What is Lip Rejuvenation

There are many reasons why a person may seek to rejuvenate their lips including:

• Thin or flat lips
• Smoker’s lines
• Fine lines and wrinkles on or around the mouth
• Asymmetry (disproportionate lips)
• Turned-down lip corners

While some individuals are born with thin or asymmetrical lips, many people experience them due to the aging process. As we get older our body produces less collagen – the protein primarily responsible for smooth, plump lips. Collagen and other fibers hold the skin in place, keeping it taut and full. These naturally diminish with age and produce a loss of volume and sagging skin.

Another reason for changing lip volume, texture, and structure is sun damage. Over time, sun exposure can cause collagen to break down. If you needed another reason besides skin cancer to protect your skin from UV exposure, remember that the number one cause of looking aged prematurely is sun-damage.

Injectables

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, 2.4 million cases of soft tissue fillers were reported in 2015. The major portion of this number was from products made of hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid is a natural substance found in the body, especially in the skin tissue. The basic function of hyaluronic acid is to cushion different parts of the body, hydrate the skin, and fill in the area around the eyes. Some brand names of injectable fillers that are made with hyaluronic acid include Restylane, Juvederm, and Belotero. Your dermatologist will be able to tell you which kind of filler will work best for you.

There are other filler options that do not use hyaluronic acid such as Radiesse, which uses calcium hydroxylapatite – another natural component found in the body. Like other injectables, Radiesse fills in the lines on and around the mouth.

Filler treatments usually take around 10-15 minutes, with results lasting anywhere from three months to one year depending on the filler. Side effects of fillers are minimal and include redness, swelling and bruising at the site of injection for a brief time after the treatment.