Plastic Surgeon Daniel Ronel, M.D.

Injectable lip augmentation

Volume loss of the lips occurs naturally with time, and replacing this volume can result in a more youthful appearance. By strategically injecting dermal fillers into parts of the lip and surrounding areas, the lips are plumped up and surrounding wrinkles are reduced. Filling around the lips may be just as important as filling the lips themselves: for example, the corners of the mouth can be lifted with the filler to decrease the appearance of sadness - the goal is to create a balance and harmony of the lips with the area that surrounds them.

Dr. Ronel currently uses Juvederm and Artefill because of their excellent safety profile and silkiness. Juvederm lasts about 6 months to one year, and Artefill lasts several years. Both fillers may require a touch-up procedure a few weeks after the initial injection.

Implant (permanent) lip augmentation

For those who do not want to undergo repeated lip injection, Dr. Ronel uses an innovative saline lip Implant by Evera. He is the only physician in New Mexico who performs the procedure.

The implant is a saline-filled chamber wrapped in an ultra-thin biocompatible Teflon cover. Conceptually, it is a merging of the technology used in implants for breast augmentation and the balloon catheters used in coronary angioplasty. Unlike earlier, harder lip implants, this new saline-filled chamber behaves like a fluid, and actually moves with the natural motion of the lip. It feels soft while giving improved volume and shape.

The implant is placed via a minimally invasive procedure in the office under the same local anesthesia used for injectable fillers. The procedure takes only about 20 - 30 minutes. Pain is minimal, the swelling takes several days to disappear, and lipstick can be applied within a week.