The vertical lines and creases in the lips cannot be fully corrected using fillers. However, dermabrasion can achieve extensive and long-lasting smoothness. During this procedure the lines are precisely eroded, producing an obvious rejuvenating effect.

Dermabrasion is carried out under local anesthetic or twilight sedation. Using diamond wheels of different sizes and shapes, the surgeon removes the superficial layer of skin until the surface appears free of wrinkles and smooth. An artificial graze is formed which is covered with an ointment.

As the wound heals, a new surface of skin develops which is considerably smoother and more even. The scab which forms is shed after about one week.

After the scab is shed, some redness will persist and may be easily camouflaged with make-up. In most cases, the redness is so slight that make-up is not required. In very rare cases, the redness may persist for longer than four to six weeks. As in all skin rejuvenation procedures, dermabrasion may cause some loss in pigmentation and the skin may appear lighter. In order to avoid any obvious differences in coloring, it is important that complete anatomical units are treated together e.g. the upper and lower lip and chin together.

However, the lightening is not as pronounced as in comparable procedures, such as chemical peeling or laser treatment. In order to reduce the extent of damage to pigmentation, it is important that the skin is as little tanned as possible before the procedure and that unprotected exposure to the sun is avoided for about three months afterwards.

In the case of very deep wrinkles, further dermabrasion may be required 6 months later in order to achieve the optimum results.

 

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