Lip Reduction, as an aesthetic procedure, is creating quite a buzz. Salon India speaks
exclusively with Dr Debraj Shome, Cosmetic Surgeon and Director at The Esthetic
Clinics, to understand the process and technology used.
About: A person’s facial appearance and the way others perceive
him or her is greatly influenced by the structure of the lips. Once you
have reached facial maturity, the shape and size of your lips are set.
As with any other facial feature, irrespective of age, many people
tend to be self-conscious and believe it is a hindrance on their path to
professional success.
Process and technology used: With today’s advancing technology,
experienced doctors in the country have been able to find a solution
to this concern. While many individuals aim to correct thin lips through
lip augmentation procedures and lip fillers, there are those who
want to make their excessively large lips smaller. The procedure that
facilitates this facial alteration is called Lip Reduction surgery or Bikini
Lip Reduction.
DOCTOR SPEAK
JANUARY 2019 | SALON INTERNATIONAL | 97
Lip reduction surgery is a procedure to remove excess lip tissue for a
thinner lip appearance. It is gradually gaining momentum with people
across the globe, and surgeons now commonly refer to it as ‘Bikini’
Lip Reduction surgery. It consists of an excision of a ‘bikini top’ from
the upper lip and a ‘bikini bottom’ from the lower lip.
USP: Research suggests that this procedure not only makes the
lips smaller, but also aesthetically more pleasing. Such a procedure
aims to fulfill the three basic requirements of a good lip reduction
treatment such as, decreasing the overall size, restoring the curves of
the lips, and to maintain a good relationship of volume of the upper
and lower lip.
Teamed with other surgeries: The result of paring the bikini lip
reduction surgery with any other treatment and their benefits are
still unknown.
Pre-treatment measures: Before you decide to undergo this
cosmetic procedure, there are a few things to keep in mind. It is
important that the lips be in good condition, the patient is a non
smoker and can freely share any known allergies with the doctor. The
patient will be advised to go for tests of blood and urine, and any
other standard test that the doctor deems necessary.
Post-treatment: The reduction procedure is done under local
anesthesia and lasts for half an hour to 45 minutes. You may
experience some swelling, bruising and pain for the first three-four
days. The initial healing period takes about a week, and you will
be advised to follow a liquid diet for the same amount of time.
The patient needs to take care of the stitches and maintain good
oral hygiene.
Time taken for both the procedures: 45 to 60 minutes.
Sessions recommended: It is a surgery, so one is enough.
Side-effects: Although the lip reduction surgery is fairly simple, an
asymmetrical appearance, cyst formation and numbness are some
of the possible side-effects.
Future of the surgery: These cases are common in Western
countries, however, a ‘bikini’ lip reduction surgery has been
performed in India, as well. Bikini lip reduction surgery is now slowly
gaining momentum in India and will continue to grow. A gentleman,
who aspired to become a film star and believed that his lips needed
an aesthetic transformation, had approached me. A surgery was
performed on his lips as they were quite large. It gave his face the
right proportion and the result was effective.
View on the surgery: “To me, it is ironic that a male lip can be
shaped better using the principles of a female bikini. In a patriarchal
society, what can be more ironic? A bikini style lip reduction can allow
a man to have smaller and more aesthetic looking lips. It is true that
well-shaped lips can change your smile, face and enhance the other
facial features in both men and women.”
