The lips are the considered to be the central feature of the lower portion of the face. Full and well-defined lips can show a sense of health, youth, sexuality, and general attractiveness. People have an innate sense for finding certain looks or proportions to be balanced and attractive. The shape of a person’s lips is predetermined genetically, leading some people to have thick and full lips, while others may have lips that are thinner by comparison.

The lips reach their fullness in a person’s late teenage years or the early twenties. Flat and skinny lips are a result of the aging process. Over time, as the lips age with the rest of the body, they become flatter and thinner, losing volume. With aging, the skin becomes less elastic as a result of natural loss of collagen. Cumulative damage from exposure and sun damage can also promote wrinkling, irregular pigmentation, and a loss of firmness, which make for an aged appearance. Facial fat is also reduced in volume, and in its distribution. The combination of these factors eventually cause the lips to look thinner and flatter over time Fortunately there are a variety of cosmetic solutions to restore the appearance of full and healthy lips.

A loss of volume in the lips can cause them to look flatter and thinner over time.

Changes in lip shape also occur gradually as a natural part of the aging process. As the skin ages, it loses volume and elasticity, causing skin to thin out and lose firmness.

When it comes to taking good care of your skin, your lips should be no exception. Keep your lips protected and moisturized by applying either a lip balm or lipstick during and after sun exposure.Look for formulas that are enhanced with micro-fillers to intensely hydrate and smooth the surface of your lips. Choose lip balm and glosses that are SPF rated for protection against UV rays. By making nightly applications of either a colorless lip balm or clear lip gloss a bedtime ritual, you’ll maintain softer lips all year round.

Too much sun can take a heavy toll on the appearance of skin. To prevent the premature signs of aging caused by sun damage, here are some tips to protect your lips.

Limit sun exposure: Reducing your time in the sun is perhaps the easiest way to avoid damage to your skin caused by UV rays. When outdoors, set a time limit and seek shade when necessary. Also keep in mind that UV radiation is the strongest between the hours of 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Use Lip Glosses and Balms with Sunscreen: Many lipsticks contain sunscreens that protect against the sun’s harmful UV rays. Make sure to choose one with an SPF 15 rating or higher, and remember to apply generously and frequently.

Cover and protect: Wearing a wide-brimmed hat when outdoors, can provide your lips with extra protection against the sun.In addition, avoid factors such as smoking, which can also cause the skin to lose volume and firmness.

OTC
Although the shape and volume of lips may change over time, there are a number of ways to enhance their look and restore fullness. Gentle exfoliators can be used to get rid of excess dead skin cells and can help get blood circulating to the lips which can result in a fuller look.Over-the-counter products such as lip glosses and cosmetic fillers are helpful in giving lips a fuller appearance. Lipsticks that contain moisturizers can also help keep the lips plump and hydrated.

Procedures
Volumetric lip enhancement procedures such as collagen injections are commonly used to retore fullness to the lips. Other injectable fillers include hyaluronic acid products such as Teosyal, Restylane, and Juvederm, which are considered natural in feel and appearance.Procedures such as fat transferring may also be used to restore fullness to the lips.