Like the eyes, the lips are a major facial feature for expressing emotions. Frequent muscle activity such as smiling, frowning, and pouting can cause the lips to age faster. Additionally, as a primary feature for speaking and eating, the importance of the lips cannot be overstated. However, lip aging is often overlooked and many people are unsure of what to do about it.
Like the eyes, the lips are a major facial feature for expressing emotions. Frequent muscle activity such as smiling, frowning, and pouting can cause the lips to age faster. Additionally, as a primary feature for speaking and eating, the importance of the lips cannot be overstated. However, lip aging is often overlooked and many people are unsure of what to do about it.
Young and beautiful lips can greatly enhance a woman’s attractiveness, but what makes lips young and beautiful? Beautiful lips have the following features: fullness, a 1:1.1618 ratio of upper to lower lip (the golden ratio), distinct lip lines, a V-shaped Cupid’s bow, prominent medial tubercle, a distinct philtrum, and slightly upturned lip corners.
Like other skin, lips can age due to internal and external factors. External factors such as smoking, drinking alcohol, and UV rays can accelerate aging and cause the loss of lip fat and collagen. Smoking is particularly damaging, as the mouth movements associated with smoking can cause wrinkles known as “smoker’s lines.” The upper lip, which is thinner than the lower lip and lacks subcutaneous fat, is particularly prone to vertical wrinkles. Lip thinning occurs as fat loss progresses, resulting in a loss of youthful fullness. The prominence of the medial tubercle, philtrum, and Cupid’s bow become less distinct, making lipstick application difficult. The loss of lower lip support also causes nearby muscles to become lax, causing the lip corners to sag. These changes can be improved with the injection of hyaluronic acid.
Soft hyaluronic acid is preferred for lip volume replenishment to ensure a natural appearance without nodules. Injection should target lip lines, volume, and proportions, without over-injection. Over-injection can lead to “sausage lips.” Static and dynamic lip appearance should both achieve a natural and balanced effect. In addition to hyaluronic acid injection, botulinum toxin can be used to reduce the severity of lip wrinkles by relaxing the orbicularis oris muscle. In severe cases, segmented laser therapy can be used.
Lips are located in the central position of the face and are easily noticed during conversation and eating. When treating facial aging, don’t forget the importance of the lips!