Lip Fillers for Aging Lips: Restoring Youthful Volume and Definition
The lips are often a central focus point on the face; when we are speaking with other people, our eyes are drawn to their lips. For many people, anti-aging regimens are often focused on facial wrinkles, the eyes, and the cheeks. However, as a prominent feature, lips should be another part of your anti-aging treatments. Noticeable changes in the lips due to aging can include wrinkles and volume loss.
While there are many makeup tricks to make your lips look fuller, some people opt for natural-looking lip fillers to restore plumpness and achieve longer results. Let’s explore the world of lip fillers for aging lips and what you need to know before taking the plunge.
The Role of Lip Fillers in Restoring Youthful Appearance
Many individuals experience changes to their lips, including a loss of volume and definition that can age their appearance. Fortunately, lip filler procedures are a safe and effective way to restore fullness and youthful contours to the lips. By adding volume and smoothing lines, lip fillers offer a natural-looking solution that can turn back the clock on aging lips and improve overall facial harmony. So, if you want to revitalize your appearance, lip fillers may be just what you need.
To understand how lip fillers work, it is important to first look at the main ingredient in many fillers: hyaluronic acid. This substance is naturally made in the body to plump and hydrate the skin. When used in lip fillers, it provides a subtle yet effective way to restore volume and shape to the lips. Hyaluronic acid binds to water molecules and expands, adding volume and fullness to the lips. When the filler is injected strategically into specific areas of the lips, it can create fuller lips, fewer lines, and a more desirable contour.
Understanding the Effects of Aging on the Lips
As we age, our lips lose elasticity and fullness, causing them to appear thin and deflated. The production of key proteins and hyaluronic acid slows down, making it harder for our lips to retain moisture and structure. Elastin and collagen are two important substances for maintaining the youthfulness of our lips.
Collagen provides structure to the lips, while elastin provides the elasticity. Unprotected exposure to the sun and other environmental elements can damage the skin’s delicate texture, further contributing to aging. These factors can lead to a loss of definition in the lips and increased vertical lip lines, known as smoker’s lines.
Choosing the Right Lip Filler
Choosing the right lip filler is crucial to achieving your desired results. There are various dermal fillers with unique properties and advantages. For instance, some fillers are designed for subtle volume, while others are better for smoothing out fine lines. Additionally, the longevity of the filler varies by brand and formula. When targeting your lips, these types of lip fillers can help you achieve a more youthful appearance:
- Restylane® Kysse: This filler is ideal for men and women seeking a soft natural lip with a pouty look and results that last up to one year. The FDA-approved filler has a hyaluronic acid formula that utilizes XpresHAn Technology™, which gives patients more advanced integration and natural motions for seamless results. It can treat volume loss, lines around the lips, asymmetry, and lack of definition.
- Juvéderm® Volbella: Volbella is an FDA-approved hyaluronic acid lip injector that targets lip lines, wrinkles, and lack of definition. It can also address perioral lines or smoker’s lines and add volume to the lip. Other Juvéderm injections include Voluma XC for the cheeks, Vollure XC for nose and mouth wrinkles, and Ultra XC for lip volume.
What to Expect During Lip Filler Treatment
Prior to the lip filler treatment, your board-certified dermatologist will assess your lip shape and size and discuss your expectations and desired outcomes. A numbing cream is applied to reduce discomfort. The procedure typically takes 15-30 minutes and involves a series of injections into specific areas of the lips. While some swelling and bruising may occur, these side effects typically subside within a few days.
How Long Do Lip Fillers Last?
Lip injection results are not permanent, and the filler’s longevity varies depending on the type of filler used but typically lasts up to one year. Over time, the body naturally absorbs the hyaluronic acid, causing the lips to gradually return to their pre-treatment state. However, with regular maintenance treatments, the results can be long-lasting and subtle.
Aftercare Tips for Maintaining Results
Avoid strenuous exercise for a few days after the procedure to minimize swelling. It’s also important to avoid touch-ups for at least two weeks to allow the filler to settle and any bruising to subside. In addition, keep your lips hydrated and protected from the sun with SPF lip balm.
Lip Fillers in NYC
Spring Street Dermatology is a premier destination for comprehensive skin treatments with a high-end facility and custom treatment plans. Contact us to learn more about lip fillers and schedule a consultation at our Soho or Uptown location.
