New lip filler hits the market

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Valentine's Day is less than two weeks away, and many want kissable lips. There's a new product on the market this month that is making a natural looking pucker a possibility.

"Nobody wants to kiss a lip that's hard and firm, they want a soft, supple lip," said plastic surgeon Dr. Etai Funk.

There's little to love about bad lip implants and injections, so Funk says the latest filler will not leave you looking like "Teen Mom" reality star Farrah Abraham. Just last month, Abraham's photo went viral thanks to a botched lip injection.

"It appears that reality star had a permanent implant placed, and she either had a reaction to the local anesthesia or to the surgical manipulation of the lip," said Funk.

Funk says many people are seeking a permanent solution and turn to an articol or silicon lip implant.

"They're very difficult to remove surgically if you're not happy with the results. In addition, these permanent implants can move around and migrate in the lip," Funk said.

For years, a temporary solution has been Hyaloronic Acid fillers like Juvaderm or Restylane, but now the super star is Restylane Silk.

"The particle size is about a third of the size of Restylane, so it's a softer more supple appearing lip," Funk said.

Restylane Silk is the only FDA-approved injection for the lip and smokers lines above the lip. Funk says it works best on mature patients.

"As we mature, the red portion of the lip thins, the white portion of the lip lengthens, and they want a more youthful appearing lip," Funk said. "We want to make sure we pay close attention to the anatomy of the lip, maintain the cupid's bow in the upper lip, and make sure we keep a certain ratio that the lower lip is about 1.5 times the size of the upper lip."

Because the particles in Restylane Silk are so small, Funk says the lips maintain a natural feel.

"My husband loves them," said patient Dianne Dannhaus. "Everybody comments that I have pretty lips, but they never say, 'Did you get your lips done?'"

Fillers usually last for six to nine months. Funk warns that there will be tremendous swelling for 48 hours, so it's best not to get injections before a big event.

If you try the Restylane Silk injections and don't like them, there is an enzyme injection that can kiss those fillers goodbye.