Have you ever stood in front of a mirror and just smiled at yourself just to see what you look like? Your smile, including your lips, is an important, prominent feature of your face. These days, having full, shapely lips is a mark of beauty. While some lucky people are born with full lips, most of us are born with lips that are asymmetrical or thin.
And for all of us, even the lucky ones, time takes its toll. As we age, our bodies begin producing less collagen, resulting in a loss of volume and sagging. Outside factors, including sun exposure and harsh weather, can also contribute to the breakdown of collagen, leading to rougher, thinner lips and the formation of wrinkles.
Whether you’ve had thin, uneven lips for your whole life or your lips are starting to show signs of aging, lip rejuvenation can help. When it comes to lip rejuvenation, most people think only about fillers to plump up and restore a more youthful looking mouth. But the truth is that lip rejuvenation is more than just fillers, and combining treatments can actually provide you with the best results.
The power of lip rejuvenation—one of my before and after shots.
Here are five treatments (all offered at Clarity!) that we recommend to give you the lips you’ve always dreamed of.
Dermal Fillers
Loss of lip volume begins in your 30s. Dermal fillers are the most common treatment associated with lip rejuvenation, as they are used for volume replacement. Many dermal fillers are made from hyaluronic acid, a naturally occurring substance that draws in moisture, hydrating the lips. This is why fillers can plump and reshape the lips while still allowing them to look natural. There are many different types of dermal fillers, but not all of them are right for lips. A good medical aesthetics provider (like us!) will be able to help you to determine which dermal fillers are right for your specific needs.
BONUS: How to salvage a bad lip job (or avoid one in the first place!)
Laser Resurfacing
Wrinkles around the mouth are not just caused by smoking. They are the result of everyday activities. Even if you’re not a smoker, they can still happen. These wrinkles are caused by drinking through a straw, pursing your lips, eating, or even just talking.
Laser resurfacing involves the use of laser light that penetrates through the skin to a controlled depth, essentially smoothing lines, wrinkles, and scarred skin. It is a completely safe procedure that has predictable results. Used in concert with dermal fillers, you can achieve fuller lips and reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles around them, restoring a more youthful appearance.
PRP, With or Without Microneedling
PRP, or platelet rich plasma, is a unique treatment that uses your own blood to restore skin texture. We only need to draw a small amount of blood, which is then spun in a centrifuge to separate out the plasma, rich in platelets, from the red blood cells. The plasma is then taken and injected strategically around the lips. Platelets are essential for healing, cell growth, and collagen production. This helps to smooth the texture of your skin, as well as aids in eliminating fine lines. PRP is completely safe, highly effective, and it is both drug and hormone free.
PRP can be used with or without microneedling. Microneedling involves the use of a small multi-needle device that perforates your skin. This triggers the body’s healing response, so it sends growth factors to help heal the injured site along with the PRP already injected. Because the skin of your lips is so delicate, microneedling is used on the skin around your lips.
BOTOX®
BOTOX is an injectable that is extremely popular for treating lines and wrinkles, including around the mouth. This particular injectable is not a dermal filler. Rather, it works by blocking nerve impulses, relaxing the muscles that cause lines and wrinkles, and minimizing excessive movements. It can also elevate the corners of the mouth and enhance the upper lip. Combining BOTOX with dermal fillers can enhance the plumpness of your lips, helping you better achieve your desired results. Just make sure you go to an expert injector (ahem….me), who can ensure that you achieve a natural result, rather than the dreaded “frozen” appearance that is often associated with BOTOX (that frozen look happens when too much is injected in the wrong areas).
PDO Threads
PDO threads involve a minimally invasive procedure that places small, twisted suturing threads into the four quadrants of the border around your lips. The goal of this treatment is to improve the volume and the definition of your lips, creating a stronger border. It addresses the shape and direction of your lips, gently lifting up the edges of your mouth to provide you with a more pleasing smile. PDO threads also work to stimulate new collagen production, further aiding in the creation of a firmer, younger-looking texture.
At Clarity, we create a complete, individualized plan to maximize your results (and plump your pucker!). Lip rejuvenation is a process, but with the right combination of treatments, we can help you achieve the beautiful lips of your dreams. Contact us to schedule your consultation today!
