Generally around 35 years of age, the lips will begin to flatten and thin out, the corners droop, and the lip lines begin to form. As lips lose their fullness it makes the mouth look smaller, giving an aging effect to the face. Lips also lose their smoothness and become less plump due to a breakdown in collagen and the loss of subcutaneous fat within the lips. Furthermore, the collagen breakdown causes our lips to lose elasticity, making fine lines and deeper wrinkles more evident on and around the lips. Also noticeable is the reduction in the lips' bright redness.
Numerous injectable fillers have entered the market over the last five years giving women a number of options for fuller, younger-looking lips. Not all are created equally, however, as some fillers carry a higher risk of complication depending upon where they are injected, which can lead to unsatisfactory results such as visible lumps and clumping. Since some fillers can last between one and two years, any associated complications can last for several months. The gold standard for augmenting the lip is hyaluronic acid fillers, which last three to six months. Hyaluronic acids carry a reduced risk because of their short-term results. Collagen can be used, but due to collagen's high cost, hyaluronic acids are considered superior.
Cosmetic lip tattoos enhance the lips with more natural-looking results for a much longer period of time and without the same risk of complications. Unlike injectable fillers, lip tattoos can also create a superior vermillion border and enhance the lips' natural color, restoring an alluring vitality to the face. Such procedures are not just for women who want to have the lips of a heralded celebrity, but simply to turn back the hands of time.
Of course, lip tattoos can also be done as the finishing touch after lip plumping injections to better complete the desired enhancement.
