Quick Lip Anatomy Lesson

As seen in Sunday Mail

The Sunday Mail’s ‘Live Well’ feature invited Dr Ross Perry to explain why the lips are red. Cue a quick anatomy lesson on lips – fascinating for anyone considering how to make the best of the lips with makeup or even lip fillers!

Dr Perry explained:

“.Lips look red because the skin on the lips is very thin and contains fewer layers than the rest of the body, making the underlying blood vessels more visible.

“Unlike other parts of your skin, the lips also have very little melanin, the pigment that gives skin its colour, so the redness from the blood underneath shows through more clearly.

“Also lips have a rich supply of capillaries or tiny blood vessels that bring oxygen and nutrients to the area, contributing to their naturally pink or red appearance. The combination of thin skin, low pigmentation and dense blood flow is what gives lips their red colour.”

Key facts about lip anatomy:

• The lips have a rich blood supply, which contributes to their color and sensitivity. The superficial vessels are located just beneath the skin, making the lips prone to swelling and bruising.
• The vermilion border is the line that separates the lip tissue from the surrounding skin. The vermilion (the coloured part of the lips) has no hair follicles and fewer sweat glands, which is why it appears more reddish.
• Lips have thin skin to make them flexible for talking, eating, drinking and expressions
• Lips have very little melanin – the red/pink colour is from the blood beneath, which shows through the thinner layers of skin.
• There are no sebaceous glands in the lips. This is what makes them more susceptible to drying and chapping

Injectable Lip Treatments

Lip Fillers and More

In the UK, several injectable lip treatments are available.

Lip fillers are the best known and have become hugely popular among those seeking a subtle boost or correction of volume loss. These cosmetic injectables are designed to enhance the fullness, shape, and overall appearance of the lips. The latest temporary lip fillers primarily use hyaluronic acid, a naturally occurring substance in the body that helps maintain moisture and adds volume.

How Does Lip Enhancement Work?

After consultation and discussion, a qualified healthcare professional injects the filler directly into the lips using a fine needle or cannula. The hyaluronic acid in the fillers attracts and retains moisture, leading to plumper, more hydrated lips. Most users see immediate results, although there may be some swelling afterward, which usually subsides within a few days.

The procedure can take anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes and results can last from 6 months to over a year. Gradually, the body breaks down the filler, and the effects will diminish over time; but treatment can be repeated to maintain results. Future treatments can also be adjusted as required to account for the ongoing ageing process or the patients’ changing preferences.

Who Are They For:

Lip fillers are generally suitable for a variety of individuals looking to enhance their lips. Common reasons people seek lip fillers include:

• Volume Enhancement: People who naturally have thinner lips or have lost volume due to aging.
• Shape Improvement: Individuals seeking to define or reshape their lips for a more balanced appearance.
• Correction of Asymmetry: Those wishing to address uneven lips or an imbalanced smile.
• Youthful Appearance: Many individuals seek fillers as they age to restore youthful fullness.

Top Lip Filler Brands and Products

At Cosmedics Skin Clinics, the Juvéderm range is a favourite. The products are based on hyaluronic acid and have an outstanding safety profile. They also contain a local anaesthetic so the injecting process is completely pain-free. Juvéderm options include:

• Juvéderm ULTRA: This versatile filler offers a smooth and natural look, making it ideal for enhancing lip volume and contour.
• Juvéderm Volite: Designed to improve skin hydration and elasticity, Volite can subtly enhance the lips while providing a series of skin benefits.
• Juvéderm Voluma: Though primarily known for cheek augmentation, Voluma can be used off-label to create more defined lip contours due to its robust lifting capacity.
• Juvéderm Volift: This filler combines elasticity and lift, providing a natural feel while enhancing lip shape and volume without compromising softness.
• Juvéderm Volbella: Formulated specifically for the lips and perioral area, Volbella delivers soft, natural-looking volume and smooths fine lines around the mouth.

Other brands and products you may come across include:

• Restylane Kysse: Specifically formulated for lip enhancement with flexibility and natural feel.
• Restylane Classic: Provides volume and structure to the lips.
• Teosyal Puresense Kiss: Focused on providing a natural look while enhancing lip volume and contour.
• Aliaxin Forte: Offers a thicker formulation for more significant lip enhancement.

→ Lip Enhancement

Lip Enhancing Injections

Some specific formulations such as lip repair treatments or skin boosters are now also available. These treatments are aimed at improving lip texture, hydration, and overall health, often using a combination of vitamins and hyaluronic acid.

Cosmedics Skin Clinics

Cosmedics Skin Clinics was established in 2003 and has built up an excellent reputation for cosmetic and medical skin treatments, carried out by GMC Registered Doctors.  The company offer a full range of cosmetic treatments, including popular lip enhancement and wrinkle relaxing injections, dermal fillers; plus medical treatments including mole removal, thread vein treatment and excessive sweating injections.

Cosmedics Skin Clinics has a team of skin treatment doctors and surgeons in their 5 skin clinics across London and Bristol led by Dr Ross Perry.

Call 020 7386 0464 or email info@cosmedics.co.uk to book an appointment.