Ask Dr. Man- Thin Lips

Dear Dr. Man, I’ve always had thin lips, but as I age, my lips are looking even thinner and I just don’t like the appearance of my mouth as a result. My friends have gotten collagen injections in the past. Is that the best treatment?

Full lips have always been sought after, regardless of age. A plump pout is considered to be a sign of youth and an icon of sensuality. However, as we age, the lips can lose their plumpness and fullness. The upper lip, in particular, can appear thin; and the distance from the tip of the nose to the upper lip lengthens as the lips drop "down,” which can cause a frown-like appearance around the mouth. A lip lift or lip augmentation can increase the volume and fullness of the lips and give a more attractive contour and natural pout.
Lip augmentation can be useful for people who have small, deflated lips, asymmetry, reconstructive needs, dropping or sagging upper lip, lack of color, wrinkling from smoking or aging and other complaints.
Lip augmentation uses synthetic or biological products or surgical restructuring to enhance the lips using several different treatment options. A common procedure that we hear a lot about these days is the use of filler materials to give the soft lip tissue more fullness and support. These materials can be injected or implanted into the skin and can include collagen or fat, or new fillers, such as Restylane and Cosmoplast. Some people go a step further and have a surgical lip lift, which shortens the area between the nose and upper lift, in order to reduce a frown-like appearance.
These procedures are performed in the doctor's office under local or I.V. sedation. After treatment, people usually experience some swelling and bruising. In the case of incisions, sutures are removed after several days. As with all surgery, there are some risks, which you should discuss with your surgeon.

Talk to your plastic surgeon to decide which treatment is right for you. You must realize that no one can perform miracles; however, a highly skilled surgeon can transform what you do have into a more balanced look altogether. Good luck!

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Dr. Daniel Man is a board-certified plastic surgeon who has dedicated his life’s work to helping people look younger and improve their appearance through cosmetic surgery. He is a noted author, artist, inventor and educator. Dr. Man has been featured on major television networks, as well as national and local magazines and newspapers for his work as both a plastic surgeon and an artist. He has a successful private practice in Boca Raton, FL. For more information about Dr. Man, visit www.drman.com.