By Becca Newell
After the twinkling lights and Christmas trees are in place, there are only a few things left to hang to complete your seasonal home décor: stockings along the fireplace and mistletoe over the doorway—the latter of which requires a complementary pair of luscious lips on standby. If yours are on the thinner side, we have some solutions to consider. From fillers to makeup, anyone can have a holiday-ready pout. It’s time to seek out that mistletoe and show off those kissable lips!
Dermal Fillers
The number of procedures to augment one’s lip size totaled a staggering 27,449 in 2015—more than a 40 percent increase since 2000, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. The temporary fix to thinning lips takes hyaluronic acid—a substance present throughout the body that is often used in skincare products to increase moisture and revitalize dull cells—and injects it into the lips to enhance shape, structure, and volume. The 30-minute or so procedure offers little to no downtime and is relatively painless. A small ice pack can be used afterwards to combat any swelling. For those with a low pain threshold, a topical anesthetic can be applied prior to injections or patients can opt for a filler containing lidocaine.
Fillers, like the FDA-approved Restylane and Juvederm, typically last between six to nine months, after which the procedure will need to be redone. Collagen was once the popular choice for lip-plumping, but hyaluronic acid boasts multiple benefits, including control over the amount of substance injected, less uising and swelling post-procedure, and the ability to dissolve any bumps created by lip movement. Additionally, allergic reactions are limited because HA-based fillers are formulated with substances similar to the matter developed naturally by the body.
The average cost of a Hyaluronic Acid dermal filler is $613 According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Most health insurance policies do not cover the procedure, but many plastic surgeons offer patient financing plans.
Permanent Implants
For those seeking a more permanent option for plump lips, implants might be worth the consideration. Synthetic implants, developed with soft, flexible silicone, are threaded into place via a small incision in the corner of the lips. Recovery time is a little longer for permanent implants—potentially lasting up to a week—and a “soft diet” (easily chewable foods or meals that are mashed, chopped, and pureed) may be required for up to ten days afterwards. Additionally, patients should expect some light uising and minimal swelling to occur. Though the end result is referred to as “permanent,” the procedure can be reversed if desired. An alternative to synthetic implants, fat transfers—or fat injections—refer to the removal of a small amount of tissue from the patient, typically from the stomach area, that is re-injected into the lips. Talk about paying it forward! Though some patients prefer the more “natural” approach, fat grafts can be disrupted by normal mouth movement following the procedure, meaning the lips don’t retain the implant as well as other areas of the body retain implanted tissue. Typically, a little less than half of the implanted fat is lost within three to four weeks of the procedure. To prevent too much loss, it’s common for lips to be over-injected.
The average cost for lip implants is $1,630 According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.
The Om é Effect
Makeup is a simple (and pain-free!) solution to thin lips. While an om é lip isn’t exactly a new technique, it’s an effective way to add some dimension and plumpness. You’ll need a lip liner, lip color—choose one with a matte finish if you want to stay on trend—and a little eyeshadow powder, all in a similar hue. Take the liner, which should be the darkest of the three shades, and outline the lips, focusing on filling in the corners of the mouth. Apply the lip color, starting in the center of the lips and layering over the liner to create an om é effect. With a small, flat ush, dab a little eye shadow powder (in the lightest of the three shades) on the center of the lips. For extra volume, use a pigment with some shimmer.
Products We Love
1. Mode's Lip Liner Pencil in Plum, $5, Modecosmetics.com
2. Mode's Virgin Matte Areni Noir Lipstick in Internal Affairs, $12, Modecosmetics.com
3. Mode's Angel Dust Roll On Shimmering Color in Cosmic, $6, Modecosmetics.com
