Classification of the Aging Lips: A Foundation for an Integrated Approach to Perioral Rejuvenation

Lip Feminization and Rejuvenation in Patients Assigned Male at Birth With Gender Dysphoria: Our 27-year Experience

Background

Despite the increasing demand, the combination of lip feminization and rejuvenation in patients assigned male at birth with gender dysphoria is rarely reported in the medical literature. We present our 27 years of experience performing these procedures in this patient population.

Methods

All patients assigned male at birth with gender dysphoria from 1997 to 2023 were included and grouped into 4 age categories. Combined surgical procedures were performed to achieve lip rejuvenation and feminization, with detailed descriptions of the techniques used. Results were evaluated three months postsurgery using the Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale and the Global Satisfaction Scale. Complications and outcomes were documented, and statistical analysis was conducted to compare the differences between the results obtained.

Results

During a 27-year period, 988 patients underwent 1789 procedures. Of these, 79.8% were younger than 50 years, with the largest group being between 20 and 35 years (47.6%). However, patients older than 65 had the highest average number of procedures (2.4 per patient). The results showed a high degree of improvement and satisfaction on both evaluated scales. There were only 2 hematomas, both resolved without incident. The main issues were volume loss after fat infiltration (14.3%) and poorly positioned scars in lip lifts (13.2%).

Conclusions

Surgical procedures to feminize and rejuvenate lips can be combined in patients assigned male at birth with gender dysphoria, achieving highly satisfactory results, high patient satisfaction, and few complications.

Efficacy and Safety of a New Resilient Hyaluronic Acid Filler in the Correction of Moderate-to-Severe Dynamic Perioral Rhytides: A 52-Week Prospective, Multicenter, Controlled, Randomized, Evaluator-Blinded Study

BACKGROUND

The perioral region is highly mobile and subject to multifactorial changes during aging. Resilient Hyaluronic Acid Redensity (RHAR), an RHA filler, was developed with the aim of optimizing outcomes in dynamic facial areas.

OBJECTIVE

This randomized, blinded, multicenter clinical study aimed to demonstrate superiority of RHAR over no-treatment control for correction of moderate-to-severe dynamic perioral rhytides.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Blinded live evaluator assessments of efficacy included improvement in perioral rhytides severity using a proprietary scale (Perioral Rhytids Severity Rating Scale [PR-SRS]) and the Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale. Subjects self-assessed their results with FACE-Q, a validated patient-reported outcome measure, and satisfaction scales. Safety was monitored throughout the study based on common treatment responses (CTRs) and adverse events (AEs).

RESULTS

The primary efficacy end point was achieved, with the treatment group showing statistically significant superiority over the control group at Week 8 (80.7% vs 7.8% responder rate by PR-SRS, p < .0001). Most patients (66%) were still responders at Week 52 (study completion). Most AEs were CTRs after perioral injection of a dermal filler, and none was a clinically significant treatment-related AE.

CONCLUSION

Resilient Hyaluronic Acid Redensity is effective and safe for the correction of dynamic perioral rhytides in all Fitzpatrick phototypes, with marked durability.

An Objective, Quantitative Assessment of Flexible Hyaluronic Acid Fillers in Lip and Perioral Enhancement

BACKGROUND

HARK is an FDA-approved flexible filler designed for lips.

OBJECTIVE

To quantitatively evaluate subject outcomes by measuring the change in lip texture, color (redness), lip fullness, and lip and perioral surface stretch (dynamic strain) after treatment.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

In this 8-week open-label, Phase IV multicenter study, subjects were treated with HARK in the lips and HARR and/or HARD in perioral wrinkles and folds as add-on treatment. Assessments included 2D photographic analyses of lip texture and color, and 3D photographic assessments of lip enhancement and dynamic strain.

RESULTS

HARK significantly improved lip texture (p ≤ .002), lip redness (p < .001), and added fullness to the lips (lip enhancement measurements; p < .001), at Week 8 after treatment. In addition, lower lip wrinkles were significantly reduced (p = .007) and there was a reduction in upper lip wrinkles (not statistically significant). Surface stretch (dynamic strain) in the lip and perioral region was significantly increased after treatment (p < .001).

CONCLUSION

This analysis provides an objective measure of the beneficial effects of flexible hyaluronic acid fillers in lip augmentation and perioral enhancement and demonstrates a significantly improved lip texture, red color, and fullness. A significant increase in surface stretch (dynamic strain) is indicative of tissue expansion and improvement in lip smoothness.

A combined method of oral commissure lifting for perioral rejuvenation in Asians

BACKGROUND

A drooping oral commissure shows an appearance of ageing and sadness. To improve it with less complications has become a rising aesthetic concern for Asians.

OBJECTIVES

To share our method for oral commissure lifting by a combined technique including skin resection, oral commissure suspension, and dissection of the depressor anguli oris muscle (DAO), and to present the follow-up outcomes.

METHODS

This was a retrospective study of patients who underwent oral commissure lifting between 10/2012 and 03/2019 at the Department of Plastic Surgery, Peking University Third Hospital. The patients were routinely followed at 1 week, 1 month, and over 6 months. After operation, cases with the cheilions (oral commissure points) located above the ipsilateral lateral thickening points were considered to be effective, with the points at the same level were considered to be mildly effective, and with the cheilions below the ipsilateral lateral thickening points were considered to be ineffective treatment.

RESULTS

Surgery took around an hour. Swelling subsided within 9.2±3.4 days. The red color of the scar disappeared within 3.7±1.5 months and the natural facial expression was restored within 7.9±2.6 weeks. Among the 159 cases, 125 (78.6%) were obviously effective, 21 (13.2%) were mildly effective, and 13 (8.2%) were ineffective. After the first operation, 112 patients (70.4%) were satisfied, 39 patients (24.5%) were basically satisfied, and eight patients (5.0%) were unsatisfied.

CONCLUSIONS

The combined technique for the oral commissure lifting displayed a significant effect with little complication in Asian patients.

Comprehensive histological investigation of age-related changes in dermal extracellular matrix and muscle fibers in the upper lip vermilion

OBJECTIVE

Few histological studies have directly examined age-related changes within the lips, although non-invasive investigations of such changes are increasing. Therefore, this study aimed to provide histological and molecular data on age-dependent alterations in the vermilion.

METHODS

Upper vermilion specimens from 15 female Caucasian cadavers (age range, 27-78 years) were investigated histologically or immunohistochemically.

RESULTS

Histologically, age-dependent decreases in areas occupied by hyaluronan and collagenous fibres in the dermis of upper vermilion were demonstrated. Elastic fibre content varied widely between individuals. The area occupied by muscle fibres in the orbicularis oris muscle region within the vermilion also correlated negatively with age. Immunohistochemically, signals of four proteins were attenuated in vermilion from older individuals compared with young individuals: procollagen type I, hyaluronan synthase (HAS)1, myosin heavy chain (MYH)2 (a component of fast-twitch oxidative muscle fibres) and MYH7 (a component of slow-twitch muscle fibres). In contrast, signals of cell migration inducing hyaluronidase 1 (CEMIP) were intensified in vermilion from older individuals. No marked differences between young and older individuals were seen in procollagen type III, HAS2, HAS3, hyaluronidase (HYAL)1, HYAL2, MYH1 or MYH4.

CONCLUSION

Age-dependent decreases of hyaluronan in the dermis of vermilion were prominent, possibly due to both the decrease in synthesis (HAS1) and the increase in degradation (CEMIP). Furthermore, age-dependent decreases in collagenous fibres and two types of muscle fibre in the vermilion were also identified histologically. Type I collagen, MYH2 and MYH7 appear to represent the molecules responsible for these respective decrements.

Premaxillary Injection for Perioral Rejuvenation and Lip Enhancement

BACKGROUND

This is the first study to evaluate the effect of premaxillary filler injection on nasal tip projection, upper lip projection, and upper lip vermilion height.

OBJECTIVES

The primary objective of this study was to analyze the change in nasal tip projection (measured by the Goode ratio) and the change in upper lip projection (measured by the Z angle) following premaxillary hyaluronic acid injection. A secondary objective was to measure the change in upper lip vermilion height. We hypothesized that treated subjects will show an increase in nasal tip projection, upper lip projection, and upper lip vermilion height.

METHODS

Twenty volunteer patients with signs of perioral aging or poor upper lip projection were enrolled in this prospective cohort study and underwent premaxillary hyaluronic acid filler injection between November 2017 and June 2018. Nasal tip projection, upper lip projection, and upper lip vermilion height were assessed from baseline and posttreatment photographs based on the Goode ratio, Z angle, and lip vermilion height ratio, respectively.

RESULTS

No significant change was noted between pre- and posttreatment Goode ratio measurements (P = 0.841). There was a significant decrease in Z angle and therefore significant increase in upper lip projection with treatment (P < 0.001). The lip vermilion height ratio demonstrated a trend of increased upper lip vermilion height but this did not achieve statistical significance (P = 0.561).

CONCLUSIONS

Premaxillary filler treatment resulted in a significant increase in upper lip projection. Premaxillary filler injection when performed in a safe manner is a valuable treatment option for perioral rejuvenation.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4

Classification of Mouth Corners in Asian Women

BACKGROUND

There is increasing interest in mouth corner lift (MCL), as well as lip augmentation. Procedures for lip corner lifting to create smiling lips include botulinum toxin, injectable filler, and surgery. However, there is no proper system to classify mouth corners, thereby causing difficulties in patient counseling, treatment planning, and communicating with medical staff. We developed a new classification system to analyze the shape of mouth corners in Asian women.

METHODS

Lip shapes were classified as types I (arched upper lip) and II (flat upper lip), each of which was further classified as subtypes a (upturned mouth corner) and b (flat or downturned mouth corner). Atypical cases were classified as type III. The anterior-posterior view of facial photographs were taken of female patients aged 20-40 years who visited HB Plastic Surgery Clinic between January 2017 and December 2018. Patients who visited for surgery other than lip plastic surgery (group A) and those who visited for MCL (group B) were compared. Changes in mouth corner type across age were examined.

RESULTS

The most common type was IIb in group A and Ib in group B. IIa and IIb were more common in group A, whereas Ib was more common in group B, at a statistically significant level. With increasing age, the proportions of IIb and III tended to increase, and Ia and IIa tended to decrease.

CONCLUSION

This relatively simple classification system for mouth corners might be helpful in patient counseling and communication with medical staff during plastic surgery.

Proposed Guide to Lip Treatment in Caucasian Women Using Objective and Measurable Parameters

BACKGROUND

The lips are a focal point of the face; however, their aesthetic proportions and effect on perceived facial beauty remain poorly defined. Perioral aging is highly individual, with several distinct and often simultaneous processes contributing to changes in lip contour and surface. These processes can affect lip volume and length, shape, and the degree of vermilion inversion.

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to develop a treatment guide for Caucasian women that combined a complete analysis of the lips (including the effects of aging) with consideration of the rheological characteristics of the products used to assist practitioners in tailoring rejuvenation treatment to individual patients.

METHODS

We reviewed existing literature to analyze the parameters that make the lips of Caucasian women "attractive" and investigated the rheological characteristics of different hyaluronic fillers to provide guidance on the optimal treatment for each woman.

RESULTS

Our numerical definition of the lips is based on 4 specific parameters: philtrum height, upper vermillion height, ratio between philtrum and upper vermillion height, and golden ratio between upper and lower vermillion height. In our opinion, conserving the length of hyaluronic acid chains results in dynamic fillers that may provide better results with lower risk of asymmetry compared with conventional products.

CONCLUSIONS

This new classification and associated treatment guideline aims to allow accurate assessment and enable practitioners to customize treatment for individual patients.

Aging of the Upper Lip: Part I: A Retrospective Analysis of Metric Changes in Soft Tissue on Magnetic Resonance Imaging

BACKGROUND

In scientific literature, numerous theories on the mechanism of facial aging can be found. The debate about facial sagging versus deflation is still ongoing. In this study, the metric changes in perioral soft tissue were demonstrated. These data can contribute to a better understanding of physical changes in the aging perioral area.

METHODS

Upper lip measurements were performed on cranial magnetic resonance images of 200 Caucasian subjects (100 men and 100 women). The study population was aged between 20 to 30 and 65 to 80 years. The upper lip length and soft-tissue thickness were measured on sagittal and parasagittal section. Cross-section surface area of the upper lip was measured in the sagittal section to represent volume. The data were analyzed with a t test and results were considered significant at p < 0.01.

RESULTS

The upper lip in the old age group differed significantly in length (19.24 percent in women and 18.24 percent in men), thickness (up to -40.55 percent in women and -32.74 percent in men), and volume (-20.89 percent in women and -17.40 percent in men). Soft-tissue thickness at the alar nasolabial fold was significantly thinner in the old age group (-25 percent in women and -25.7 percent in men) and showed significantly greater tissue loss than elsewhere in the upper lip (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that the aging perioral area is affected with a combination of soft-tissue lengthening, thinning, and volume loss. The clinical implications of this study on perioral rejuvenating strategies will be explained in part II.

Association of Increasing Nasal Tip Projection With Lip Position in Primary Rhinoplasty

Importance

The effects of rhinoplasty maneuvers on adjacent facial features are an important component in preoperative planning and patient counseling. Tip projection modifications are commonly performed in both cosmetic and reconstructive rhinoplasty.

Objective

To evaluate the subsequent change in lip projection that results from increasing nasal tip projection.

Design, Setting, and Participants

In this case series, 20 patients underwent primary rhinoplasty with the objective of increasing tip projection during the period from October 1, 2014, to September 25, 2015. Preoperative and postoperative photographs were evaluated.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The increased tip projection was verified using the Goode ratio. Upper lip projection was calculated by the Z angle, which is based on the intersection between the Frankfort horizontal plane and the profile line. Vermilion height was also assessed.

Results

Of the 20 patients in the study (19 females and 1 male; mean [SD] age, 26.8 [10.2] years; range, 16-52 years) 18 (90%) demonstrated an increase in upper lip projection when the tip projection was increased by either a columellar strut or tongue-in-groove maneuver. The Z angle demonstrated a statistically significant decrease of 2.7° (95% CI, 1.5°-3.9°; P < .001). Although the vermilion height did not change a significant amount, there was a trend toward an increase in mean height of 0.051 (95% CI, -0.00515 to -0.10685; P = .09).

Conclusions and Relevance

Increasing nasal tip projection causes a measurable increase in upper lip projection. This new causal association has been applied to our filler injection armamentarium as an alternative way to achieve the desired result of a more youthful upper lip.

Level of Evidence

4.