Lip Augmentation in The Woodlands, Texas, with Dr. W. Marshall Guy
The lips are one of the first thing that draws the eye. They are a sign of youth and beauty, which is why so much time and effort is spent with cosmetics trying to make them appear more attractive. For some, they naturally have a full lip. For others, they lack the volume or shape they desire. As you age the upper lip (between the nose and mouth) beings to elongate. This creates the appearance of a long upper lip, drooping nose, and thin lip. The philtrum (the two columns connecting the lip to the nose) also smooths out. The lack of these two columns leads to the appearance of an aged lip. Finally, the red part of the lip turns inward as a result of shrinking of the upper bones of the mouth making the lip appear thinner.
Read on to learn more about surgical lip augmentation and lip fillers in The Woodlands, TX, with Double Board Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon Dr. W. Marshall Guy. Contact us online or call (832) 956-1040 to get started today!
The ideal lip naturally has certain characteristics. First, it should have a well defined Cupid’s bow. This is the area in the center of the upper lip that has two peaks (at each philtral column) and then comes down in the middle to form a little bow. A telltale sign that someone has been over treated with filler is when this bow disappears and becomes more of a rainbow. Furthermore, the central part of the lip should be more full to settle into a slight depression in the lower lip. On the outsides of the upper lip near the corners, the lip naturally disappears. It should not extend all the way to the edge. The lower lip lacks the bow but as mentioned earlier, has a slight depression centrally with two slight peaks to fill in the areas of the upper lip above. If you read the textbooks, the upper lip should make up 1/3 of what is seen from the front and the lower lip 2/3. In reality, most patients prefer more of a 50:50 ratio. From the side view, the upper lip should stick out just slightly more than the lower lip
View: Lip Augmentation Options
Depending on the degree of change there are various options for correction. These include both non-surgical (fillers) and surgical options including using your own collagen or fat. When it comes to fillers there are three different fillers Dr. Marshall Guy prefers at this time. These include Juvederm Ultra XC®, Restylane Silk®, and Restylane Kysse. Juvederm and Kysse tend to add the most volume and are ideal for patients looking for a more full lip. Silk does a nice job defining the margins of the lip without adding much volume. In any scenario, Dr. Guy takes a conservative approach to lip augmentation. It is easy to add more volume. As a rule of thumb, you should never focus on a set volume but rather a well-defined goal
Lip augmentation surgery can provide a more lasting result but it is not for everyone. Dr. Guy is not a fan of permanent lip implants given the long term risks and complications as well as the unnatural feel. The use of your own collagen, fat, or lifting procedures can be considered in the appropriate candidates. Surgical options include making an incision directly around the mouth. There naturally is a white line around the mouth which blends this incision. However, it may still need to be masked with a lip liner. Another option is making an incision directly below the nose (known as a bull horn incision). This moves the incision away from the mouth but is only able to augment the upper lip. Both can be excellent options depending on your individualized goals of treatment. With the various options, Dr. Guy creates a very natural, youthful look, and not an artificial or “Hollywood” lip. The treatment possibilities can be discussed with Dr. Guy in consultation.
It's Your Time to Look Your Best!
Revision rhinoplasty, or secondary rhinoplasty, is precisely what the name implies, a revision surgery to address your initial rhinoplasty results.
One may undergo a revision rhinoplasty for many reasons:
- The first surgery did not live up to your expectations.
- The scar tissue formed in such a way that led to an undesirable result.
- Trauma occurred in the postoperative period, which affected the final result.
- The original goals of surgery were not realistic based on your anatomy.
Lip Augmentation in The Woodlands - FAQ
A surgical lip lift augmentation creates permanent results.
Most non-surgical lip augmentations last anywhere between six to eight months. We recommend scheduling your treatments every six months to a year for patients who want to achieve year-round plumpness and structure in their lips. For patients who require subtle results, we recommend replenishments on a yearly basis as well. However, every patient is different, so we’ll tailor your treatments according to your unique needs.
For surgical lip augmentation, on average, recovery can last anywhere from one to four weeks, depending on the invasiveness of the surgery.
Since lip fillers are a non-surgical procedure, they don’t require invasive surgical measures like cuts or stitches around the mouth. Some patients may feel slight discomfort during the injection process, but it is usually very tolerable. Most patients report a tiny scratch at the injection site and a tingling sensation as the filler enters the skin. A local anesthetic can also be applied to the area to minimize discomfort for patients who are feeling anxious.
Lip fillers vary depending on how many units of filler are used, so it’s difficult to determine an exact amount. The same is true for your surgical lip lift augmentation. Price is determined by what technique Dr. Guy believes will be the best option for you and the extent to what is involved during your surgery. During your consultation with Dr. Guy, he will thoroughly discuss each component involved in the cost of either your lip fillers or your lip augmentation surgery.
There is no medical reason why you cannot wear lipsticks or lip glosses immediately after your non-surgical lip augmentation. A treatment can leave your lips feeling slightly tender, so we do recommend that you allow a day or two for you lips to settle and the injection site to heal before applying make-up.
If you’ve chosen to have surgical lip augmentation, you will want to wait until any stitches are removed and incisions are fully closed before applying makeup to your lips.
Yes, it is entirely possible for your lip fillers to look completely natural. Natural results are in fact one of Dr. Guy’s primary goals. He’ll study your facial structure and help determine the best amount of filler for your lip augmentation to deliver results that look and feel like you were born with a lush, beautiful pout.
Apart from the negative health issues that come with smoking, there is no reason you wouldn’t be able to smoke after receiving your lip augmentation. However, it is important to keep in mind that although smoking won’t affect the outcome of your treatment, smoking is known to dry out the skin and lips, which can lead to premature signs of aging. We generally advise our patients to refrain from smoking after treatment and quit altogether to prolong the results of their lip augmentation.
A surgical lip lift shortens the distance between the nose and upper lip and increases the amount of visible pink lip, while fillers primarily add volume within the existing lip shape without changing the lip-to-nose length. A lip lift can also refine lip contour and tooth show at rest, whereas fillers are best for subtle plumping and line smoothing.
Some patients choose a surgical lip lift instead of repeat lip filler treatments because it provides longer-lasting results and addresses concerns that fillers cannot, such as shortening the distance between the nose and upper lip and improving tooth show. A lip lift can also enhance lip contour and definition in ways that fillers, which primarily add volume, may not achieve. Additionally, patients who are seeking a more permanent solution or who do not want frequent maintenance appointments often prefer the surgical approach.
You may be a candidate if you have an elongated upper lip, minimal tooth show when you smile, or feel that filler has not given enough definition or lift, but a detailed in-person exam is necessary to confirm this. During consultation, Dr. Guy can assess your existing filler, discuss dissolving if needed, and design a plan that focuses on natural proportion rather than simply increasing size.
Most patients experience swelling, mild bruising, and tightness around the upper lip for the first several days, then see steady improvement over 1 to 2 weeks as stitches are removed and early healing finishes. Final refinement of lip shape and scar camouflage continues over the next few months, and makeup or lip products can usually be resumed after the incision has sealed and your surgeon clears you.
A well planned lip lift hides the incision in the natural crease at the base of the nose, where the transition between nose and lip already creates a shadow and textural change. With meticulous closure and proper aftercare, the scar typically fades significantly over time and can be further disguised with makeup if desired.
Yes, the goal of a surgical lip lift and conservative augmentation is to restore balance rather than create an exaggerated or overfilled look, focusing on proportion to your nose, chin, and teeth. By adjusting lip height and contour instead of only adding volume, many patients achieve a soft, youthful enhancement that still looks like their own features.
A lip lift changes the position and exposure of the upper lip, while implants and fat transfer primarily increase volume within the lips. Some patients benefit from a combination approach, using a lip lift for shape and optional fat or filler for subtle volume tuning, depending on anatomy and goals.
Lip lift surgery is often performed in combination with other facial procedures, such as facelift, eyelid surgery, or chin enhancement, to harmonize lower face proportions and rejuvenation results. Combining procedures can streamline anesthesia and recovery while addressing multiple aging concerns in a single surgical plan.
It is best to allow several weeks to a few months before an important event, since swelling, minor asymmetries, and scar maturation all improve steadily with time. Planning ahead ensures the lips have settled into their more refined final shape and that any residual pinkness at the incision is easier to cover or has faded.
You should review your medical history, previous lip procedures, what you like and dislike about your current lips, and bring example photos that illustrate your ideal shape and level of fullness. This helps Dr. Guy tailor a personalized surgical plan that respects your facial proportions, prioritizes natural looking results, and sets realistic expectations for outcome and recovery.