Lip Plumper - History

History

Full lips with an accentuated border have often been associated with beauty and youth. Tribal peoples worldwide have introduced various materials into and through the upper and lower lips of both genders to enhance beauty. The perceived ideal size of lips has varied over time and in different cultures; the current trend in developed western countries is towards thinner lips. It has been suggested that this is because the lips occupy both sides of the face and, with the smile, constitute a major focal point of overall facial beauty. One of the effects of human aging is atrophy of facial fat, including the lips. In cultures in which youth is prized, this can translate as no longer attractive, and hence undesirable. Procedures to enlarge lips can also reduce the fine lines and wrinkles above the top lip, often referred to as "smoker's lines."

Around 1900, surgeons tried injecting paraffin into the lips without success. Liquid silicone was used for lip augmentation, starting in the early 1960s but was abandoned thirty years later due to general—and later, unfounded—fears about the effects of silicone on general health.

About 1980, injectable bovine collagen was introduced to the cosmetic surgery market and became the standard against which other injectable fillers were measured. However, that collagen does not last very long and requires an allergy test, causing the patient to wait at least three weeks before another appointment, after which more waiting is required to see cosmetic results.

Currently, fillers containing hyaluronic acid like Restylane and Juvederm have captured the attention of consumers and physicians in Europe, North America, South America and Australia.