7 Types Of Lips: How To Enhance Your Natural Shape With Fillers
If you want to change your look, bolder lips are one of the best ways to spice things up. Full, luscious lips are a timeless and classic trend that never seem to go out of fashion for people of all age demographics and body types. Many people choose fillers to get the look they want, but a common myth about lip fillers is that they are only used for making lips larger. Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Robin Levin and her team at South Jersey Skin Care & Laser Center, who work with patients in the New Jersey area choosing Juvederm® and other dermal fillers for their lips, explain that this is far from the case.
Before making any decisions, it is important to have a clear idea of the type of look you want to achieve. We all have a distinct lip shape and pattern of lines determined by genetics and affected by other factors, such as aging or trauma. In fact, much like fingerprints, no two lip prints will be identical. That said, there are seven common lip types.
To understand how lip enhancement can be individualized for your features, it’s helpful to be aware of your lip type, as well as how fillers work. Hyaluronic acid fillers are designed to adjust the structure, shape, and volume of the lips. They do this by adding volume when injected and providing further benefits by binding to water molecules. These injectables provide reliable, consistent results, require minimal recovery time, and have minimal side effects. For example, Volbella®, a light and versatile filler from the Juvederm® family, has been shown in studies to offer a soft, subtle plumpness to the lips and smooth fine lines.
While patients often take inspiration from celebrities and models, you shouldn’t feel obliged to imitate someone else’s lips. It’s also important to consider the overall face structure to find the most balanced, proportional look that suits you.
1. Thin Lips
If—like many people—you look in the mirror and are unhappy with the thinness of your lips, Juvederm® may be the volume-boosting choice for you. Many patients prefer a subtle change that will be noticeable, but not obvious to others. To avoid the overexaggerated “duck lips” look, injectors prefer to take a conservative approach and add small amounts over the course of multiple sessions, especially if your lips are naturally small and thin.
2. Full Lips
Despite what some people may have told you, fillers aren’t just for people with tiny lips. Those who naturally have a thick top and bottom lip are good candidates as well, especially if they also have bigger facial features that mean a very pouty, punchy appearance wouldn’t look out of place. You can create a pillowy Instagram aesthetic or add more definition.
3. Heart-Shaped Lips
Cherry lips are youthful looking, with most of the volume in the middle. This is a very chic and popular look at the moment, but if you’re dissatisfied with this lip shape, it’s possible to fill out the sides of the lips more evenly.
4. Downward-Turned Lips
A combination of aging and gravity can cause the corners of the mouth to slope downward, making you look perpetually sad or angry. This look may also have been inherited from your family. A little filler can elevate the outer edges for a “happier” appearance.
5. Pronounced Cupid’s Bow
A sharply defined curve at the top center of the upper lip is seen as a desirable feature and one of the most frequently requested looks. Fillers can be used to emphasize this feature or create a Cupid’s bow if you don’t naturally have one.
6. Larger Upper or Lower Lip
The key to building an attractive lip shape is all about symmetry and specific ratios. Lip fillers are useful for correcting uneven lips by strategically adding volume.
7. Mature Lips
It’s common to experience flatness, lines, or a loss of definition caused by aging as the skin loses moisture and collagen. Fillers can restore the previous shape of your lips, refining the borders and Cupid’s bow.
Explore possibilities for your lips with Juvederm® at South Jersey Skin Care & Laser Center. To speak with the New Jersey-based team directly, call (856) 810-9888 or go to their website to submit a contact form.