What is Lip Correction?

Lip correction surgery is a procedure designed to enhance the shape, size, symmetry, or overall appearance of the lips to achieve a balanced, aesthetically pleasing look. At Nairobi Sculpt Aesthetic Centre, Dr. Mukami Gathariki specializes in creating natural, harmonious results tailored to each patient’s facial features and goals. Lip correction can address concerns such as thin lips, asymmetry, disproportionate lip size, or congenital deformities like cleft lip, as well as revise unsatisfactory results from previous procedures.

Dr. Mukami employs precise surgical techniques to reshape the lips, often combining tissue adjustment with minimal incisions to ensure subtle, long-lasting results with minimal scarring. This procedure is ideal for those seeking to enhance their smile and boost facial confidence.

Benefits of Lip Correction

• Enhanced Lip Aesthetics: Improves lip shape, volume, and symmetry for a balanced, attractive smile.
• Boosted Confidence: Addresses self-consciousness about lip appearance, enhancing overall facial harmony.
• Corrects Asymmetry: Balances uneven lips caused by genetics, injury, or prior procedures.
• Minimal Scarring: Incisions are strategically placed along the lip borders or inside the mouth, becoming nearly invisible over time.
• Long-Lasting Results: Offers durable outcomes, with results lasting years or permanently, depending on the technique.

Who is a Candidate for Lip Correction?

Ideal candidates for lip correction surgery include individuals who:

• Are in good overall health with no uncontrolled medical conditions.
• Have thin, asymmetrical, or disproportionate lips that affect their appearance or confidence.
• Seek to correct congenital deformities (e.g., cleft lip) or trauma-related lip issues.
• Are dissatisfied with prior lip procedures and desire revision.
• Are typically aged 18 or older, though younger patients with specific deformities may qualify with parental consent.
• Have realistic expectations about the procedure’s outcomes.

During your consultation, Dr. Mukami will assess your lip anatomy, discuss your aesthetic goals, and determine the best surgical approach to achieve natural, balanced results.

Types of Lip Correction Procedures

Dr. Mukami offers various lip correction techniques to address specific concerns:

• Lip Augmentation: Increases lip volume and definition using tissue rearrangement or grafts, often for thin lips.
• Lip Reduction: Reduces overly large lips by removing excess tissue to achieve proportionality.
• Lip Lift: Shortens the upper lip to enhance lip shape and expose more of the upper teeth for a youthful smile.
• Cleft Lip Repair: Reconstructs congenital lip deformities to improve function and aesthetics, often performed in stages for optimal results.
• Revision Lip Surgery: Corrects unsatisfactory results from previous lip procedures, addressing scarring, asymmetry, or unnatural appearance.

The Lip Correction Procedure

Lip correction surgery is typically performed under local anesthesia with sedation or general anesthesia, depending on the complexity. The process includes the following steps:

1. Consultation: Dr. Mukami evaluates your lip structure, discusses your goals, and develops a personalized surgical plan.
2. Anesthesia: Administered to ensure comfort during the procedure.
3. Incisions: Small incisions are made along the lip borders, inside the mouth, or in natural creases to minimize visible scarring.
4. Tissue Adjustment: Lip tissue is reshaped, resized, or repositioned to achieve the desired shape and symmetry. Excess tissue may be removed, or grafts may be added for augmentation.
5. Closure: Incisions are closed with fine sutures, designed to promote healing and minimize scarring.
6. Duration: The procedure typically takes 1–2 hours, depending on the technique and extent of correction.

Dr. Mukami’s precise techniques ensure minimal tissue trauma, promoting faster recovery and natural-looking results that enhance facial harmony.

Recovery and Aftercare

Recovery from lip correction surgery is generally straightforward, with the following timeline:

• First Week: Mild swelling, bruising, and discomfort are common, and sutures are typically removed within 5–7 days. Most patients resume light activities within 3–5 days.
• Two Weeks: Swelling and bruising significantly subside, and patients may return to non-strenuous work or social activities.
• One Month: Most residual swelling resolves, and the lips’ new shape becomes more apparent. Avoid strenuous activities that strain the lips for 4–6 weeks.
• Full Recovery: Final results are visible within 1–3 months as scars fade and the lips fully settle.

Dr. Mukami provides comprehensive aftercare instructions, including:

• Applying cold compresses to reduce swelling and bruising.
• Avoiding excessive lip movement, such as wide smiling or chewing hard foods, for the first week.
• Keeping incision sites clean and protected from sun exposure to reduce scarring.
• Following a soft diet initially to minimize strain on the lips.
• Attending follow-up appointments to monitor healing.

Combining Lip Correction with Other Procedures

For comprehensive facial rejuvenation or enhanced harmony, lip correction can be paired with:

• Rhinoplasty: Adjusts the nose’s shape to complement the lips and improve overall facial balance.
• Facelift or Necklift: Rejuvenates the face or neck for a cohesive, youthful appearance.
• Chin Augmentation: Enhances the chin to balance facial proportions alongside lip reshaping.
• Non-Surgical Treatments: Lip fillers or Botox to refine lip volume or smooth perioral wrinkles for a polished result.

Dr. Mukami will recommend complementary procedures based on your goals and facial anatomy during your consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions

• How long do lip correction results last? Results are typically long-lasting or permanent, depending on the technique, though natural aging may affect lip appearance over time.
• Will I have visible scars? Incisions are placed along lip borders or inside the mouth, making scars nearly invisible once healed.
• Is lip correction painful? Most patients experience mild discomfort, managed with prescribed medications. Swelling and tenderness are temporary.
• Can lip correction be combined with fillers? Yes, surgical correction can be complemented with fillers for enhanced volume or fine-tuning, though this is planned carefully to avoid over-treatment.
• When will I see the final results? Initial improvements are visible within weeks, with final results appearing within 1–3 months as swelling fully resolves.