Lips

The lips are the second most important aesthetic unit of the face and the most prominent mobile element. It is important to keep the lip balanced and in light of current techniques and recommendations, the objective of aesthetic interventions carried out on the lips at Up Clinic is to obtain discreet results, as natural as possible.

In recent years, lip filler treatments have risen to become one of the top three most performed procedures worldwide. Being a quick treatment with highly satisfying results, it has quickly become a popular choice across all age groups.

The Importance of Evaluation

Lips have their own unique anatomy, and depending on various factors, they take on different shapes in each individual. When evaluating lips, we first consider four general parameters: volume, contour, symmetry, and proportion (between the upper and lower lip). These parameters, especially volume and proportion, can vary significantly and depend on societal beauty standards, including both social trends and ethnic considerations.

On a more individual level, we examine all the anatomical details that make up a lip: upper tubercles, lower tubercles, Cupid’s bow, philtrum, philtral columns, lip eversion, and lip corners. All these features must also be considered in the context of the individual’s overall facial proportions, including the size of other central facial elements (eyes, nose, and chin), their gender identity, and personality.

With this understanding, it becomes clear that lip filler treatments are not one-size-fits-all and require a holistic and comprehensive initial assessment of the patient.

The Procedure

Depending on the product and technique used, lip filler treatments can achieve subtle results, focusing primarily on lip hydration, detailed enhancements such as tubercles, Cupid’s bow, philtral pillars, lip corners, or a more dramatic effect with increased volume and projection. The procedure can be performed using a needle, cannula, or both and involves complete nerve block anesthesia. Typically, one syringe (1ml) of product is used per session, with multiple sessions possibly required to achieve the desired result.

Lip Aging and Perioral Rejuvenation

When we think about the lips, we usually consider the mucosal structure. However, the aesthetic “lip” unit comprises not only the mucosal lip but also the cutaneous lip. This is important, especially when considering the process of lip aging, as adjacent structures, such as bone resorption in the jaw and maxilla, tooth loss, and changes in the volume of perioral fat compartments, greatly influence it.

Lip aging involves various changes, including:

1. Sagging of the upper and lower cutaneous lip with altered tooth exposure.
2. Increased muscular tone at rest, leading to lip invagination and less exposure of the mucosal lip.
3. Loss of volume, projection, and contour, resulting in thin, dehydrated, and undefined lips.
4. Structural loss due to surrounding tissue resorption, leading to perioral wrinkles (smoker’s lines) and downturned lip corners (sad smile).

Therefore, if lip aging encompasses three-dimensional changes in the perioral region, it becomes evident that its rejuvenation also requires multi-level treatments, ranging from restoring lost bone volume to improving skin quality through hydration and collagen stimulation.

Benefits

• Improved hydration
• Enhanced lip contour, projection, and volume
• Correction or improvement of asymmetries
• Boosted self-esteem

Who Is It For?

This treatment is suitable for anyone looking to enhance the appearance of their lips (perioral region) and boost their self-esteem.

Additional Treatments

• Botulinum toxin for the lower third of the face
• Facial harmonization with a focus on 3M restructuring
• Injectable collagen stimulators
• Threads
• Liftera (Micro- and macro-focused ultrasound)
• Ablative or non-ablative laser treatments
• Chemical peels
• Microneedling with drug delivery
• Profhilo
• Skin boosters
• Personalized skincare routine

Contraindications

• Allergy to any of the components
• Active and uncontrolled autoimmune disease
• Active and uncontrolled inflammatory disease
• Active local infection
• Severe coagulation disorders
• Individuals under 18 years old (relatively and dependent on indication and legal guardian authorization)
• Pregnancy
• Breastfeeding (relatively)
• Severe and uncontrolled psychological disorders