Wait. Lip reduction? Given the trend toward poutier is better, you might be surprised that this surgery exists at all.
After all, lip filler is one of the most popular cosmetic enhancements out there, and everyone seems to want larger, fuller lips.
An Asian Craze
The procedure is actually seeing the most popularity in Asia. The reason behind the seemingly odd procedure is that women want to emulate traditionally Caucasian facial features–which includes generally thinner lips.
But the trend’s spread to the United States because of the cultural backlash against overdone lips.
Ironically, those with larger lips don’t want to be put in the same group as those getting lip fillers to look like Kim Kardashian–to the point that they would prefer light surgery in order to not be lumped together.
How the Procedure Is Done
We don’t often think about it, but our lips have a wet-dry line where the lips make contact with each other and form the wall to the inner part of the mouth.
When lip reduction surgery is performed, an incision is made at this line. The lip is then curled inward to reduce its size. And with that, the “pout” of the vermilion is reduced
The surgery takes about 15 to 30 minutes per lip, and the recovery period is about a week of healing.
Meanwhile, surgery costs can start at around $1000. You might notice this is quite a bit more expensive than filler. Besides demand, that might simply be due to the fact that fillers are just injectables, whereas lip reduction is a full, albeit light, surgical procedure.
If you’re interested in lip reduction surgery, you might want to know what your options are for contouring your face to the aesthetics you want: surgical, filler or otherwise.
If you want to know more, call Washingtonian Plastic Surgery to schedule an appointment with Dr. Navin Singh.