Miami Herald Logo

How to choose the right cosmetic treatments for younger-looking lips | Miami Herald

×
  • E-edition
  • Home
    • Site Information
    • Contact Us
    • About Us
    • Herald Store
    • RSS Feeds
    • Special Sections
    • Advertise
    • Advertise with Us
    • Media Kit
    • Mobile
    • Mobile Apps & eReaders
    • Newsletters
    • Social
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Google+
    • Instagram
    • YouTube

    • Sections
    • News
    • South Florida
    • Miami-Dade
    • Broward
    • Florida Keys
    • Florida
    • Politics
    • Weird News
    • Weather
    • National & World
    • Colombia
    • National
    • World
    • Americas
    • Cuba
    • Guantánamo
    • Haiti
    • Venezuela
    • Local Issues
    • Crime
    • Education
    • Environment
    • Health Care
    • In Depth
    • Issues & Ideas
    • Traffic
    • Sections
    • Sports
    • Blogs & Columnists
    • Pro & College
    • Miami Dolphins
    • Miami Heat
    • Miami Marlins
    • Florida Panthers
    • College Sports
    • University of Miami
    • Florida International
    • University of Florida
    • Florida State University
    • More Sports
    • High School Sports
    • Auto Racing
    • Fighting
    • Golf
    • Horse Racing
    • Outdoors
    • Soccer
    • Tennis
    • Youth Sports
    • Other Sports
    • Politics
    • Elections
    • The Florida Influencer Series
    • Sections
    • Business
    • Business Monday
    • Banking
    • International Business
    • National Business
    • Personal Finance
    • Real Estate News
    • Small Business
    • Technology
    • Tourism & Cruises
    • Workplace
    • Business Plan Challenge
    • Blogs & Columnists
    • Cindy Krischer Goodman
    • The Starting Gate
    • Work/Life Balancing Act
    • Movers
    • Sections
    • Living
    • Advice
    • Fashion
    • Food & Drink
    • Health & Fitness
    • Home & Garden
    • Pets
    • Recipes
    • Travel
    • Wine
    • Blogs & Columnists
    • Dave Barry
    • Ana Veciana-Suarez
    • Flashback Miami
    • More Living
    • LGBTQ South Florida
    • Palette Magazine
    • Indulge Magazine
    • South Florida Album
    • Broward Album
    • Sections
    • Entertainment
    • Books
    • Comics
    • Games & Puzzles
    • Horoscopes
    • Movies
    • Music & Nightlife
    • People
    • Performing Arts
    • Restaurants
    • TV
    • Visual Arts
    • Blogs & Columnists
    • Jose Lambiet
    • Lesley Abravanel
    • More Entertainment
    • Events Calendar
    • Miami.com
    • Contests & Promotions
    • Sections
    • All Opinion
    • Editorials
    • Op-Ed
    • Editorial Cartoons
    • Jim Morin
    • Letters to the Editor
    • From Our Inbox
    • Speak Up
    • Submit a Letter
    • Meet the Editorial Board
    • Influencers Opinion
    • Blogs & Columnists
    • Blog Directory
    • Columnist Directory
    • Andres Oppenheimer
    • Carl Hiaasen
    • Leonard Pitts Jr.
    • Fabiola Santiago
    • Obituaries
    • Obituaries in the News
    • Place an Obituary

    • Place an ad
    • All Classifieds
    • Announcements
    • Apartments
    • Auctions/Sales
    • Automotive
    • Commercial Real Estate
    • Employment
    • Garage Sales
    • Legals
    • Merchandise
    • Obituaries
    • Pets
    • Public Notices
    • Real Estate
    • Services
  • Public Notices
  • Cars
  • Jobs
  • Moonlighting
  • Real Estate
  • Mobile & Apps

  • el Nuevo Herald
  • Miami.com
  • Indulge

Skin Deep

How to choose the right cosmetic treatments for younger-looking lips

By Dr. Leslie Baumann

    ORDER REPRINT →

February 02, 2018 06:29 PM

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, you might be thinking about getting a lip rejuvenation treatment so you can pucker up with smooth, kissable lips. If you’re having a difficult time deciding which lip treatment could be right for you, following these three important tips can help.

First: Choose the right doctor

The lip area can be particularly tricky to get just right because it is one of the most noticeable and defining features of your face. Unnatural looking, poorly shaped or extra large lips make you look older rather than younger. Because of this, you want to make sure that you choose an experienced and qualified artistic doctor who has an eye for aesthetics, symmetry and detail. The best doctors to inject the lips often have artistic hobbies, so look for an art lover.

Believe it or not, perfecting the size, shape, and proportions of the lips requires anatomy knowledge, experience injecting dermal fillers and an artistic eye. It is crucial that you find a doctor who understands the “golden ratio” of lip proportions and who knows the proper techniques in order to achieve your desired results. You also do not want someone to inject your lips who is rushed and does not have time to carefully consider your aesthetic needs. Remember, you get what you pay for when it comes to lip injections. If it seems too cheap, stay away. It is also worth noting that illicit injectors have become a widespread concern, especially here in Miami, so double-check that the person who will inject your lips is not only qualified to perform lip injections but that he or she is also using safe, legal products.

Sign Up and Save

Get six months of free digital access to the Miami Herald

SUBSCRIBE WITH GOOGLE

#ReadLocal

In Florida, only medical doctors, physician assistants and nurse practitioners may legally inject dermal fillers. I refer to these as “providers” because they “provide medical care.” I suggest that you ask how many injections the provider has performed before you allow them to do your lips. A syringe of filler should cost $500-$800 on the average here in Florida. Usually, one syringe is enough to treat the lips.

Second: Know your lip augmentation options

Before moving ahead with your lip treatment, you should have the opportunity to sit down with your provider and discuss your goals and options. Bring photos of lips shapes that you would like to discuss with your doctor. It is helpful to have a general understanding of your filler options and what the major differences are between them. If you want to see some videos about different types of fillers for the lips, visit Baumann Cosmetic & Research Institute on YouTube.

If you’re interested in lip injections to achieve a fuller, poutier look, dermal fillers are going to be the most effective options. The best dermal fillers for lips contain hyaluronic acid (HA), which is already naturally present in your skin. HA works by binding to water molecules and temporarily plumping the lips. Two of my favorite HA fillers for the lips are Restylane Silk and Juvederm Vollure. These are very safe reversible products that can achieve very natural-looking results in the lips when used by an artistic injector.

Neuromodulators like Botox and Dysport (also called BTXA) can be used to smooth the vertical “barcode” or “smoker’s” lines that sometimes form on the upper lip, but they are not used to plump the lips themselves. These injectable treatments work by temporarily relaxing the underlying muscle contractions that cause dynamic expression lines. Unfortunately, BTXA injections decrease movement around the mouth, which can look fake and give you an asymmetrical smile, so I am not a big fan of this type of lip injections. Topical BTXA treatments are currently in the research phase and are not yet available.

Microneedling, PRP and topical retinoids are also options for getting rid of barcode/smoker’s lines around the mouth. Ask your doctor about these treatments if you are unhappy with the lines around your mouth. Permanent makeup can enhance the border of the lip when done correctly.

Third: Have realistic goals

You can bring a few photos of the lips you’d like to your consultation to help you explain your specific goals. Keep in mind, however, that you need to find an experienced artistic provider and trust them to choose what fillers and cosmetic treatments are best to shape your lips. Lips that are out of proportion with your other facial features will end up looking fake. Go slowly and be conservative to get the best results.

Dr. Leslie Baumann is a board-certified dermatologist, New York Times best-selling author and CEO of Baumann Cosmetic & Research Institute in Miami.

  Comments  

Videos

Zion Williamson injured as Duke falls to North Carolina

Miami brothers sell some of the most expensive homes in the world

View More Video

Trending Stories

It’s not so hard for an immigrant to become a U.S. citizen. Here’s what you have to do

February 20, 2019 01:20 PM

Think Florida is a ‘sinful’ place to live? You’re right, according to this new study

February 20, 2019 01:18 PM

Americans arrested in Haiti driving around with an arsenal are flown to the U.S.

February 20, 2019 06:54 PM

Here are two young players the new Dolphins staff really likes. And two issues looming

February 20, 2019 04:00 PM

Rating Reggie McKenzie’s Oakland drafts a preview of what he can bring to Miami Dolphins

February 19, 2019 12:59 AM

Read Next

Help! My lips look lumpy after filler

Skin Deep

Help! My lips look lumpy after filler

By Dr. Leslie Baumann

    ORDER REPRINT →

February 19, 2019 01:06 PM

Ending up with lumps and bumps on your lips after your filler appointment probably isn’t what you had in mind.

KEEP READING

Sign Up and Save

#ReadLocal

Get six months of free digital access to the Miami Herald

SUBSCRIBE WITH GOOGLE

MORE SKIN DEEP

How to avoid bad lip fillers and dreaded ‘duck lips’

Skin Deep

How to avoid bad lip fillers and dreaded ‘duck lips’

February 04, 2019 10:58 AM
Must-know tips for your lips before Valentine’s Day

Skin Deep

Must-know tips for your lips before Valentine’s Day

January 17, 2019 01:15 PM
Three top New Year’s resolutions for your skin

Skin Deep

Three top New Year’s resolutions for your skin

December 31, 2018 02:56 PM
Are your Lululemons giving you an itchy rash?

Skin Deep

Are your Lululemons giving you an itchy rash?

December 18, 2018 12:51 PM
Five easy skin fixes for men over 60

Skin Deep

Five easy skin fixes for men over 60

December 07, 2018 01:00 PM
Here are a few lasting beauty tricks for women over 60

Skin Deep

Here are a few lasting beauty tricks for women over 60

November 23, 2018 05:48 PM
Take Us With You

Real-time updates and all local stories you want right in the palm of your hand.

Icon for mobile apps

Miami Herald App

View Newsletters

Subscriptions
  • Start a Subscription
  • Customer Service
  • eEdition
  • Vacation Hold
  • Pay Your Bill
  • Rewards
Learn More
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Newsletters
  • News in Education
  • Public Insight Network
  • Reader Panel
Advertising
  • Place a Classified
  • Media Kit
  • Commercial Printing
  • Public Notices
Copyright
Commenting Policy
Privacy Policy
Terms of Service


Back to Story