While many of us expect to lose some facial volume as we age, some of us are still surprised to find that our lovely, plush lips also begin to lose volume as we get older. Loss of lip volume typically gives way to fine lines and wrinkles around the mouth and on the lips, and that can do a lot to prematurely age us. Fortunately, Ingrid E Trenkle, MD in Redlands, CA knows that most patients can benefit from fillers like Restylane Silk, which can smooth away wrinkles above the lip.
How Can You Get Rid of Wrinkles Above the Lip?
Several types of fine lines and wrinkles can form around the mouth. One of the better-known ones is smile lines, which form at the lip corners as a result of repeated smiles and laughter over a lifetime. But another type of line that leaves a distinctly different impression is perioral lines or the verticle lines above or below the lip border. Sometimes called smoker’s lines, perioral lines make the lips appear exceptionally wrinkled and withered.
Up until now, most dermal fillers for the lips have been mostly concerned with treating lip volume issues and friendly age-related concerns that are easier to treat, such as downturned lip corners. Because perioral lines become deeper with age and continued lip movement, it’s often the case that dermal fillers simply aren’t malleable or effective enough to address these lines. However, Restylane Silk is an ideal lip filler to get rid of wrinkles above the lips – and so much more.
Why Restylane Silk Instead of Other Lip Fillers?
To be sure, there are plenty of other lip fillers around. In fact, Juvederm Volbella is one of the most popular lip filler options in the world. But for the treatment of perioral lines and other signs of aging around the lips, Restylane Silk is our choice for an ideal filler – and we have a few reasons why.
Science-Based Formula
Perhaps the most persuasive argument for Restylane is the fact that the formula is based on scientific principles. For example, Restylane is made with NASHA Technology, a patented technology that allows for Restylane products to use unique particle sizes in all of their filler formulas. For the Silk filler, Restylane uses finer particles to fill in small wrinkles and lines, which is part of the reason why the formula for this filler is so silky. The particles of the gel-like filler are small enough to fill in even the smallest fine lines for total rejuvenation.
Hyaluronic Acid Formula
This particular filler is the first hyaluronic acid filler to be used on the lips. Before Silk, there wasn’t another viable filler that would produce the desired natural-looking and feeling results of this product. The hyaluronic acid found in this filler is structurally the same as the hyaluronic acid found naturally in your body, which means that this formula works with your body’s natural processes to restore skin smoothness.
Hyaluronic acid is itself a unique compound in the body that helps retain the body’s natural moisture barrier and also keeps collagen production within the skin steady. In fact, several studies suggest that collagen production increases when there is enough hyaluronic acid in the skin, which is part of the reason why hyaluronic acid has found its way into so many over-the-counter beauty products, including moisturizes and make-up.
Unique for Each Patient
Because of the way this Restylane filler is formulated, each patient will receive treatment that is unique to their individual needs. For Silk, patients can benefit from the product replacing the acids in the lips to restore natural volume. Even more exciting, because this unique filler is so silky, it’s very easy to make subtle improvements to the patient’s overall appearance, which allows for each treatment to be customized to the exact aesthetic goals of the patient.
Natural-Looking Results
The benefit of the silky, gel-like filler doesn’t stop at customizing the treatment. One of the more exciting benefits of this filler is the ability to produce natural-looking results. Many patients hesitate to choose dermal fillers for the fear of the results looking unnatural. But the silky, thin texture of this filler will allow for volume restoration that looks and feels like your natural lips.
The natural-looking results also mean that your results will feel natural, something that is important to patients who have partners. Your results will move and shape the same way your natural lips will, meaning you won’t have to worry about your mouth feeling “stiff” after your treatment. This filler essentially restores the youthful appearance of your lips without interfering with the natural shape, texture, or movement of the lips.
Hypoallergenic
Finally, unlike some other filler formulas, this Restylane filler for the lips is also hypoallergenic, meaning patients do not have an allergic reaction to the filler. The reason this treatment is hypoallergenic is that it is made with hyaluronic acid, a compound that can be found naturally in the body. Because your body recognizes the structure of the hyaluronic acid in the filler, it will not create an allergic reaction to the filler. This isn’t always true for fillers that use calcium or lactic acid.
What Can You Use Restylane Silk For?
This Restylane product can be used for a variety of reasons to restore the appearance of the lips. For example, many patients use this treatment for purely anti-aging purposes to treat perioral lines, smile lines, lipstick lines, and thinning lips. Other patients use this treatment to contour the appearance of the lips, such as increasing the volume of the top or bottom lip, correcting asymmetry, or even creating specific lip styles, such as a “keyhole” pout.
What Can You Expect From Treatment?
Overall, Restylane treatments are just as simple as any other dermal filler. For treating the lips, patients can expect several small injections to be made into different zones of the lips depending on the patient’s preferred aesthetic goals. The filler treatment can typically be performed in about 20 to 30 minutes. Some patients request the use of a topical numbing cream before the treatment, particularly if they have sensitive skin. Other steps in your treatment include:
Consultation
Before your first appointment, you will need to attend a consultation appointment that will allow us to get to know your lip concerns and your overall goals. We will pay special attention to the volume of your lips and any fine lines around the mouth so we can make the best treatment recommendation for you. Your consultation may include asking about your general medical information and any other lip-plumping treatments you have tried in the past.
During your consultation, we may also talk about your goals and expectations for treatment, including the lip style you want at the end of your treatment. If you have a particular lip style in mind, please bring in a reference photo so you and your provider can be on the same page about the results you are looking for.
Pre and Post Treatment
You will not have many guidelines to follow before or after your treatment, but you should follow all provided guidelines to ensure you get the results you want from your treatment. For example, one thing you will need to do is temporarily discontinue any blood-thinning medications or supplements you may be taking, such as Aspirin or Ginkgo. You should also reschedule your appointment if you have any active lip infections, such as cold sores or fever blisters.
After your treatment, you will be able to go back to work and resume your normal daily activities. It will be important that you keep your lips moist after your treatment, so it’s generally recommended that you drink plenty of water and avoid salty foods for at least 24 hours. You should also try not to move your mouth too much and you should not scrub or excessively touch your lips.
When Will You See Results?
Most people will notice an immediate improvement in the appearance of their lips within hours of the treatment. This is because the gel-like filler will immediately increase the volume of the lips as it is injected. Your results will continue to improve over the next two weeks as the filler settles into your skin and your skin begins to produce natural collagen to increase lip volume and fill in lines around the mouth.
How Long Will Restylane Silk Last?
The results of this lip filler will last for about six months at a time for most patients. Sometimes, the results of this treatment can last longer if patients are younger or if their body responds particularly well to the hyaluronic acid in the formula. Although not the longest-lasting lip filler on the market, the results of Restylane are typically better and more natural-looking than other filler results.
How Frequently Should You Have This Filler?
You should have this treatment about once or twice a year, depending on how long your results last. It’s always recommended that you wait until the results of your filler fully fade before you have another treatment so that your results will be accurate each time.
How Can You Maintain Results?
Aside from having additional treatments will your results fade, there are other things you can do to maintain your results. For example, keeping your body hydrated by drinking enough water will also help your lips look better. You should also regularly wear moisturizing lip products, such as chapstick, particularly during hot, cold, or windy weather. It’s best if your lip products also contain SPF to prevent the filler formula from breaking down prematurely from sun exposure.
Can You Combine This Treatment?
Yes, you can combine this Restylane filler with other treatments. In fact, it’s very common to combine this Restylane product with others in the Restylane collection to create comprehensive anti-aging results. You can also use other aesthetic treatments, such as Hydrafacial, to enhance the health and appearance of your skin between filler treatments.
Who Are Good Candidates?
People who are over the age of 21 and have concerns about the appearance of their lips are usually good candidates for this treatment. Because this treatment is hypoallergenic and customizable to your aesthetic goals, there are no skin tone or skin type restrictions associated with this treatment. However, you should not have this treatment if you are currently pregnant or if you have had a skin infection on the lips within two weeks of your appointment date.
Discover Restylane Silk Today!
Perioral lines have a way of making us look much older than we are – but fortunately, there is a treatment at your disposal that can help you smooth the appearance of these lines. From treating aging concerns around the mouth to contouring the appearance of the lips, Restylane Silk is the ideal treatment for most people. Contact Ingrid E Trenkle, MD in Redlands, CA to schedule your initial consultation today.
