As we age, our skin changes. This is simply a natural part of life—we all get older, and our bodies change because of it. One area this happens that people frequently notice is the lips: With time, they lose volume and become thinner.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Results obtained confirmed that as women age, their lips become thinner, while the area between the nose and the top lip become rounder. A more detailed investigation by age group confirmed that these changes wore most likely to start at around 40 years of age.
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).
“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.
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.
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.
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.
Fortunately for your thinning lips, there are dermal fillers available that can pump them back up. The two primary products we offer, Juvéderm® and Restylane®, both use hyaluronic acid as the active ingredient.
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. Lack of moisture is another cause for premature thinning of lips. The skin on the lips is different from other areas of the body.
Lips That Thin
As collagen production slows down, your once-voluminous lips can become thin and flat, which makes you look older and can throw off the natural balance of your face.
Yes, lip-plumping gloss is the most obvious step to getting bigger lips, but it's timeless for a reason: It really works. This super-shiny gloss is filled with plant extracts and hyaluronic acid to give you immediate fullness without any of the stinging, making it perfect for sensitive skin.
HYDRATE: 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.
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.
Thin Lips
If both your upper and lower lips are not so full, you likely fall under this category.
Based on their results, a pair of “average lips” has measurements of 7.8mm for the upper lip at the midline and 12.2mm for the lower lip.