The Ultimate Guide to Lip Augmentation

Last fact-checked: 18 February 2020

To achieve fuller, plumper-looking lips, an array of surgical and non-surgical options are available as part of lip augmentation (or “lip enhancement”) treatment. Overseas clinics are often considerably less expensive than at home, so why not take advantage of the savings and book a vacation too? 

Discover more about lip augmentation with Medical Departures, including the types of procedures involved, prices, top medical tourism destinations and how to book your free-to-cancel appointment through our site. 

Am I Suitable for Lip Augmentation?

Lip enhancement procedures are designed to give you fuller, more youthful-looking lips. As we get older, our lips become thinner as collagen and hyaluronic acid (the things that make our skin and soft tissues strong and firm) production decreases. This can be reversed with a range of lip enhancement treatments, like fillers, as well as more permanent options, like implants. 

These treatments are for men or women of any age (above 18) if you just want a fuller, sexier pout.

What Does Lip Augmentation Involve?

This is down to the particular treatment you decide on and whether it’s surgical or non-surgical (typically using products that are injected into the lips):

Surgical Lip Augmentation:

• Lip Lift – This is done to increase the upper lid by making an incision under the nose. The skin between the upper lip and nose is then shortened by pulling it up, removing a small section, and stitching it under the nose. This method can also be used on downward-turning mouths by making incisions either side of the mouth.

• Lip Implant – Incisions are made in the corners of the mouth where the implants (either natural or synthetic) are inserted.

• Dermal Graft – Fat-grafts from deeper layers of the skin are inserted under the lip lining through incisions made inside the mouth.

• Vermillion Advancement – By removing a thin strip of skin around the colored part of the lips, the lips are stretched slightly when joined back to the remaining skin, increasing their size. Scars are hidden in the lip line.

Do note: These results are long-lasting and often difficult to remove, even with more surgery—so it’s important to be sure that this option is for you. Looking at before and after photos online can help, or you can always opt for temporary fillers to test out the look beforehand.

Non-Surgical Lip Enhancement Treatments:

Injection treatments add volume and can be permanent or temporary. The most popular are:

• Fat transfer method – where fat is removed from another part of the body, cleansed and injected into the lips. It is usually done if you are having liposuction in another area.

• Fillers – New products are coming to market constantly, and they may be made from natural or biocompatible materials as well as synthetic. They usually go by brand names, such as Juvederm or Restylane. Results are temporary so you will need to maintain regular treatments if you want to keep your lip volume.

Do note: If you want to maintain your enhanced lips, certain temporary treatments will require top-ups every few months or so; on the upside of this, if you aren’t too keen on the effect, your lips will return to their natural size in time. 

What Is the Recovery Time for Lip Augmentation Procedures?

Downtime is minimal, especially for the injection treatments and you can usually return to your normal routine immediately. The surgical options take longer to recover from, but most people are able to return to work after a few days.

When having lip augmentation or enhancement surgery abroad, remember to consult with your chosen surgeon and ask about how long you’ll need to stay in the country. This way, you can book flights without having to worry about changing your return date.  In general, you will be advised to stay for a couple of days in case you need to go back for any reason. 

How Much Can I Save on the Cost of Lip Augmentation Abroad?

Again, prices do vary depending on what procedure you have. However, as a guideline, surgical lip augmentation procedures cost on average:

• $700 in The Philippines

• $650 in Thailand 

• $1,500 in Mexico

[Please note: these prices are approximate estimates based on international data, calculated at the time of writing.]

Recommended Clinics:

Here are some top lip augmentation clinics around the world that are experienced in treating international patients

• Yanhee Hospital Health & Beauty (Bangkok, Thailand)

• Beverly Wilshire Medical Centre (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)

• Dr. Ali Riza Oreroglu Aesthetic Clinic (Istanbul, Turkey)

Click through to see prices, before and after photos, surgeon profiles and discover how easy it is to book with Medical Departures. 

How Do I Get Started?

A good place to start would be to look through our full list of lip augmentation clinics around the world. You can also use our search function to narrow down your choice to specific countries or cities. 

To book, contact Medical Departures’ Customer Care Team or use our online booking system that can be reached via any of our clinic listings. 

Sources:

Lip Augmentation. WebMD. 22 January 2018.
https://www.webmd.com/beauty/cosmetic-procedures-lip-augmentation" target="_blank

Facial fillers for wrinkles. Mayo Clinic. 1 January 2020.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/facial-fillers/about/pac-20394072" target="_blank

Elliot, Brianna. Top 6 Benefits of Taking Collagen Supplements. Healthline. 6 April 2018. 
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/collagen-benefits" target="_blank