The Kylie Jenner Challenge
By now, most people have heard about the “Kylie Jenner Challenge.” If you happen to be one of the lucky ones who hasn’t, it’s the latest Kardashian Craze. Apparently, Twitter has been going crazy with posts and photos of people who are sucking on bottles or shot glasses in an attempt to plump their lips to look more like the star. She initially denied that she has had any lip enhancements, but has recently come out saying that she has had her lips injected.
The idea behind suction for lip enhancement is that it increases the blood flow to the lips, causing them to plump. The problem with this is that the suction also causes bruising in addition to the swelling and can cause more severe issues like infection and necrosis (tissue death), which can lead to permanent deformity. The bottom line is that this is a very dangerous way to “augment” your lips.
There are multiple products on the market to enhance your lips safely. Makeup is a great option to bring out your lips. Lip liners and shiny glosses can make your lips appear larger. There are also topical products that can produce a temporary plumping using ingredients like menthol (which also increase your blood flow, but in a much safer manner).
Other minimally invasive treatments give a longer lasting and more significant augmentation. Hyaluronic acid fillers can give increased volume for up to 6 months. Because we move our lips so often, the filler tends to be reabsorbed quicker from this area than from other sites in the face. Most physicians opt to use a finer gel when filling the lips for a more natural look and feel. The downside to the finer gel is that it produces a shorter duration of results (some of the thick gels can give up to 18 months of augmentation, but feel much less natural). My favorite products for filling the lips are Restylane Silk (which is also FDA approved for filling vertical lip lines) and Juvéderm Ultra.
Fat Transfer is another great option for achieving the lip enhancement that you desire. The lower abdomen and inner thighs provide some of the best fat to use for transfer. These areas are rich in nutrients and stem cells. At Imagen, we perform all our fat transfers using PRP (platelet rich plasma). PRP fat transfers provide an “enrichment” of the fat with necessary nutrients and thus provide a longer lasting, natural looking result.
Many people worry about over enhancement when getting their lips filled. Be sure that you are seeing a doctor who has extensive experience filling lips. It is also good to keep in mind that you can always add more filler if you desire more plumping, so it is good to start slow, especially your first time. Beautiful, natural looking augmentation can be the result when your doctor has the right combination of artistry and experience.
To see actual before and after photos of our lip augmentation patients, visit our Gallery. If you would like to schedule a complimentary consultation to discuss lip augmentation options, please Contact Us or call our office at 402-509-8473.
Photo images courtesy of twitter.com
Jennifer Tighe de Soto, MD is a cosmetic surgeon who is board certified through the American Academy of Aesthetic Medicine. For more advice from Dr. de Soto on body sculpting and other aesthetic treatments please visit www.omahaliposuction.com where you can read her blog and see before and after photos of actual patients. 
