What are the risks associated with lip enhancement?
Fortunately, significant complications from a lip enhancement are infrequent. You should discuss the risks and potential complications of lip enhancements with your aesthetic plastic surgeon during your consultation and after your procedure to ensure you are on the right track to recovery.
If you’re getting a surgical lip enhancement, know that all surgical procedures have some degree of risk. Some of the potential complications of all surgeries are:
- Adverse reaction to anesthesia
- Hematoma or seroma (an accumulation of blood or fluid under the skin that may require removal)
- Infection and bleeding
- Changes in sensation
- Scarring
- Allergic reactions
- Damage to underlying structures
- Unsatisfactory results that may necessitate additional procedures
Other risks specific to lip enhancement are:
- If you are prone to cold-sores, you are at risk for recurrence. Discuss this with your surgeon, and premedication may be recommended.
- You should avoid silicone injections as they are unsafe and an unacceptable option to use as a filler. These injections are not FDA approved and often offered by unlicensed individuals. Always consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon, preferably a member of The Aesthetic Society, if you have questions about a particular type or brand.
You can help minimize lip enhancement risks by following the advice and instructions of your board-certified aesthetic plastic surgeon, both before and after your surgery.