An ideal and beautiful lip should feature a clearly defined lip contour with distinct lip peaks and valleys, a prominent lip pearl, elevated lip peaks, slightly upturned corners, and a smooth, dynamic lip line. The height of the upper lip should be similar to that of the nasal tip, forming an angle of approximately 90° with the columella.The upper lip should be 5–8mm thick, the lower lip 10–13mm thick, harmonizing with the chin. The mouth width should be 36–45mm, proportionate to the nose width, face width, and distance between inner canthi. From the side, the upper lip should slightly protrude beyond the lower lip. The lip surface should be smooth without wrinkles or peeling, with a rosy hue, fullness, and charm.For men, a well-defined square lip is considered attractive, while for women, fullness and plumpness are valued. This issue shares a three-step process for sculpting beautifully hydrated lips.
Our thin skin and nearly transparent mucous membranes are highly vulnerable to damage. Lip skin is only one-third as thick as skin elsewhere on the body. Since the vermilion border lacks sweat and salivary glands, its moisture relies entirely on a dense network of capillaries and a few underdeveloped sebaceous glands. Lips themselves contain no melanin and lack self-protective functions. Therefore, we must take extra care to maintain their softness and radiance.
Among current cosmetic lip enhancement techniques, lip augmentation primarily involves injectable procedures. Commonly used materials include hyaluronic acid, collagen, Aquafill, and autologous fat. Autologous fat transfer costs 4,000-6,000 RMB per session, while injectable materials range from 4,000-6,000 RMB per ml. For lip corner lifting, surgical methods and Botox injections are the most prevalent approaches.Surgical procedures cost 12,000-15,000 RMB per session, while Botox injections range from 2,000-6,000 RMB per ml. For lip color enhancement, lip tattooing is most commonly used, priced at 800-1,500 RMB per session.
Step 1 — Hyaluronic Acid Lip Augmentation
Thin lips refer to lips that are relatively thin, often accompanied by indistinct cupid's bow and philtrum. Thin lips fail to highlight the beauty of the mouth, thereby diminishing facial charm. Thin lips can make women appear less sensual, and from a facial feature perspective, women with thin lips are often perceived as less appealing.
Hyaluronic acid lip augmentation involves injecting the material into the lips to increase subcutaneous tissue volume, thereby supporting sunken areas and achieving fuller lips. The procedure takes only 10 to 30 minutes, delivering immediate, natural-looking results. The outcome appears natural without stiffness or artificiality, remains stable without shifting or deformation, and offers ideal effects. It is currently the best minimally invasive cosmetic method for lip enhancement.
For hyaluronic acid lip augmentation, three to four injection points are selected in the subcutaneous tissue of the lips. Small amounts of hyaluronic acid are injected into the areas requiring enhancement. The injected areas are sculpted before the filler hardens, instantly creating fuller, plumper lips. Mild swelling may occur immediately after injection but typically subsides within a few days.
Suitable Candidates: Individuals with thin lips or age-related lip atrophy
Post-Procedure Effects: Mild redness and swelling may occur, subsiding within 24-48 hours. Results last 6-12 months.
Contraindications: Individuals under 18 years old, pregnant or breastfeeding women, those with inflammation or infection at the injection site, individuals allergic to the agent, or those currently taking anticoagulants.
Post-Procedure Care: Avoid excessive facial expressions for two weeks post-injection. Steer clear of high-temperature environments (e.g., saunas). Do not touch or massage the injection site.Drooping corners visually add years to one's appearance and convey an air of displeasure, unapproachability, and aloofness. This significantly impacts first impressions and can negatively affect interpersonal relationships. Drooping corners typically result from excessive contraction of the depressor anguli oris muscle, skin laxity, or insufficient soft tissue support around the mouth.Botox, a purified protein derived from Clostridium botulinum, acts on nerve endings and muscles. Botox injections lift the corners of the mouth by reducing muscle strength to correct drooping. The cost ranges from 2000-6000 RMB per vial.
During Botox injection, a "small volume, multiple points" technique is used to evenly inject the muscles around the corners of the mouth, lifting them by blocking nerve transmission. Each session takes about 10 minutes. Patients may experience a slight mosquito bite-like sensation during injection, followed by mild redness and swelling that typically subsides within 24-48 hours.
Suitable Candidates: Individuals with drooping corners of the mouth.
Post-Treatment Effects:Results appear within one week post-injection, with effects lasting 6-12 months.
Contraindications: Individuals allergic to BOTOX, those with specific medical conditions (severe liver, kidney, heart, or lung disease), pregnant women, and minors.
Post-Procedure Care: Remain seated and rest after injection; keep the injection site clean, dry, and free from irritation for 24 hours; avoid excessive laughing or crying for 3 days post-procedure;Avoid antibiotics, spicy foods, seafood, tobacco, alcohol, and hard foods. Refrain from skin treatments and saunas for one week post-procedure.
Step 3—Lip Tattooing & Color Enhancement
Lip tattooing, also known as lip pigmentation, uses a tattooing technique to puncture the skin. Pigment solution is then applied to alter lip contrast, define lip lines, and add color, achieving corrective and beautifying effects.
Pigment selection is crucial. Commonly used shades include rouge red, peach (dark peach, light peach, pink), vermilion, rose red, chrysanthemum red, and deep red. These cosmetic pigments consist of distilled water and non-toxic, insoluble dyes, posing no harm to human health.Once the pigment enters the lip tissue, it has minimal short- or long-term effects on the body. In fact, it is significantly safer than applying lipstick (excluding low-quality pigments). The cost ranges from 800 to 1500 yuan per session.
Lip tattooing employs tattooing techniques. Under anesthesia, pigment solution is first injected along the pre-designed lip line to establish shape and contour. The entire lip is then tattooed according to individual preferences until the desired color is achieved.
Suitable Candidates: Individuals with undesirable lip color or scarring from trauma.
Post-Procedure Results: No downtime required; results are long-lasting.
Contraindications: Not suitable for those with acute/chronic lip inflammation, heart disease, hypertension, pregnant women, or menstruating females. Lip tattooing may accentuate defects in overly thick or protruding lips.
Post-procedure care: Apply intermittent cold compresses for 24 hours post-procedure. Take antibiotics as prescribed and apply locally. Avoid hot, scalding, or spicy foods for 7 days; consume ample fruits and vegetables. Rinse mouth with mild saline solution after meals to maintain oral and lip hygiene. Allow scabs to fall off naturally; do not peel them off manually.