Loathsome Lip Lines
“I have all these lip lines, but I’m not a smoker!” I hear these words during my work week more times than you can imagine. So, if you can relate, then what could be the cause of these creepy creases?
There are several factors that can contribute to this cause, but these are the top four:
- Hereditary – Chances are, if your mom had them (even ole dad, too), you do too!
- Drinking Through a Straw or Repetitive Kissing – However you want to put it, constant tightening of the Obicularis Oris muscle (the mouth), can cause formation of these age-revealing demons.
- Loss of Structure in the Face – As we age, bone density decreases. Unfortunately, this includes the face. What is not constantly lifted, eventually drops; and what drops, then forms lines and creases.
- Sun Damage – Overexposure to the sun is notorious for causing the breakdown of collagen and elastin. This applies anywhere on the body – lips included.
Now that the hard truth is out of the way, let’s talk solutions! There are several different treatments we offer to cater to these exasperating lines, including microneedling, laser resurfacing and fillers. However, my personal favorites are microneedling and fillers because they are minimally invasive and require little downtime.
Microneedling is a procedure that places microscopic channels of injury into the skin, making it form collagen and elastin. This allows your skin to do the repair work itself. Why is this good? Because it is not a “Band-Aid treatment.” In other words, it provides a more permanent impression rather than a “quick fix,” though you will still continue to naturally age as time goes on. This involves a series of four to six treatments that are done four to six weeks apart. The recovery process includes two to three days of redness and swelling. With minimal risks and ample amounts of benefits, this treatment is sure to aid in smoothing out those lines!
Fillers, my other favorite, are used to add volume, structure and smooth out lines and wrinkles. The healing time varies on the person, but I tell my patients to plan for two to three days of mild swelling. Bruising is patient-dependent but is greatly reduced with the use of cannulas during the injecting process. It is temporary treatment that typically lasts nine months to a year. It is a very widely used option and if done right, looks natural. I am pleased to say that all of our injectors at Cool Springs Plastic Surgery pride ourselves in providing a very natural look for our patients!
The lip line remedies mentioned above work well for mild to moderate lines. However, for those stubborn, more difficult lines, resurfacing lasers offer a deeper level of treatment. Comparatively, the downtime can be longer, ranging from one to two weeks of swelling and/or redness.
We would be more than happy to answer any questions you have regarding lip lines, walk through a personal treatment plan and discuss any other options as well at your own private consultation. Give us a call at (615) 771-7718 to schedule with one of our injectors at one of our offices in Franklin, Nashville or Mount Juliet.
Michele Bailey, RN Nurse Injector
Michele Bailey has 23 years of experience in the field of aesthetic nursing and injectables, and has worked with Dr. Moore since 1999.