Whether you are an addicted or casual Instagram user, you’re probably well acquainted with the beauty looks that dominate our feeds—perfect beach waves, flawless contouring and big, full lips. According to research done by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, lip enhancement procedures increased 50% between 2000 and 2016, which explains the ubiquitous duck-like pout.
However a new trend, lip reduction, is emerging across social media, causing surgeons to put down their syringes and pouts to deflate. Lip reduction is now the most popular treatment in Asia where Western beauty (pre-Kardashian) is highly sought after.
Typically popular among patients in their 20s and 30s, “the procedures involve surgically cutting at the wet-dry line and pulling the lip underneath inside the mouth to reduce overall size,” explains New York dermatologist Dr. Doris Day.
The cost to downsize your lips ranges from $1,000 to $3,000. Fillers typically only set patients back about $500 to $2,000 per syringe. And while it is an outpatient surgery, people are still put under local anesthesia, have stitches for about a week, and can experience swelling and bruising.
From small to large lips, we know one thing—a swipe of a killer red lipstick will instantly give you a confidence: No surgery required.
