Americans have had an affinity toward full, voluptuous lips for ages. The lips are a defining feature of the face. They not only provide balance among other facial features but are also seen as a sign of youthfulness. If you once enjoyed fuller lips and are noticing a decrease in definition, shape, and volume, you may be well aware of the ways that age can alter appearance. Just like the cheeks and temples, the lips can lose a bit of their fat content over time. As they do, they look deflated or thinner than normal. Fortunately, there are a few different things you can do to manage the way that your lips age. We’ll discuss them here in our Guide to Great Lips.
Hydrate
According to science, up to 60% of the body is water. Of that, it is believed that the skin is 64% water. If you’re not drinking at least eight glasses of water a day (64 ounces), chances are there are multiple body parts that are somewhat parched. Dehydrated skin may feel rough or display very discreet scales or cracks. Lips that are suffering from dehydration may look red, may peel or become chapped often, and may generally feel irritated. To ensure that you’re getting plenty of water, carry a water bottle with you and sip throughout the day. Some studies suggest that this is a better way to promote hydration than to guzzle water a few times a day. Sipping provides frequent, continual resources where needed.
Consider Lip Augmentation
Hydration is the first and foremost tip for great lips even though we have the option of reshaping them with dermal fillers. Do you wonder why? The fillers that are most commonly used to plump the lips and other parts of the face are based on hyaluronic acid. This is a chemical that the body makes naturally. Its role is to moisten the skin and lubricate areas like the eyes and joints. How does hyaluronic acid do this? By binding to water molecules! If you’re dehydrated as a general state of being, there is a chance that dermal filler lip treatment may not last as long as it could. Your body may break down the substance more quickly or may have less free-floating water molecules to which hyaluronic acid can bind. That said, if you’re ready for fuller lips now, contact us and schedule your lip filler treatment. This conservative approach works to immediately provide beautiful shape and volume. For longer-lasting results, there is the option of lip enhancement using a precise fat grafting technique.
Exfoliate
You may have heard that it’s beneficial to exfoliate your skin every now and then. The same holds true for your lips. Dead skin cells can accumulate anywhere you’ve got skin, and your lips do have a layer of epidermis covering their fleshy body. There are a few different ways you can exfoliate your lips. One is to purchase a special chemical peel or exfoliating lip mask from a trusted manufacturer. Another is to make your own exfoliating scrub. To do so, mix a small amount of white or brown sugar with a little oil. This can be olive oil, avocado oil, coconut oil, or another favorite. After applying the scrub, gently rub the lips for a few moments. This treatment sloughs off dead skin cells while simultaneously delivering a soothing, nourishing moisturizer. Lip exfoliation may be done as often as once a week, and should be accompanied by the use of SPF lip balm during the day and an emollient lip cream or balm at night.
We meet many people who would like to love their lips more. If you feel the same, give us a call! We can quickly reshape your lips into your best facial feature. Contact Cleveland Plastic Surgery Institute at 440-459-0007 for your appointment.