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‘No-touch’ injection technique for lip augmentation yields good outcomes, less trauma

Assessment of a patient’s full lip profile and adjacent facial features offers optimal outcomes for a natural appearance using the “no-touch” lip augmentation technique, according to data published in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.

With the “no-touch” technique, the needle or cannula is inserted on the outside of the white line, sparing the mucosa barrier from being violated and minimizing trauma to the mucosa, according to the researchers.

“Traditional techniques targeting increased red vermilion definition describe inserting the needle directly into the mucosa,” Christopher C. Surek, DO, and colleagues wrote. “However, we feel this mucosal trauma may lead to aesthetic distortion during the procedure or, more importantly, prolonged edema and ecchymosis following the procedure.”

The researchers conducted a retrospective review of 410 patients aged 18 to 72 years who underwent no-touch lip enhancement from 2001 to 2014.

Reviewing the results of the study, the factors found to be most important for a natural, attractive smile include visibility and quality of teeth and gingiva, the patient’s ethnic characteristics, the white roll, vermilion and wet-dry junction, as well as overall facial aging and the patient’s lip shape itself.

“Accurate identification of the red and white rolls, the arc of the Cupid’s bow, the philtrum, and dental exposure give the injector a framework for constructing a precise and symmetric lip enhancement. This approach facilitates individualized treatment of the patient’s needs without following templates of lip type,” the authors wrote. “It is very important to identify what the patient does and does not require, to achieve natural results.” – by Talitha Bennett

Disclosure: Surek reports no relevant financial disclosures. Please see the full study for the other researchers’ relevant financial disclosures.