LAM FACIAL PLASTICS

Hi Dr. Lam,

I am 19 years old and have a very thin upper lip. I really would like to get Restylane injections, but the issue is that I am hesitant because I have a longer philtrum and have read that lip injections for people with long upper lips come out looking very fake- something I don't at all desire. I was wondering if getting the border of my upper lip injected would help give me a little more of an upper lip without dragging it down over the teeth (which is a major concern of mine), or if there's a way to inject it that would lift my lip up a little more?

I'm not looking for the same results as a lip lift- just something that will give my upper lip some more vertical height without fattening it up so it covers my teeth. I would love to have it done by you but at the moment that's not possible- but I have researched lots of doctors and like your work the most. I would really, really appreciate your professional input. Thank you so much and I hope to hear from you soon.

here are my thoughts:
1. your long philtrum really has not major impact on the lip enhancement.
2. what makes a lip look fake is actually placing it in the border, which makes it look too defined in my opinion.
3. filling a lip will not show more teeth but less teeth no matter how you do it. it is just a fact.
4. if you have no real red lip showing at all, you probably will get just a fat looking white lip. if you have at least a little red lip showing, you can typically get more vertical height showing as the red lip rolls outward.
hope that makes sense.
best,
sml

Thank you for answering.
Is there any procedure that can increase the amount of tooth show? I know you are adamantly against lip lifts and I don't think I'd be willing to risk that with my face, but I have heard about people injecting the philtral colums to get a bit of a lift?
Alternatively, I'd like to PM you a picture of my lips and ask what you would do to make them more appealing? I want a fuller lip but I already lack a normal amount of tooth show so I don't think I'd be willing to risk having no teeth show at all.

Thanks again, so much!

injecting the philtral columns will not show more teeth. doing that will decrease teeth show. i think we need to be careful with what we want. sometimes the risk far outweighs the benefit. i reviewed your photos and i believe a conservative upper lip fill would look good for you. yes, it would hide some more teeth but you really don't have hidden teeth as far as what i can see.
best,
sml

Hi again- just one more question.

From the pictures I've sent you, (I can re-send if need be), I was wondering if you think I would be a good candidate for a lip lift? I really would like something permanent to fix my problem forever, and I do have a long upper lip and a very thin amount of red lip.
Also, would a lip lift change long-term as I got older?

Thanks!

And just to clarify my long upper lip is a concern of mine, I feel like a very small shortening would make a huge difference, or if a filler would make the distance appear any shorter? (Just a millimeter or so I feel would make a huge difference).

Thank you again, so much for answering my questions!

hi,
sometimes we can't get what we want. sometimes what we want will have other adverse effects. i really believe that a lip lift is not indicated in the gross majority of individuals. the risk of creating a duck lip that does not age well is too great. i am very selective in my patients who get this and almost all of them tend to be older with really thin lips who can tolerate a small facial scar under the nose when seen close up without makeup.
best,
sml