As your collagen production drops, you may notice your lips losing their plumpness and the corners of your mouth dropping down.
On average, collagen production decreases about 1% per year after the age of 25, but the effects of this slowdown take time to become noticeable. Plus, not everyone ages quite the same, and many factors can either speed up or slow down collagen production.
Below, we asked our expert at Soulage Wellness and Aesthetic Center, Dr. Pompeyo Chavez, to explain how to prevent lip aging and mention what treatments are available for aging lips.
Glycation is a process through which sugar binds to collagen proteins, causing them to become misshapen, stiff, and inflexible. A diet high in sugar can lead to glycation, and a higher degree of glycation is more likely to occur in people suffering from metabolic conditions linked to high blood sugar levels, such as diabetes.
Your diet plays a crucial role in how you look, and collagen production is no exception. The building blocks of collagen are amino acids. Therefore, by eating foods that contain all the essential amino acids (e.g., meat, eggs, milk, and cheese), you give your body what it needs to boost collagen production.
The nicotine in cigarettes narrows blood vessels, which restricts blood flow to tissues all over your body, including your lips.
Blood carries oxygen and nutrients necessary to keep tissues healthy and plump. When blood circulation to the lips is reduced, not only can lips decrease in size but they can also darken or appear blotchy.
Injectables are a sure and fast way to add plumpness to your lips without undergoing a major procedure or spending too much time at the doctor’s office. They can also get faster results than dietary changes and other approaches that involve naturally boosting your body’s collagen production.
Most injectables last about six months to a year. If you don’t like the results or want more or less filler next time, certain injectables can be dissolved.
You can expect to see the full results of fillers in about 48 hours, after the swelling and bruising go away.
Most people are good candidates for injectables, but you may want to avoid injectables if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding.
If you aren’t happy with the size of your lips and are looking for a quick fix, contact us to schedule an appointment. Dr. Chavez is more than happy to examine your lips and recommend injectables that suit your cosmetic goals. In addition to aging lips, Dr. Chavez also treats volume loss in the face and facial wrinkles.
