The lips are one of the most prominent facial features. This has been steadily reinforced by popular culture. From Marilyn Monroe, to Brigitte Bardot to Angelina Jolie, plump lips have been the beauty standard for decades.

Unfortunately, whether due to genetics or aging, your lips may fall somewhat short of meeting that standard. You may have tried lip fillers but were frustrated with having to go in every 12 to 18 months for injections. It is finally time to move up to permanent lip implants, but you still have questions for Dallas, TX plastic surgeon Paul Pin.

One of your major questions, aside from what is actually involved in a permanent lip implant procedure is whether or not you are a good candidate. Below, Dr. Pin discusses some questions you may want to ask yourself in order to determine if a permanent lip implant is a good option for you.

You’ve Tried Lip Fillers

Lip fillers, such as Juvederm, may have filled out your lips in the past, but you have realized that a more permanent way to get fuller lips will better suit your needs. Lip fillers generally last anywhere from 12 to 18 months. The cost of getting the injections does add up over time. In other instances, the lips will start to thin out toward the end of the “life cycle” of a set of injections. A permanent lip implant will prevent your lips from reverting back to their thinner shape and size.

What Is the Cause for Your Thin Lips?

There are two main reasons why your lips might be thinner than you would like. The first is simply genetics. If either of your parents have thin lips, you should not be surprised that you inherited them. The other reason for thinning lips is collagen loss as a result of aging.

Collagen is a protein that your body naturally produces to fill out the body over the skeletal framework. As you get older, your body starts to lose collagen, which is particularly obvious on the face. Either of these causes of thin lips may make you an excellent candidate for a permanent lip implant.

However, if there is significant asymmetry in the shape and size between either the left or right side of your upper or lower lip, you may find that a permanent lip implant may not be the optimal solution, and that sticking with lip filler injections will work better. Additionally, if there is any deformity to your lips, Dr. Pin will recommend an alternative procedure.

Realistic Expectations

You may want lips that look like Angelina Jolie’s, but you should remember that your lips won’t actually end up looking exactly like hers. Your fuller lips will enhance your specific features to improve your overall facial appearance. Having realistic expectations about the outcome from your permanent lip implant procedure will ultimately make you happier with the final outcome from the procedure.

Enhancing your lips will make all the difference in terms of your overall facial appearance.