What makes lips beautiful? Maybe it’s evolution. Maybe it’s social media. It’s hard to say for sure. Our lips express sensuality, and they make a big difference in how we look to ourselves and others.
One thing is certain, though. We want to have beautiful lips of our own.
We hear it from our patients every day: “I want those lips,” or “I do NOT want those lips.”
Fashions change constantly, and beauty is subjective. At one time, thin lips were as desirable as the luscious, Kardashian/Jolie ideal of today. Even plastic surgeons can disagree. One study on lip aesthetics suggests that the upper lip should be equal in size to the lower lip. Another study says the lower lip should be bigger by about a third.
Making your lips as beautiful as possible.
The truth is, there is no magic formula for beautiful lips, but there are several characteristics that we believe will make your lips beautiful on your face.
Lip Proportion
Beautiful lips fit the face. They don’t outsize it. In many of the bad or “botched” lip procedures we see in tabloid photos, the lips are so big that it is impossible to see the upper teeth. The excessive results of some lip procedures make the upper lip so heavy and projected that it looks unnatural and toothless.
Lip Definition
Your lips should be well defined. Balanced. The anatomic points—the points that project—should be clear and emphasized, much like they are when you wear lipstick or gloss.
Lip Hydration
Hydration is key to a beautiful lip. Studies suggest shiny lips are perceived as more attractive than lips that appear dry.
Having covered some of the key attributes that affect the look of your lips, what can you do to maximize or enhance proportion, definition and hydration?
Here are a few ideas for achieving amazing lips.
Keeping your lips hydrated.
Let’s start with hydration. This is one of the most important things you can do for your lips to maintain and maximize long-term beauty. It’s also the one of the easiest and least invasive ways to care for your lips. Last, but definitely not least, it’s also low-cost!
Begin by using a moisturizing product like Korres Lip Butter. Korres leaves lips deeply moisturized, supple, and kissably soft. It is formulated with natural oils and extracts to soothe and condition lips.
Shea butter and rice wax provide lasting hydration and softness. This shiny, juicy pop of color comes in an array of “flavors,” and it’s ideal for dry lips. You also might use Burt’s Bees lip balm. It contains beeswax, which conditions skin, and antioxidant Vitamin E to moisturize.
Don’t forget sun protection! Sunscreen, as well as proper hydration, will keep your lips looking youthful.
A final hint: peppermint oil provides that one-of-a-kind refreshing tingle. The result? Smooth, supple lips everyone will be raving about.
Improving proportion and definition of your lips.
There are several products and cosmetics that can help enhance or improve the natural shape of your lips. Consider using a lip plumper, like Replenix® Pure Hydration Plumping Lip Treatment Broad Spectrum SPF 30. Lip plumpers will add volume and maximize shape to give you the look you’re after.
You can also consider hyaluronic acid injections to the corner of the mouth or the vermilion border. This will help to create a more youthful lip appearance. Like any procedure, it depends on the artistry of the injector rather than the product, though the Restylane, Juvederm and Vycross line of hyaluronic products all work well in our hands.
For lip filler before and after examples, take a look at our gallery.
Lip fillers are administered via injection. Your lips stay kissable after these injections, and after a few days, you won’t notice any changes in sensation. Your lips feel the same to the touch (and the kiss). Restylane Silk, Belotero, and Volbella can also work to erase fine lines above the lip.
If you are unsure or concerned about how you will look to others, allowing two to three days before you appear in public allows most of the swelling to go away. If you still don’t like the effects, most hyaluronic acid fillers can be easily dissolved.
If you’re looking for guidance, W Cosmetic Surgery is always happy to help you achieve perfect lips that are perfectly you. Give us a call, or send us an email.
