The first place most women begin to see lines and wrinkles is near their mouth. The skin around the mouth moves like any facial skin; it folds and creases when we make use of it. Sunblock, visors and hats help, however the lower portion of the face usually still suffers greater damage from the sun. All these factors gradually lead to wrinkles.
The eyes and mouth are the focus points when we look at someone, unfortunately. Bright lipstick brings even more awareness to the mouth area, making those tiny wrinkles seem worse. For many, wrinkles and textural changes begin to extend out from the mouth onto the chin and middle parts of the cheeks and with collagen loss, the skin begins to sag, contributing to a less firm jawline, or even jowls.
That's the bad news. Thankfully, we have some remedies.
Traditionally, cosmetic practitioners have had less tools to deal with problem areas around the mouth. Surgical procedures like face lifts do not fix flaws in skin near the lips, and even when done properly, there is a sharp contrast to the otherwise tight facial skin. Aggressive lip pursing can be treated with Botox in small amounts, however it won't fix those deep wrinkles and lines.
As we age, our rate of collagen production slows. Collagen breaks down even faster as the years of sunshine and other environmental damage add up. That's what ultimately leads to laxity and wrinkles. Over time, we do lose volume in our lips. Reducing sun damage, hydrating and nourishing our bodies, supplementing with omega-3s and antioxidants are all a start. Thankfully, just a small amount of filler improves the skin's contour, while smoothing wrinkles.
Research has now suggested that fuller lips may have as much to do with a woman's perceived age as the appearance of wrinkles. Lip volume begins to decrease once we are in our mid-30s. Most patients want to know how to achieve voluminous, natural lips without going overboard.
"Duck face" is a common worry, and we agree nobody should have this look! Filler can be added in increments to create a natural line around the mouth, if the injector has experience.
The biggest problem at times, is knowing what your limits are. Small lips can only be changed so much.
Filling the lips is not the only consideration. One must look at the lips in relation to the entire face. Not every technician is able to do this in an artful way, and not everyone comprehends facial anatomy. Locating an artful and talented injector, who is also experienced, is paramount.
By Devon Monache