Less Lip, Please
Like fashion, there are trends in our practice, too. For a time years ago, people wanted the puffiest lip possible, and many of them got what they wanted, even if the results were unnatural and overdone. These days, subtlety is everything, and the lips are a case in point.
Many of you, when you come to my office, are concerned that your treatments will be obvious. One of the biggest giveaways is the lip that is too full for the face.
My guiding principle has always been “less is more.” Much more. When it comes to restoring lips to their youthful state, this approach is essential. My method has three parts: Define, shape and add volume.
Lips tend to thin out and lose fat as we get older. To give them the appearance that they once had, or to plump lips that are naturally thin, I use dermal fillers in small specific ways to create subtle changes that provide maximum visual impact. The secret is balance. If any part of the lips is too fat or too thin, your entire face will look strange.
First, I define the edge between the top lip and the skin above it, beneath your nose. Then, to reshape and plump the upper lip, I make tiny injections in key spots. The upper lip should have variation across the lower border and a bow across the top.
For the lower lip, which typically has a uniform shape all the way across and a little extra volume in the middle, I look at all the angles. From the side, the lip shouldn’t extend out too far or appear puffy. From the front, there should be a touch of extra height.
A variety of lip injection options are available to you, and the results should last from several months to a year, depending on the type of filler that we use. We like to use the hyaluronic acid fillers Restylane, Restylane Refyne, Restylane Silk, Belotero Balance,Volbella and Juvederm.
The injections take only a few minutes, and you should be able to go back to your normal activities right after the procedure.
If you’d like to talk with us about your lips, or any other concerns, call our office today for a complimentary consultation.
See you soon.
