Red lip care

Dermatocosmetological approach to the skin of the red border of the lips

The peculiarity of the structure of the lips is the three sections of the lip: cutaneous, intermediate and mucous. The cutaneous section has a typical skin structure. The peculiarity of the structure of the dermis of this section is the presence of muscle fibers woven into it, providing mobility of the lip. The intermediate section of the lip is called the red border. It is lined with multilayered keratinizing epithelium, the peculiarity of which, in comparison with the epithelium of the skin of other areas, is its greater thickness and incomplete keratinization. Complete keratinization is preserved only in the corners of the mouth, therefore, with various pathological processes in this localization, cracks easily appear. In the area of the red border, there are no sweat glands and hair follicles, and small sebaceous glands are present in large quantities. The proper plate located under the epithelium is a connective tissue structure. It forms very high papillae, in which there are numerous capillary plexuses. Due to incomplete keratinization and numerous capillary networks shining through the thickness of the epithelium, the lips in the transitional section are red. The mucous section of the lip is a typical mucous membrane, it is lined with multilayered flat non-keratinizing epithelium. The place of transition of the epithelium of the red border into the epithelium of the oral mucosa is called the Klein zone and is a rather vulnerable area for the development of epithelial malignant neoplasms.

With improper care and without additional protection, the skin of the red border of the lips is subject to overdrying, peeling and cracks appear on the surface. Such bad habits as licking and biting lips, smoking, are a favorable background for the occurrence of some cheilitis.

Caring for the red border of the lips at home

Removal of decorative cosmetics from the skin of the lips should be done with special products intended for care of this area (milk, cream, etc.) that do not cause overdrying and irritation of the skin of the lips. After removing makeup, a light circular massage with a terry glove is recommended, followed by the application of a rich nourishing cream or lip balm.

In winter, before going outside, it is necessary to use softening balms, hygienic lipsticks, and when choosing decorative cosmetics, you should give preference to more oily, lip-softening products, and in the summer - moisturizing ones. All lipsticks are divided into two groups: decorative and medicinal-hygienic. The choice of lipstick is made individually, depending on the features of makeup, hair color, style of clothing and hairstyle, season, etc. Currently, lipsticks are produced in a wide range of colors (from silver-blue to black shades) and different textures (creamy, matte, pearl, etc.). Any lipstick must include a sun protection factor (SPF). Lipsticks can contain plant extracts (aloe, chamomile, lavender, ginkgo biloba), seaweed, nut seed oils, grapes, cinnamon, vanilla, fruit additives. It should be noted that the most durable types of lipsticks usually dry out the lips.

At home, in order to increase the tone of the lower facial muscles, improve blood supply to the skin of the lips and prevent aging, a set of gymnastic exercises for the lips is recommended.

Gymnastic exercises for lips

1. Stretch your lips forward ("blow on a candle") and relax. Repeat 30-40 times.
2. Take a full mouthful of air ("puff out your cheeks") and exhale it, first slowly and evenly, and then in bursts. Repeat 10-20 times.
3. Repeat all vowels multiple times. Finally, exhale strongly through tightly pressed lips. Repeat 10-15 times.
4. Move your lower jaw simultaneously with your lips, sequentially to the left and to the right. Repeat 10-20 times.
5. Stick out your tongue as much as possible and hold it there for 2-3 seconds. Remove your tongue and relax for 1-2 seconds. Repeat 5 times.
6. Whistling.

The maximum effect of the gymnastic complex develops with its regular performance. To increase the volume of the lips at home, the device "Lip Enhancer" ("Lip Enhancer") is offered. The mechanism of action of the device is associated with the creation of local negative pressure (vacuum) in the lip area, increasing their blood supply, and as a result - an increase in the size of the lips. The duration of use of the device is no more than 7 days, twice a day. The most common side effects are subcutaneous hematomas and allergic cheilitis, which occur due to the use of the lip protector.

Skin care around the lips in a cosmetology facility

After removing make-up using special products, it is recommended to use glycopiling (25, 50% glycolic acid solution) followed by applying a moisturizing mask and cream with a sun protection factor. The use of collagen sheets is recommended.

Basic physiotherapy procedures used for lip skin care

For comprehensive intensive care of the skin of the lips, the following physiotherapeutic procedures are recommended.

• Vaporization in combination with an ozone lamp is used to steam the skin of the face before vacuum and mechanical cleaning, as well as to improve the absorption of cosmetic creams and masks. The method is contraindicated in the presence of a network of dilated blood vessels and dry skin. When working with the vaporizer, protect your eyes from direct exposure to hot air with sponges soaked in a tonic solution for the eyelids.
• Peeling brushing is performed on the skin around the lips using brushes, sponges and peeling creams of various sizes and hardness. It allows you to effectively cleanse the skin, causes moderate dilation of blood vessels. Contraindications are pustular, fungal, viral lesions of the skin of the face, rosacea, allergic dermatoses.
• Disincrustation is performed in the area of the bridge of the nose, above the eyebrows, around the red border of the lips, in the chin area in the presence of open and closed comedones. The method is based on the principle of galvanization, using solutions of bicarbonate or sodium chloride (10%) on the active electrode. Due to therapeutic electrolysis, an alkali is formed at the negative pole, changing the pH of the skin, which promotes the dissolution and removal of sebum from the excretory ducts.
• Darsonvalization of the skin in the lip area is similar to its use in other areas of the face. It is carried out along the lines of least stretching of the skin, with arc movements (labile technique) or using a stable technique.

Depending on the skin type, darsonvalization is performed over talc, a dry antiseptic mask, or a finishing cream.

• The use of ultrasound and iontophoresis allows to enhance the effects of applied cosmetics and medicines.
• To prevent lip skin from wilting, the myostimulation method is used. The procedure is performed every other day, for a course of 10-15 sessions. Preventive courses are recommended twice a year. Patients under 35-40 years of age are recommended to prescribe this procedure.
• Currently, the method of microcurrent therapy has received wide application. The procedure is carried out every other day, for a course of 10-15 sessions. Preventive courses are recommended twice a year.
• Electrostatic massage can be used for age-related changes.
• Aromatherapy with essential oils. For normal skin, lavender, rosemary and lemon oils are recommended; for oily skin, clary sage, eucalyptus and lavender oils; for dry skin, chamomile, rosemary and rosewood oils (ylang-ylang), geranium oil.

To correct the shape and volume of the lips, correct the nasolabial folds, smooth out wrinkles above the upper lip, as well as scars, modern cosmetology offers various injection techniques, including filling procedures.