If you’re over 50, chances are you are pitching pennies in the fountain of youth when it comes to your appearance. A woman’s lips are one of the first things to show her age.  As we get older, the fullness of our lips tends to decrease as they become thinner and lose color. Sounds fun right? Well, as it turns out there are numerous ways to maintain the youthful appearance of our lips, and keep them looking plump.

What happens to our lips as we get older?

Research shows that after reaching adulthood we lose 1 percent of collagen each year as we age. Yikes! This unfortunately also affects our lips. Because the lips are supported with fat pads and muscle, when the collagen inside them diminishes, it in turns results in lips that are not quite as voluminous as they once were.

Quick fixes

Most of us don’t like how the information above sounds at all. But what can we do? Well, fear not. There are a few quick fixes that can give you the appearance of more youthful, plump-looking lips. Here they are…

• Exfoliate your lips

By using exfoliation, you can make your lips appear fresher and younger while eliminating dead skin. Doing this increases blood circulation to the lips, giving them a more natural juicy look without the need of lipsticks or lip gloss. A simple technique for this includes applying a generous amount of vaseline and gently brushing your lips with a soft toothbrush for around two minutes once a week.

• Add The right color  

Adding lipstick or lip stain can be a great way to make yourself appear more youthful. But these products can do more than just make you look younger – they can also make your lips appear more voluptuous. To achieve this, opt for lighter shades of lip products, as darker colors have a tendency to make lips look thinner. We suggest a light lip stain as opposed to lipstick, as it can last all day.

• Make it shine

Create a little bit of enchantment with some sparkle. Put clear lip gloss on the middle of your upper lip and the lower lip to give off the impression of larger lips. Pro-tip; You can apply some beige eye shadow to the perimeter of your top lip for an even more extreme pout.

• Keep them hydrated

Youthful lips are not usually dry and cracked. To maintain yours this way, the first step is to stay hydrated. Having a bottle of water nearby and drinking regularly will help to keep your body and lips moisturized. To make your pout more appealing in texture, remember to use a lip balm or other lip treatment to give them extra hydration, and use them often. 

• Protect your lips from the sun

Don’t forget sunscreen! Normally you don’t think of putting sunscreen on your lips but they definitely need it. Unprotected exposure to the sun can cause sunburns, wrinkles around the lips, and eventual thinning of the lips due to the effect of UV rays on collagen production. We don’t want that!  Applying lip balm with an SPF of at least 15 daily will provide protection. Don’t forget to reapply after eating and drinking!

• Longer lasting solutions

It’s worth noting that while these tips are quick fixes, it’s important to keep doing them to achieve longer lasting results. Sunscreen and moisturizing are especially important. 

• Consider lip enhancement treatments

If the tips mentioned above don’t give you your optimal desired outcome, lip enhancement treatments may be the solution. These include injectables and fillers like Restylane, Juvederm and RHA Density. These treatments require only a few minutes to give your lips a naturally softer and fuller look, and the effects can last from six months to a year. In certain cases, the results may even last longer depending on the filler chosen. Make sure you go with a trusted injector, as the right injecting technique makes the difference in the outcome and results. We love a great pout!