This Is One of the Fastest-Growing Cosmetic Procedures
Photo: Thomas Schmidt/Getty Images
Thanks to the likes of Kylie Jenner and the dawn of selfie culture, lips are having a moment: According to new data from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, lip augmentation is the second-fastest-growing facial procedure in the country, coming in right after facial dermabrasion or resurfacing treatments.
In 2015, lip implants saw double-digit growth in all regions nationwide, which equated to 27,449 total procedures and a 48 percent rise since 2000. Lip injections have also shot up in numbers, a part of the more than 9 million such procedures patients sought out in the past year.
Related: How to Anti-Age Your Lips Like You Do Your Face
As far as cosmetic-surgery procedures go, many patients think lips seem like a small (but substantial) place to start, says David H. Song, MD, president of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons — and it’s not just because they’re seeking a trendy pout.
Kylie Jenner’s lips have perhaps inspired the rise in similar procedures. (Photo: Getty Images)
“Our research shows that patients are looking for overall facial balance, and they’re seeking procedures to achieve that balance,” Song tells Yahoo Beauty. “So it’s not just about bigger or ‘plumper’ lips. It’s about finding the best look for them — one that flatters their face. Plastic surgeons can work with patients individually to identify the procedures that are right for them and will achieve their goals.”
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Lip implants are typically made from a soft, pliable silicone and offer more flexibility and more options than previous incarnations. Song says patients generally recover quickly from the procedure, and unlike with injections, you don’t have to go back for multiple visits.
According to celebrity makeup artist Dana Delaney, more and more women (and some men) are seeking lush lips with a little enhancement. “I think social media, celebrity, and accessibility have had a big influence on this trend, especially in L.A.,” says tells Yahoo Beauty.
As Song noted, Delaney says she will work to “balance” lips with definition — and if you don’t want to surgically alter your pout, you can do so with product. “Take a neutral lip liner, like Kevyn Aucoin Medium or Minimal [$25], and draw slightly outside your lip line,” she says. “Using a lip plumper like LipFusion [$38] helps, but you can always fill in the outer corners of your lips and add a lighter shimmer gloss to the center.” Try Laura Mercier Lip Glacé in Bare Baby ($26) to finish off that power pucker.
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