After the eyes, the area around the mouth is one of the first parts of the face to show signs of aging. It’s always moving - talking, eating, drinking and even puckering up to smooch those we love the most. The combination of movement, aging and sun damages results in changes that have many of our patients moan, “but I’ve never smoked a cigarette!”

Several changes work together to make the area around our mouth look older. Many people come in wanting to fix the “parentheses” (also known as nasolabial folds). These are the arching lines that go from the corners of the nose to the corners of the mouth. A few years later, we start seeing these move even lower, creating marionette lines (or melomental folds) which track south from the corners of the mouth, often creating a sad appearance. 

Badly placed, inexpert use of filler can create some of the unnatural looks we all want to avoid - the look of a muzzle, trout pout, or even a chipmunk gathering nuts for winter! Don’t let bad filler scare you off treatment. Dr. Gelber teaches use of safe fillers to doctors and nurses so they can learn how to create the natural and beautiful looks we achieve for our patients every day. Depending on someone’s needs, we often use lasers, PRP, PDO threads and a mix of natural fillers: such as Juvederm Ultra, Juvederm Ultra Plus, Restylane, Belotero and Vobella - the latest filler specifically designed to fill in lipstick lines without adding bulk - those scary lips we have all seen and hate. 

As we get older, the lips themselves appear to thin out. Some of these changes are due to the lips getting smaller and this can be corrected with filler, without creating unattractive looks (“trout pouts”). When one side of the lips is slightly smaller than the other or shaped differently filler can also enhance the symmetry of the smile. For some patients, medicines which relax muscles like Botox and Xeomin can also help with both symmetry and lines around the lips.

PDO threads and PRP can also be used to help the body naturally restore the collagen and elasticity we lose in this area with aging.

Finally, the very best treatment for lines, texture, and sun damage, as well as lift and tightening around the mouth are treatments which smooth out the surface and work to stimulate more collagen growth deeper in the skin. Dr. Gelber is an international expert and lecturer on a variety of treatment with both lights and lasers which can leave you with healthier, smoother skin - even erasing deep wrinkles and recreating lip borders which have blurred out with age!

The best solution for each individual depends on where they are at, and where they would really like to get to. We would love to customize a treatment plan to leave you loving your smile, and everything around it, today! Please contact us to schedule a consultation with the doctor - call (775) 298-1750 or email us at office@tahoeaestheticmedicine.com