The lips are a fundamental part of the face and play a very special role in interpersonal relations. The lips are both an organ of seduction and an expression of feelings and emotions (joy, sadness, anger), not forgetting the role of the lips in communication. They are a powerful symbol of our social, emotional and even sexual profile. They are an undeniable seductive asset.
Lips are particularly sensitive to the ageing process and early dehydration. Over time, lips can lose some of their benefits because they are very fragile mucous membranes. They are also affected by environmental factors such as cumulative sun exposure, post-menopausal hormonal deficiencies, oxidative stress and smoking.) These generally cause:
– Slimmer lips;
– Lengthening the distance between the upper lip and the base of the nose;
– A loss of volume
What’s more, the skin around the lips is particularly sensitive and is subject to repeated muscular contractions, which accelerate the deterioration of the area around the mouth and lead to the appearance of fine lines and small creases around the lips, particularly in smokers;
In some people, the lips are too thin or there is an imbalance between the height of the lower lip and the upper lip.
The different techniques available in Aesthetic Surgery and Anti-Aging medicine
Fortunately, these days there are many aesthetic techniques available to correct genetic defects and counter the effects of time. Lips can be corrected, beautified, rejuvenated and rehydrated. The aim is to re-curve the lips, plump them up, raise the Cupid’s bow, increase lip volume, restore the relief of the red lip, but also to reaffirm the philtral ridges which may be naturally too thin or have sagged over time. Very often, it also involves filling in fine wrinkles above the upper lip and, in some cases, “lifting” the upper lip.
As a general rule, lip treatment should strike an aesthetic balance between the height of the upper lip and the lower lip, for a natural, harmonious result. Gone are the days of outrageously swollen mouths, replaced by techniques that give a natural appearance. As a general rule, lip treatment should strike an aesthetic balance between the height of the upper lip and the lower lip, for a natural, harmonious result. Gone are the days of outrageously swollen mouths, replaced now by techniques that give a natural appearance.
Hyaluronic acid injections.
Hyaluronic acid is used to redefine the hem and contours of the lips to enhance definition and lip line, lift the Cupid’s bow, increase lip volume, restore the relief of the red lip, reaffirm the philtral ridges, rehydrate and subtly plump the lips. It can also be used to treat the corners of the mouth for a positive expression by lifting the corners of the lips, as well as correcting any asymmetries.
Depending on the desired result and the areas to be treated, your cosmetic surgeon will inject hyaluronic acid at different densities and in different areas. The advantages of hyaluronic acid are numerous: it’s a fast treatment (10 to 20 minutes) carried out in the surgery, and virtually painless due to the presence of an anaesthetic coupled with the hyaluronic acid. What’s more, the results are immediate and natural, and the degradation time is long enough to be both effective and temporary. Its effect is reversible (it lasts 6 to 9 months), making it possible to monitor facial ageing. What’s more, it does not require any prior preparation on the part of the patient and does not involve any social exclusion.
Lipofilling (fat injection)
The procedure involves removing the patient’s own fat from another part of the body (autologous grafting), usually from the abdomen, knees, inner thighs or “saddlebags”, using the liposuction technique. The fatty tissue is purified and then injected into the lips using micro-cannulas in the thin lip area to thicken it. Your cosmetic surgeon will make a micro-incision in the corners of the mouth to pass very fine cannulas. As the scars are located in the crease of the lips at the corners of the mouth, they will be invisible. The duration of the operation varies according to the quantity of fat to be reinjected and the number of areas to be treated. It should take between 30 minutes and 1 hour.
Lip augmentation by lipofilling is a surgical procedure usually performed under local anaesthetic or sedation. Swelling of the tissues (oedema) appears in the 48 hours following the operation and generally takes 5 to 15 days to be completely reabsorbed. Bruising will appear in the first few hours in the areas where fat has been reinjected, and will disappear 10 to 20 days after the operation.
The extent of social discomfort caused by oedema and bruising should be taken into account, so that family, professional and social life can be adapted. The areas operated on should not be exposed to the sun or UV rays for at least 4 weeks, as this could lead to permanent pigmentation. Once the oedema and bruising have subsided, the result begins to appear within 2 to 3 weeks of the operation. This technique is definitive, but may leave some minor irregularities.
Peeling
Its principle is to create a chemical abrasion of the dermis. There are several types of peel:
– Superficial peeling
– The medium peel;
– Deep peeling
To achieve visible results on wrinkles in the perioral area, a medium peel or a deep peel should be used. The medium peel completely renews the epidermis and superficial dermis. It is based on Trichloroacetic acid (TCA) and is recommended for shallow wrinkles. It has the advantage of having no post-procedure consequences, apart from some redness that can be “camouflaged” with suitable make-up, and therefore does not cause any social exclusion. It has the advantage of having no post-procedure consequences, apart from some redness that can be “camouflaged” with suitable make-up, and therefore does not cause any social exclusion. The deep peel is a more extensive procedure than the medium peel. It is recommended in the case of marked wrinkles. It uses a phenol base to completely renew the epidermis and deep dermis.
It requires preparation of the skin and a social withdrawal of 10 to 15 days due to redness, desquamation and small crusts present on the skin for a few days. In both cases, the result is not definitive. In fact, wrinkles will reappear over time.
Mechanical” dermabrasion
Dermabrasion can also be used to treat wrinkles in the perioral area. This is a purely mechanical abrasion: the superficial layer of skin is removed using a small rotating grinder, which makes it possible to erase the small superficial wrinkles around the mouth. The procedure is carried out under local anaesthetic and generally lasts between 15 and 30 minutes. Dermabrasion causes the skin to bleed superficially, forming highly visible reddish scabs that persist for around 7 days. This technique therefore requires you to avoid social contact for one to two weeks. Afterwards, the skin will appear rosier for several weeks and make-up can be applied to conceal this pink appearance.
The laser
Vertical wrinkles in the perioral area are a good indication for laser treatment, with excellent results. The principle of the laser is thermal abrasion of the dermis. There are many different types of laser, more or less suited to the perioral area, with widely varying effectiveness and post-operative consequences.
Dermal grafting
Dermal grafting involves taking the patient’s own skin from another part of their body (autografting) to add volume to your upper lip. To do this, your plastic surgeon will remove skin (usually from the groin or an existing abdominal scar). The graft is placed through a small incision in the corner of the mouth, allowing invisible scars.
A period of approximately one week should be allowed to pass between work and social life due to the appearance of oedema and possible bruising. This technique gives permanent results.
Temporary or permanent solution?
There are many techniques in anti-ageing medicine and cosmetic surgery to give you or restore perfect lips and lip contours. These days, cosmetic doctors prefer gentle, reversible techniques. This is because the shape of the face, tastes and beauty criteria change over time, and temporary solutions are preferable to permanent ones. Contact a competent professional.
A lip injection or cosmetic surgery operation is a precise and delicate surgical procedure, requiring a great deal of rigour (precise diagnosis, rigorous and strict asepsis). The services of a qualified plastic surgeon are absolutely essential in order to control the surgical procedure, obtain the desired result and avoid complications.
During your consultation with your plastic surgeon, the option that suits you best will be presented to you and discussed in detail.
