Lip Enhancement with Dermal Strip Graft

Lip enhancement with a dermal strip graft is a quick, minimally invasive method of achieving fuller, more sensuous lips or correcting lip irregularities as a result of trauma, burns, or congenital abnormalities. While a variety of synthetic “filler materials” are available on the market, none offers the longevity of using your tissue to achieve a more lasting result. Whereas Restylane injections need to be repeated every several months, the dermal strip graft utilizes your own skin for a one time more permanent solution without the fear of “rejection.” In fact, in patients undergoing a face lift operation, the extra skin that is normally discarded may be employed in a one time opportunity to add additional fullness to the lip structures.

Procedure and recovery

The 2 1/2 inch strip of skin is harvested from the hidden portion of the inner thigh or from the trimmed skin of a face lift operation. The active epithelial components are removed and the dermal (densely collagen) layer is preserved. Tiny stab incisions are made on the pink fleshy portion of the lip near the corners. With a special curved tunneling instrument the dermal strip is threaded beneath the free edges of the lips, immediately expanding the lip volume.

The lip incisions are well concealed. The donor sites in the thigh or in front of the ears fade over a couple of months. Swelling of the lips usually last seven to ten days. Ice compresses are applied frequently to accelerate healing. A soft or liquid diet is necessary for 3 to 5 days.

The dermal strip graft offers the most permanent lip filler of all methods available. While the lips usually retain 80-100% of their fullness over several years, occasionally individual healing characteristics will vary and idiosyncratic absorption may occur more rapidly. Injectable fat may also be used to enhance lip contour.