted off of the underlying lip muscle. The rolled, soft Alloderm is then placed across the lips in the elevated layer. Alloderm, in Dr. Palmer’s opinion, is the premier Lip Augmentation material as it leaves the lips soft, supple and naturally enhanced and augmented. This fibrous tissue framework is ideally suited for the thin tissues of the lips. When properly placed beneath the exposed red portion, Alloderm® gives the lips a soft natural fullness. There is no change to the sensation or movement of the mouth and the Alloderm® is generally undetectable within the lips. For these reasons it remains, in Dr. Palmer’s opinion, the premier material for natural looking lip enhancement. Dr. Palmer has performed fat transfers and other types of tissue transfers and does not believe that they give the same results. Read some of the media comments on this procedure at the top of this page (click here). The amount of Lip Augmentation is determined by the amount of Alloderm used. This is typically measured in sheets of Alloderm or percents of a sheet that is used. For example, the upper lip may receive 50% of 1 sheet while 75%, of 1 sheet, is used for the lower lip. The maximum amount that Dr. Palmer has used to Augment the Lips is 1 full sheet for each lip however, if further Lip Enhancement is desired, additional Alloderm can be placed after 1 month to further Enhance or Enlarge the lips. The effects last for up to 7 years and as previously mentioned, may be repeated for further Lip Augmentation.
Gortex®: This is a man made synthetic material that has been used as an implant to Augment the lips, nose and soft tissues of the face. Dr. Francis Palmer used Gortex threads placed within the body of the Lip for Lip Augmentation for numerous years and performed many procedures. Dr. Francis Palmer believes that Alloderm gives a more natural, soft and reliable Augmentation to the Lips and does not use Gortex for Lip Enhancements. Gortex comes as threads and implants that are solid or hollow and many go by different names like Softform. Look for the material, the abbreviation used is ePTFE. Dr. Francis Palmer is senior author of a scientific paper that compared Alloderm to Gortex for Lip Augmentation using a retroactive clinical study and found Alloderm to have fewer side effects and complications after the Lip Augmentation Surgery. Here is a brief explanation of hoe Gortex works in Lip Augmentation. The lips are numbed using a Novacaine-like substance and the Gortex may be introduced in several ways depending on the type of Lip Enhancement that is desired. Gortex threads may be placed through the center of the lip muscle for Augmentation of the entire lip. Softform, which is a hollow tube of Gortex, may be placed along the Vermillion border of the lip and comes with its own needle delivery system. Two or three pieces of Softform are typically used for each lip border (top or bottom lip). There is a solid Gortex lip implant, but these may not be approved depending on the country in which you obtain your Lip Augmentation Surgery. Dr. Francis Palmer felt that several important factors came into play when using Gortex for lip Augmentation. One, Gortex is a bit firm and there is an inherent limit to the amount of Lip Augmentation that can be obtained using this material before the lip becomes somewhat hard. Consider this. The lip is a tubular structure and the Gortex is being placed within this tube to Enlarge the Lips. A tube within a tube so to speak. Commonsense tells us that there is a limit to the size of the inner tube, or the Lip Augmentation that can be performed without making the outer tube (lips) hard. This is indeed what we expect when using Gortex threads or solid implants within the center of the lips for Lip Augmentation. Even when using Softform along the border, of the lips, hardness may result if to large a piece is used. Some of you may ask “why is the Gortex placed deep and not more superficial?”. This is a good question. Because the lips are moving, the Gortex may become superficial and the white color of the material is seen through the skin or it may even erode through the skin completely. For these reasons, in Dr. Francis Palmer’s opinion, Gortex should be placed deep within the lip tissues when performing Lip Augmentation or Enhancement Surgery.
Autologous -Fat Transfer: Lip Augmentation can be performed by injecting your own fat into your lips. Fat is removed using liposuction from an area, processed (washed) and re-injected into the body of the lip. The issues with this Lip Augmentation Procedure is the viability and reliability of the injected fat. For instance, let’s say that it’s decided that your upper lip should be 75% Enlarged and your lower lip should be Augmented to 100% its current size. Once the fat is injected into the lip, how much will remain and for how long. That is what’s meant by reliability. It’s the ability to predict the desired Lip Augmentation effect or outcome on a consistent basis. Some experts believe that fat Injections last, others do not.
Fascia Lata Transfer: Fascia is the tough outer covering of muscles that has been used for Lip Augmentation. This can be done as an office procedure where the muscle is injected with Novacain and a small strip of the fascia is removed. The fascia is then placed under the red portion of the lip to Augment, Enhance and Enlarge the size of the lips. As with fat transfer, it’s the predictability and reliability of the fascia that is in question. Experts may differ on their opinion of using fascia for your Lip Augmentation.
Dermal tissue transfer: This is another example of a type of tissue transfer to the lips to create Augmentation and Enhancement. In this case a segment of skin is removed and the dermal layer is isolated and removed. The dermal layer is then placed through the lip tissues to create the Lip Augmentation. As with all tissue transfers, predictability and reliability are the main concerns when using these materials for Lip Augmentation.

If you are interested in Lip Augmentation...Enhancement…or Enlargement and are looking for semi-permanent solutions to thin lips, this will involve the placement of some type of reliable tissue into the lips. Dr. Palmer believes that Alloderm® is the gold standard of all of these materials.

Recovery

There is minimal, if any, bruising, swelling or discomfort. The patient is advised to eat a soft diet and limit the use of their mouth for about 1 week. Ice, applied to the lips, will decrease any swelling that may occur.

Indications for Lip Augmentation/Enhancement/Enlargement Procedures and Surgery are:

Thin Lips
Asymmetry of the lips….one lip is smaller than the other beyond the ideal aesthetic limits.
Small amount of red portion of the lip(s) visible
Area(s) of the lips are not full and plump…in some instances, this may require a V to Y procedure where the red portion of the lip is advanced to eliminate indentations of the lip shape. Dr. Francis Palmer prefers to perform any V to Y procedure after the lips have been augmented to their ideal size as this often eliminates the need for the V to Y completely.

Men and women’s lips are aesthetically very similar. They look best with full plump lips that give a soft, sensual appearance to the mouth. This is perceived as soft and gentle-in stark contrast to thin or asymmetric lips that exude a sense of being stern, mean or untrustworthy. Lip Augmentation should be performed in a subtle and artistic manner. Beverly Hills Plastic and Cosmetic Surgeon, Francis R. Palmer III, M.D. has the aesthetic judgment necessary to perform this challenging procedure. Why don’t have the full plump lips that you’ve always wanted? Ever-Full^® Lip Augmentation is Dr. Francis Palmer’s trademarked Lip Augmentation Procedure that has achieved world-wide media acclaim. Whether you are from Los Angeles, Orange County, Beverly Hills or one of our out of State or out of country patients seeking Lip Augmentation, Dr. Francis palmer has something to offer you to Enhance your Lips.

Lip Augmentation Pictures and Photos…