A Guide to Lip Treatments

AUTHOR - DR. DAVID JACK

Lip Service – The Future of Lip Augmentation

In recent years, lip treatments have experienced a significant rise in popularity within the field of Aesthetic Medicine. From enhancing volume and contour to improving texture and definition, these non-surgical procedures have become a key option for individuals seeking to refine and rejuvenate their appearance. With on going advancements in techniques and materials and an increasing emphasis on personalised care, lip treatments have evolved into a mainstay of modern Aesthetic practice.

I’m very pleased to see a shift within the aesthetic industry away from the ‘one size fits all’ mentality, especially when it comes to trends like overfilling, particularly when it comes to lips. For far a too long, there has been an epidemic of chasing uniformity, which led to many unnatural results. Now, it’s encouraging to see a move toward more tailored, subtle enhancements that prioritize balance and individual features over a cookie-cutter ideal. This shift reflects a broader movement within the industry toward personalised treatments that aim to enhance, rather than dramatically transform a persons appearance, emphasising the importance of harmony and natural beauty. This is the approach we have always held at Dr David Jack Clinics and it is encouraging to see the Industry as a whole start to follow suit.

Why the lip area is so important

The mouth plays a crucial role in social interaction, as it is not central to communication but also the expression of emotions. Every study conducted on eye tracking when it comes to social interaction, consistently shows that when people engage with others, their gaze focuses on the mouth almost as much as the eyes, particularly when interpreting emotions and understanding speech. In fact researchers have found that subtle changes in lip movement, such as smiling or the down turning of the mouth, can significantly impact how we perceive others, influencing social dynamics in both personal and professional settings.

This emphasises that preserving the natural appearance of our lips in not just a matter of aesthetics, it's a crucial element of effective communication and connection and thus should be a key consideration when choosing any treatment for the mouth area.

Treatment ladder for the lips

Skincare to hydrate and nourish lips

Lip care is often overlooked in skincare routines, but is just as important as taking care of your skin due to the delicate nature of the surface of our lips, which are more prone to dryness and chapping, due to its surface structure and lack of sebaceous glands.

·      Using lip balms containing ingredients such as petrolatum, hyaluronic acid, ceramides or other emollients and humectants, will effectively hydrate and protect your lips especially during dry or cold weather.

·       Ensuring you are using a lip balm with SPF 30 or higher before going outdoors, even in the winter, is important to protect your lips form the sun. The sun can burn dry, chapped lips more easily and even trigger cold sores.

·      Avoid using products on your lips with strong artificial fragrances or potent active ingredients, as they can irritate the delicate skin on your lips. If you have dry, sensitive lips, it's also best to steer clear of lip-plumping glosses, as they work by causing mild irritation to create fullness.

Lip Flip

The Lip Flip is the perfect solution for those looking to subtly reveal more of their natural red lip. It's especially effective for individuals who do not show a lot of their upper lip when they smile. The procedure involves using small amounts of Botox just above the top lip's border. This relaxes only the superficial muscle fibres, allowing the lip to show more of its red colour, whilst preserving its natural function. The result is a fuller-looking lip with the added benefit of preventing the lip from curling upward as strongly, ensuring more of the lip is visible when you smile. The results last an average of 3-4months with minimal downtime.

Dermal Fillers

Dermal fillers are hyaluronic acid-based injectable gels designed to enhance volume and define the lips. To achieve natural-looking results, several factors need to be carefully considered, including the type of filler used, technique, and the individual’s facial anatomy.

·      Filler choice - Dermal fillers come in various thicknesses and consistencies, each suited to different aesthetic goals. Selecting the right product involves balancing viscosity, enough to add volume and definition, tailored to the desired result, while maintaining a high level of malleability. It's crucial that the chosen filler seamlessly adapts to the dynamic movements of the lips, ensuring a smooth, natural result.

·      Filler Placement - Each person's lip shape is unique, as such lip filler treatments should be customized to enhance their natural features. A thorough pre-treatment assessment is essential, allowing the practitioner to carefully map out the lip anatomy and determine the optimal placement for the filler. Equally important is identifying areas where filler should be avoided to maintain balance and prevent unnatural results.

·      Amount of Filler -This is especially crucial if it's your first treatment or if you have naturally smaller lips. Overfilling or placing too much filler too quickly can disrupt the natural lip shape and anatomy. In these cases, the most natural and aesthetically pleasing results are often achieved by gradually building the lip volume and shape over two sessions, spaced a few months apart, to allow for a more subtle, refined outcome.

Results last 6-18 months depending on the product used. As with other injectables Dermal Filler is deemed to have a low risk profile, with potential risks including short-term issues such as bruising, swelling and asymmetry. All of which are temporary and manageable, under the right care. It is therefore very important to ensure your practitioner is Medically trained and equipped to swiftly treat any complications that may arise in this anatomically complex area.

Skin around the mouth

Smokers lines

Also known as Barcode lines, these are the vertical lines that appear around the lips as we age. More prevalent in Females, this is caused by a combination of factors, including  a reduction in collagen as we age, hyperactivity of lip muscles and a loss of the natural layer of fat that supports the skin of our lips.

Depending on the severity of lines, a combination of treatments may be necessary to obtain optimal results. First we would soften the contracting force of the lip muscles with a light dose of Botox similar to that of a Lip Flip.

·      Using an extremely light Dermal Filler to replace the natural fat layer that supports the skin around the mouth, which we lose as we age.

·      Device treatments for Skin resurfacing such as Morpheus 8 and Ultraclear that stimulate the production of collagen and elastin, leading to a more youthful appearance of the skin.

Marionette Lines

Marionette lines are the deep lines that extend from the corners of the mouth down toward the jawline, often becoming more prominent as we age. These lines typically result from a loss of volume at the mouth’s corners, which is further accentuated by the jowl fat behind it becoming fuller, making the volume loss appear more noticeable.

The targeted placement of dermal filler, allows us to restore volume to this area, softening the appearance of these lines and reducing the shadowing effect. This approach can be even more effective when combined with fat-remodelling treatments such as Morpheus8, which helps reduce the fullness of jowl fat and creates a smoother, more youthful contour in the lower face.

Down turned mouth

When the corners of the mouth naturally turn downward, it can create an unintentional appearance of sadness or frustration, which may be misinterpreted by others. This tendency can become more pronounced with age, as a loss of volume at the mouth’s corners and/or increased activity in the muscles controlling these areas contributes to the downward pull. By strategically placing dermal filler at the corners of the mouth, we can restore the support lost over time, lifting and revitalizing the area. Additionally, by relaxing the Depressor Anguli Oris with Botox, the muscle responsible for pulling the corners down, we can prevent the excessive downward force, helping to maintain a more youthful, neutral expression at the corners of the mouth.

CONCLUSION

The lip and mouth area is an incredibly complex and important one, anatomically, aesthetically and socially. Therefore it is particularly important when considering treatment in this area to see an experienced Medically trained Professional, who will be able to guide you through the process and ensure the best possible outcome for both aesthetic results and safety.