Plastic Surgeon Daniel Ronel, M.D.

Volume loss of the lips occurs naturally with time, and replacing this volume can result in a more youthful appearance. By strategically injecting dermal fillers into parts of the lip and surrounding areas, the lips are plumped up and surrounding wrinkles are reduced. Filling around the lips may be just as important as filling the lips themselves: for example, the corners of the mouth can be lifted with the filler to decrease the appearance of sadness - the goal is to create a balance and harmony of the lips with the area that surrounds them.

Dr. Ronel says, "There are two parts of the lips that can be injected: the white roll, where the pink of the lip meet the skin under the nose, and the red line, the junction where the dry and wet parts of your lips meet."

Dr. Ronel currently uses Juvederm and Artefill because of their excellent safety profile and silkiness. Juvederm lasts about 6 months to one year, and Artefill lasts several years. Both fillers may require a touch-up procedure a few weeks after the initial injection.