Lips & Lines,
1. Beautiful Lips
Sydney cosmetic surgeon DR ANOOP RASTOGI explains to Jodi Thiessen sculpting beautiful lips is an art of its own.
As one ages the lips lose volume and this is further exacerbated by gum recession so that there is not as much support from the teeth and gums pushing the lips forward. As a result the lips appear too thin and become even smaller when smiling. The lips can be enhanced in a very subtle, natural manner to provide softness and youthfulness to the face without being extreme. With the use of newer filling materials it is possible to improve lip shape and size no matter what the patients age. "Theres a perception by women beyond their 30s and 40s that lip enhancement is only for younger people to have done" said Dr Rastogi. "In reality, the people who gain the greatest benefits are in the more mature age group." Sculpting the Lips Creating a beautiful and natural shape for the lip is a very individual matter . Some facial structures and features suite big lips, others suit a more moderate look. "The importance is the shape," says Dr Rastogi "Natural is beautiful". There are certain characteristics that enhance the beauty of natural lips and by accentuating and sculpting these features we can produce a more attractive lip. These include: (1) Highlighting the borders of the lip, so that when it catches the light it accentuates the pearly lip margin (2) Maintaining the natural shape of the cupids bow (3) Producing a subtle central fleshy pillow and a fleshy pulp on either side of the upper lip that mimics the natural shape of the lip. (4) Accentuating the natural fleshy pillow on either side of the lower lip (5) Producing a slight pout to the lower lip The ultimate shape and size of the lip will depend on the pre existing shape of the lip, and how much augmenting material is used. Dr Rastogi explains "I prefer to inject only one syringe-full at a time". This allows the patient to see the results at each stage, and increase size step wise in a subtle manner until the desired size is achieved. W hat to Put in Your Lips "My personal feeling is that one of the best things to be used is a dermal filler which is a natural component of skin and is a substance that holds moisture. "Said Dr Rastogi. Dermal fillers are a clear jelly and rarely reacts adversely to the body. It is non animal and non-perm anent and lasts for6 months and upwards (sometimes up to a year and beyond). "I find it better than permanent lip enlargements like goretex and other implants," Said Dr Rastogi. "The mouth is a very mobile part of the face and the implants can often move or extrude. "Other permanent procedures such as a lip flip can be very unnatural and may produce visible scars. While Dermal fillers may need to be repeated it is a very economical treatment, it has a very low complication rate and as the fashion changes and as the face changes with age, its use can be modified. Lips augmentation ranges from very subtle to very significant this is a matter of patient preference . However , careful, natural sculpting of the lips can impart softness and youthfulness to the face at any age.
"My personal feeling is that one of the best things to be used is a dermal filler which is a natural component of skin and is a substance that holds moisture."