As we age, the decreased production of new collagen and elastin molecules make lips appear thinner. They lose the vital subdermal structure needed to remain full and plump.
As we age, our bodies produce less collagen and elastin, which are necessary for skin to look full and plump. The lips are no exception. Without collagen production, the lips can lose their fullness and become very thin. If you want lips that are fuller, more youthful, and more kissable, there is a solution.
Thinning & Loss of Volume
Lips get their shape in part from collagen, and as we age, we produce less of this collagen, and the lips start to lose their plumpness.
Preventing sun damage, boosting moisture, and using essential oils are all great ways to plump your lips naturally, but if you are looking for fuller lips immediately, use makeup to create the illusion.
Lips can become swollen if fluid builds up in the skin tissue or if there is underlying inflammation. This causes them to appear larger than usual. Swollen lips have a range of causes, which vary from normal to potentially dangerous.
Lip swelling can be cause for concern since it often implicates an allergic reaction. When in contact with certain foods or chemical, this can cause sudden lip swelling. In addition, taking certain medication like ACE inhibitors, an injury to the face, or angioedema can cause puffy lips.
According to Ryan Neinstein, M.D., a plastic surgeon in New York City, our lips are made up of blood vessels, which become dilated during kissing.
Whereas the rest of the face may not show signs of getting older until patients reach their late 20s to 30s, lips can begin to lose important volume starting in the late teens. As the process continues and the mouth loses collagen, the lips can begin to flatten out and appear much thinner in just a few short years.
Gently exfoliate with a scrub designed for the lips, applied with a toothbrush. Brush in small, circular motions to help get the blood flowing in your lips, which will give them more natural volume and a healthy, rosy colour. Not only will your lips look naturally fuller, but you'll remove all the dead skin cells.
Understanding Aging Makes Beauty Timeless
Figure 1: In guys, the maximum upper lip thickness is reached around age 16, whereas it maximizes at 14 in girls; however, it begins to thin in both sexes after age 16.
What causes thin lips? While some people may have naturally thin lips, they can also be a sign of ageing, sun exposure or a result from smoking. As you get older the collagen in your lips breaks down and the muscles tire, leaving your lips looking and feeling thinner. This can also lead to wrinkles around the lips.
As we age, the supporting collagen, fat pads, and muscles in and around the lip area steadily diminish, resulting in thinner lips that are more visibly lined (2). Simultaneously, the redistribution of soft tissue can result in a flatter lip look (3).
According to Dr Marisa Coen in her essay for The Science of Relationships, fuller lips have long been desired by women because, as evolutionary psychology suggests, they signify strong mating potential. “Facial features serve as a cue of attractiveness,” explains Coen.
If you have a low body mass index (BMI), your face is likely to be thin and frail. And where can you expect to lose volume? You guessed it, your lips!
It is vital that you keep your lips hydrated by drinking enough water. Drinking sufficient water will help you get plump lips. Also, use a good lip balm with SPF.
For a fuller look, your plastic surgeon may inject fillers with hyaluronic acid or your own fat into your lips. Or you may opt for a lip implant or lip lift to permanently plump up your lips. Your plastic surgeon will help you decide which lip augmentation procedure is right for your lips and goals.
“Staying hydrated and promoting the production of collagen by drinking [plenty of] of water, getting eight hours of sleep, taking a probiotic, taking a multivitamin, and using an SPF in your lip products when outside will help [keep your lips looking full],” Patel says.
As you age, your body's production of collagen starts to slow down, which leads to sagging and reduction of volume in areas of your face, like your cheeks and your lips.
Most people can't focus on anything as close as a face at kissing distance so closing your eyes saves them from looking at a distracting blur or the strain of trying to focus. Kissing can also make us feel vulnerable or self-conscious and closing your eyes is a way of making yourself more relaxed.
The dopamine released during a kiss can stimulate the same area of the brain activated by heroin and cocaine. As a result, we experience feelings of euphoria and addictive behaviour. Oxytocin, otherwise known as the 'love hormone', fosters feelings of affection and attachment.
They need exercise too: You don't need to go under the knife to get fuller lips. Just as your muscles will get bigger from working out, your lips can too. Daily exercises with lip therapy will do the trick!