As we age, the decreased production of new collagen and elastin molecules make lips appear thinner. They lose the vital subdermal structure needed to remain full and plump. Lack of moisture is another cause for premature thinning of lips.
Why Do Lips Thin as We Get Older? The reason lips thin out and loses their natural fullness is due to a gradual depletion of collagen and thinning of the lip muscles.
Some people are born with naturally thin lips, a result of genetics and DNA; however, thin lips can also occur as a result of age. As the skin loses its elasticity, which occurs when collagen production slows, this can have a damaging effect of the lips, causing them to lose firmness and take on a thinner appearance.
As we age, the supporting collagen, fat pads, and muscles in and around the lip area steadily diminish, resulting in thinner lips that are more visibly lined (2). Simultaneously, the redistribution of soft tissue can result in a flatter lip look (3).
As we age, our bodies produce less collagen and elastin, which are necessary for skin to look full and plump. The lips are no exception. Without collagen production, the lips can lose their fullness and become very thin. If you want lips that are fuller, more youthful, and more kissable, there is a solution.
Whereas the rest of the face may not show signs of getting older until patients reach their late 20s to 30s, lips can begin to lose important volume starting in the late teens. As the process continues and the mouth loses collagen, the lips can begin to flatten out and appear much thinner in just a few short years.
Studies have also shown that Caucasian women were found to have thinner lips than Asians, with the smallest upper lip height and volume.
Thinner lips are often the result of dehydration, so staying well hydrated will help keep your lips looking fuller and healthy.
Fortunately for your thinning lips, there are dermal fillers available that can pump them back up. The two primary products we offer, Juvéderm® and Restylane®, both use hyaluronic acid as the active ingredient.
Gently exfoliate with a scrub designed for the lips, applied with a toothbrush. Brush in small, circular motions to help get the blood flowing in your lips, which will give them more natural volume and a healthy, rosy colour. Not only will your lips look naturally fuller, but you'll remove all the dead skin cells.
Having thin lips might be a result of your genetics, but they can also be a sign of ageing and are most definitely a concern for many people. As we age, our lips will often lose their volume and become noticeably thinner. Because our lips are the focal point of the face, this can make you look old before your time.
Science has found that the most attractive lip shape has an upper-to-lower lip ratio of 1:2. Lips are most desirable in different shapes and forms for different people – 60% of people prefer a 1:1 ratio where the lips are completely symmetrical and evenly full.
Meet Andrea Ivanova: Woman with world's BIGGEST lips.
Professional lip treatments for fuller lips
Lip fillers can be used to help achieve a natural, defined lip or correct any asymmetry. Dermal fillers are a broad treatment which works to increase volume, fullness and enhance facial features.
The 1:1.6 proportion is widely accepted as the "golden ratio" for beautiful lips. By comparison, an image showing a fuller lower lip (1:2 ratio) was perceived as less attractive, with an average rating of 2.16 out of 5.
HYDRATE: It is vital that you keep your lips hydrated by drinking enough water. Drinking sufficient water will help you get plump lips. Also, use a good lip balm with SPF.
Well hydrated lips naturally appear fuller and bigger. You can use a nourishing lip balm and reuse it throughout the day whenever your lips feel dry. Apart from this, don't forget to drink enough water to stay hydrated from the inside. Your lips tend to get drier when your body is dehydrated.
As a normal part of aging, the upper lip thins, flattens, and can appear to fold over the teeth, leading to the appearance that the upper lip is kind of disappearing! Lips get their shape partly from collagen, and as we age, we produce less of this collagen, and the lips start to lose their plumpness.