How to Remedy Thinning Lips
It’s no secret that our skin changes as we age. Most of us know the tell-tale signs of aging: wrinkles, under-eye circles, and pigmentation changes. However, these aren’t the only developments that result from the forces of time and gravity. Many people also lose volume and elasticity in their lips over time as collagen production slows down. Of course, some individuals are naturally granted thinner lips due to genetics. Whatever the case may be, those with narrow lips may struggle with their self-esteem and wish to enhance their lips’ thickness, shape, and texture. Fortunately, there are a number of ways to prevent and remedy thinning lips. Let’s discuss them below.
Preventing Lip Thinning
As is the case with most conditions, taking preventative measures can greatly reduce the need for treatment or surgery down the line. And if your lips aren’t naturally thin, there are steps you can take to keep them healthy, plump, and hydrated. These include:
- Quitting smoking
- Wearing sun-protective lip balm (SPF 15+) when outside for extended periods
- Wearing a moisture-sealing lip balm when the air/climate is dry (look for products with beeswax, petroleum jelly, or paraffin)
- Staying hydrated
- Maintaining a balanced diet and avoiding processed foods
- Maintaining overall health
Indeed, the better you take care of your body as a whole, the healthier your lips will be.
Treatments to Maintain Lip Shape
Of course, your lips can still thin out over time regardless of how well you care for your body and skin. This is where cosmetic dermatology treatments come in handy. More specifically, topical retinoids (a type of Vitamin A) can boost the body’s natural collagen production, aiding in lip repair and restoration. You can find products containing retinoids over the counter via prescription. Your dermatologist can help you find the right type and strength of retinoid product(s) for your lips.
Restore and Enhance Lip Volume via Dermal Fillers
When proactive measures and retinoids aren’t enough to bring your lips back to life, you might consider receiving lip injections. Currently, the most effective, safest, and common procedure for lip augmentation is via hyaluronic acid dermal fillers such as Juvederm and Restylane. These fillers target specific areas of the skin and directly inject them with hyaluronic acid, a naturally-occurring sugar found in the body that provides hydration and support to the skin (dermal fillers can also be used to reduce wrinkles and increase cheek volume). When injected in the lips, these products can provide several months (even years) of enhanced volume in a single treatment.
Hyaluronic acid fillers are not the only lip fillers available, of course. Patients may also receive injections of collagen, Botox, particulated dermis, and more. However, these options tend to yield higher risks of side effects and may not have as long-lasting results when compared to Restylane, Juvederm, and other hyaluronic acid dermal fillers.
Staying Filled In
While we can’t stop time, we can at least push back against some of its undesirable effects on our appearance. If you’re struggling with thinning lips, know that there are plenty of options for restoring their shape and volume. If you want more details on any of the methods mentioned here, the experts at Premier Dermatology Partners are happy to fill you in further.
To learn more about our providers and all the services we offer, contact us today.