This procedure uses synthetic or biological products or surgical restructuring to enhance the lips. Lip augmentation is recommended for persons with small, deflated lips, asymmetry, reconstructive needs, drooping or sagging upper lip, lack of colour, wrinkling from smoking or aging and other complaints.

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a naturally occurring sugar that holds onto water in the skin making it plump. It gives the skin its volume. Aged skin has a decreased amount of HA and no pre-test is necessary because it occurs naturally in the body. Hylaform, Restylane, Juvederm, and Esthelis are examples of HA containing products. Collagen is the most common protein in the human body and provides structure to the skin. It is ideal for making the border of the lip (vermillion border) stand out. It is often combined with a HA filler in the body of the lip. Both HA and collagen are temporary fillers.

For a more permanent filler, your own fat is ideal and is usually harvested from the abdomen, thighs, hips and buttocks. Fat transfer ('structural fat grafting') uses small amounts of fat, microinjected in layers to gradually plump up the lip with specialised instrumentation and techniques. Fat transfer to the lip area is a safe, natural, non-allergenic procedure designed to recontour and provide definition. Since fat transfer uses your own fat cells, you can never have an allergic reaction, because it's from your own body.