A trip to a cosmetologist for lip augmentation naturally begins with the question: what size is trending? But it is important to take into account not only fashion trends. The initial data largely determines the final result of the procedure. How do you know if your lips are naturally harmonious? How to understand how much they can be increased so as not to get the anecdotal “duck” effect? How to compare the size of the mouth with the rest of the facial features? And most importantly, how to find out whether you need contouring at all?
In this article we will touch on the controversial issue of the most ideal lip shape.
The philtrum from a physiological point of view
The philtrum is an expressive feature on the face of every person. Not everyone knows why it is needed, but everyone’s philtrum has its own unique shape. What do you need to know about a narrow hollow above the upper lip?
What is the philtrum?
The philtrum is a small vertical depression located between the upper lip and the base of the nasal septum. This characteristic feature of the appearance of not only humans, but also mammals is considered the result of the fusion of three zones of the head and face. This is a kind of “scar” at the point of their connection.
Other names for philtrum:
- A dimple above the upper lip.
- Filtrum.
The facial expression of a person largely depends on it. People differ from each other not only in the color of their eyes, hair and facial features, but also in the depth and shape of the philtrum.
philtrum in a child: Pixabay
The process of formation of the philtrum occurs 2–3 months after conception, that is, at 8–12 weeks of fetal development. If this process occurs with any disturbances, the baby may develop a defect of the philtrum in the womb - a cleft palate, which is also called a cleft lip and cleft palate. Experts Bilal G Taib, Adnan G Taib, Andrew C Swift, Simon van Eeden described this defect as the most common congenital facial anomaly in children, which can affect appearance, speech, hearing, growth, psychosocial well-being and social integration.
The cause of philtrum defects may be:
- Tumor or infectious process.
- Intrauterine trauma.
A flat philtrum or its absence is the result of certain diseases, such as:
- Prader-Willi syndrome, which is classified as a genetic disorder.
- Fetal alcohol syndrome as a result of a woman's use of alcohol or drug stimulants during pregnancy.
In other cases, the filtrum is formed correctly, but each person has its own shape and depth.
What is the philtrum for?
It is part of the process of facial formation in the fetus. The filtrum replaces the empty space between the nose and upper lip and fuses them together. In the process of evolution, many appearance features and body organs have lost their role, but not the philtrum.
There are other versions, not supported by scientific research, but popular among the people:
- Translated from Latin, “philtrum” means “love potion.” Ancestors perceived the philtrum as an important erogenous zone and a very attractive part of appearance.
- The ancient Greeks applied incense to the philtrum.
Interestingly, the philtrum in dogs and cats also performs a specific function: it develops the animal’s sense of smell. Moisture flows through the groove from the mouth to the tip of the animal's nose, keeping it moist and sensitive to odors.
philtrum in dogs: Pixabay
How to remove the philtrum?
An unsightly philtrum can be removed using aesthetic surgery and cosmetology. An ugly or improperly formed filtrum can cause problems and complexes. A cosmetologist easily solves this problem by creating for the patient a philtrum of the shape, depth and length that suits his face proportions and type.
First you need to determine the cause of the defect. This can be either a congenital defect or a consequence of the following factors:
- Age-related changes in the face, sagging skin.
- Injury.
- Orthodontic treatment, tooth extraction.
Depending on the cause, treatment is prescribed. This may involve an operation involving an incision and stitching of the area under the nose or above the lip. If the defect is minor, do not use a scalpel, but subcutaneous injections with fillers based on hyaluronic acid. Another method of correction is remodeling using combined laser resurfacing, as recommended by doctors M. A. Trelles, L. Garcia-Solana and J. Rigau.
How is the procedure done?
- You come to LIPSCLINIC in the center of Moscow for a consultation. An experienced cosmetologist examines your face, determines the condition of your skin and the features of wrinkles.
- Then, based on your individual characteristics, the doctor selects a filler (a drug natural to the body to fill wrinkles) that is most suitable for you personally.
- You sit down in a chair and relax. The cosmetologist cleanses your face and administers local anesthesia - applying a cooling anesthetic cream to the skin.
- After 15 minutes, the selected filler is carefully injected into the area above the upper lip with a miniature needle. You hardly feel any sting or pain.
- Ready! The result is noticeable immediately. No long recovery periods or swelling!
Fortune telling by philtrum
Like other facial features, the philtrum is an object of study in physiognomy and magic. The shape of the mouth also depends on its shape, so predictors often use information about the philtrum in their predictions.
What myths are associated with the philtrum?
There is a legend that says that the philtrum is the mark of an angel's finger. When he brings a child down from heaven to earth before birth, he puts his finger to the baby's mouth. This is done so that he forgets everything he saw before birth - heaven, angels, his past lives and another world. This allows a person to live his life in blissful ignorance of his past mistakes. Screenwriter Jaco Van Doormael reflected this legend in the film “Mr. Nobody” (2009).
There are also references to the philtrum in Judaism. In the treatise Nida of the Babylonian Talmud it is said that angels teach the baby Torah while still in the womb. To erase the memories, the angel lightly hits the baby on the lips. The Jew recreates this unique part of the Torah, learned in the womb, in his memory throughout his life.
Causes of purse string wrinkles
Purse-string wrinkles are sometimes called smokers' wrinkles, but this is only partly true, because... They appear not only in those who smoke.
- Mimic activity
It is worth saying that hardly anyone would agree to turn off facial expressions in the mouth area, especially among women. But it's not just about speech. Drinking drinks through a straw, smoking (a separate point on this), and the habit of stretching your lips with a straw contribute to the formation of purse-string wrinkles and are bad habits. It is advisable to get rid of them!
- Smoking
Promotes the formation of wrinkles around the lips by:
- Constant facial stress – folding the lips into a tube
- Destruction of vitamin C by nicotine and slowdown of collagen synthesis in the skin in general
- Toxic effects of cigarette smoke and disruption of oxygen supply to cells
- Impact of climate and external factors
Dry cold air, leading to dehydration of the delicate skin of the lips. Or, on the contrary, exposure to high temperatures and ultraviolet radiation. The skin of the lips needs constant protection and care equally and even more than the skin of the entire face and neck.
- Genetics
Thin lips in combination with a strong and active orbicularis oris muscle provoke the earlier appearance of purse-string wrinkles, even without other provoking factors.
- Weight loss
The skin around the lips is thinner and more delicate than on the entire face, and with sudden weight loss, wrinkles around the lips appear.
6. Native language
Features of pronunciation and articulation also affect the formation of wrinkles. French women more often suffer from problems with purse-string wrinkles than Russian-speaking women. But nasolabial folds and a double chin, on the contrary, are not typical for the French and are more common among Russian speakers.
7. Teeth
When front or side teeth are removed, jaw deformation and bite changes occur. As a result, new wrinkles appear or existing ones worsen.
What do you put under your lip and tongue instead of cigarettes?
What do young people “throw under their lips” in the 21st century? Today you can often see or hear about some people putting something under their lip. What kind of substances are these? How dangerous are they, what are they, are they drugs? Is there a difference between snus and nasvay? Or are these substances identical in composition? Addicts have been putting drugs under their lips for decades. However, the composition of these substances, as well as their names and effects, change from year to year. What is considered fashionable today - nasvay or snus? Do these substances have identical effects? Is chewing a drug harmful?
Chewable drug Snus
Snus is a tobacco product in the form of pouches containing moist tobacco and nicotine, which are placed under the upper or lower lip. On the “puck” of snus they write that its action time is 5-30 minutes, but most often addicted people keep it longer - 1-1.5 hours. At the same time, it is not observed that 1 sachet is intended for one use. People can drop in the same package several times a day. The effect of the substance is that nicotine from tobacco enters the body through the capillaries of the mucous membrane.
Tobacco that is “put behind the lip”
Snus is a smokeless tobacco, which includes chewing tobacco and snuff. In fact, snuff and snus are the same thing, but snus is a type of snuff, which is characterized by a high content of nicotine and carcinogens. Chewing tobacco snus comes from Sweden. Surprisingly, such a popular substance today in Russia was known in this country back in 1637. That is why chewing tobacco snus is called Swedish. A well-known variety is Odin snus, which is common in Europe, although it has been banned since 1992. American snus is very different from Swedish.
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In our country, such tobacco appeared relatively recently - in 2004. The government has repeatedly attempted to ban this substance, but this was only done in 2015, when cases of death were already known. However, Corvus packaging can still be seen on store shelves. They are brought under the guise of chewing tobacco, which is not covered by the ban.
Is it possible to throw snuff under the lip?
There are several types of snus: portioned (in bags), loose, which a person dispenses independently, flavored and tobacco-free, which is very common today. Nowadays there is still debate about what is more harmful - snus or snuff, since the composition of these substances can vary greatly; various components, including carcinogens and alkali, can be hidden under the guise of flavorings. Specialists at the drug treatment clinic of the Center for Medical Sciences do not recommend using smoking mixtures or “throwing” snuff under the lip, since nicotine is not only addictive, but also has a negative effect on all internal organs and the cardiovascular system. What do people put on their lips in our country besides these tobacco products? What is the name of the modern drug that is “thrown” under the lip?
NASVAY
Chewing tobacco nasvay (snils, nasvayt, nice, nasik, natsvay, nasybay, us, nat, nose, ice, shpak) - what is it? Is this substance a drug? Is there chicken droppings in the nasvay? Many people think that nasvay is made from chicken or camel droppings (dung). Is it really? So, nasvayt - what is it, chicken droppings (colloquial poop) or something more dangerous?
Nasvay is a non-smoking tobacco that is placed between the lip and gum. HE came to us from Asia. The main composition of nasvay today is not chicken manure, but tobacco and alkali. However, when manufactured in artisanal conditions, the composition can contain anything: slaked lime or ash instead of alkali, vegetable oil, spices, etc. Why is lye needed? As in the case of snus, alkali in nasvay is necessary to change the acid balance in the oral cavity for faster absorption of nicotine from a tobacco product. Powder, sticks and balls of dark green color and plastic consistency - this is what nasvay most often looks like. Its regular use causes nicotine and psychological dependence, in this it is similar to snus. How much nicotine is in nasvay depends on the variety and composition. Snus, unlike nasvay, contains the exact amount of nicotine prescribed on the package.
Shpak - what is it, its composition, why is it dangerous for the body?
What is shpak, what is its difference from nasvay? Shpak is a substance that is made from dung and alkali; it is an analogue of nasvay. It has an unpleasant, pungent odor and an immediate, albeit short, effect. Therefore, addicts constantly “throw the shpak over their lip.” It is very cheap, as it is made, as they say, from scrap materials.
If used regularly, the substance can easily burn the gums and lead to the formation of ulcers in the mouth. Ash, droppings and other components are mixed and ground to a powder, then mixed with water, glue or oil. The drug is sold in large containers, the cost of which does not exceed 500 rubles, which makes it quite affordable for any consumer, including minors.
Drugs similar to nasvay are also placed between the lip and gum or under the tongue, and then spat out; saliva cannot be swallowed, as alkali and other components entering the gastrointestinal tract burn the mucous membrane, causing disorders and dizziness. A person addicted to shpak can consume about 20 doses per day, which ultimately leads to ulcers on the lips and gums, coughing, deterioration in the condition of teeth, memory, thinking, and reaction speed.
What is “nasik” among young people?
What is a nasik under the lip? Nasik or Nice are drugs similar in composition to Natsvay. However, “nasik” is also a herb (hemp), which is mixed with the main components of nasvay. What is “nuts” under the lip? This is another slang name for a nicotine-containing substance based on tobacco. Among the common ones is the nasvay substitute “snils”, which is also a slang name for the word snus. Chewable nasvite is practically no different in composition from the above substances. In fact, all of them are drugs, as they cause persistent psychological dependence and greatly harm the body.
How to remove purse-string wrinkles from a cosmetologist
The range of professional services is small; moreover, the area is delicate and not every specialist is ready to work with purse-string wrinkles. An experienced specialist practicing these techniques is required.
- Botulinum toxin injections
Traditionally, botulinum toxin is used in the upper third of the face, but there are techniques for using it to eliminate purse-string wrinkles.
Injections reduce the activity of the orbicularis oris muscle and smooth the skin. It is difficult to completely remove wrinkles, because... there is a lack of collagen and to completely eliminate wrinkles it is necessary to restore the structure of the dermis.
- Chemical peeling
Difficulty in selecting a composition taking into account the increased sensitivity of the perioral zone. It is recommended to first conduct a test in this area on a small area of skin.
- Hyaluronic acid injections
It should be noted that mesotherapy and biorevitalization in this area are ineffective and are not used.
The injection of fillers is a popular professional procedure that is performed for two indications at once: eliminating wrinkles and adding volume to the lips. There is a risk of getting unnatural volumes that not everyone finds attractive.
Finally, we want to share some bonus information about lip beauty!
What is more harmful - nasvay or snus?
Today in our country both of these substances are prohibited for distribution, but their use is not so strictly controlled by law. Both are non-smoking tobaccos, but it is wrong to believe that they are snus and nasvay.
What are the differences and differences between nasvay and snus?
These tobacco products have completely different effects on the body. With regular use of nasvay, addicts develop cancer in 80-85% of cases, since the substance contains a huge amount of nicotine and nitrosamine. These are carcinogenic substances that are difficult to find in store-bought snus. What's worse - nasvay or snus? In fact, nasvay is many times more harmful than snus, but this does not mean that the substance is harmless and does not pose a risk to human health. Although there is no direct evidence that snus causes cancer, there is evidence that it causes pancreatic dysfunction. Regardless of the use of a particular substance, a person develops diseases of the teeth and gums.
It is a mistake to believe that quitting the use of these substances is very easy. Despite the fact that these substances are not classified as narcotics, they cause severe psychological dependence. At the same time, tobacco use can lead to the use of narcotic smoking mixtures such as spice, which have a synthetic base and have a huge negative impact on all human life support systems.
Our network of rehabilitation centers TsZM provides treatment for addiction to nasvay and spice. The Center for Healthy Youth provides treatment for drug addiction to any substance throughout the country. If you notice that a loved one regularly begins to suck strange bags, you should pay attention to this, even if he says that it is not a drug. Dependence on chemical substances always has a detrimental effect on human health and quality of life. Therefore, it is worth calling our drug treatment clinic as early as possible.
What is this?
Subnasal, labial grooves are vertical depressions on the skin between the nasal septum and the upper half of the lip. Philtrum (Latin name) is found not only in our country, but also in many mammals.
As for humans and most primates (except phlegm), the labial philtrums will be vestigial - residual organs that no longer play an important role for life, but were of great importance in previous development.
What is bullhorn plastic combined with?
Let's continue the conversation about harmonious proportions. If there are direct indications, lifting the upper lip will be an important step towards natural beauty. For many women, the first step will be the only one, however, if there are other aesthetic problems, you can explore the possibilities of comprehensive correction.
VY-plasty of the red border will help to change the contour of the lips and their shape. In order to raise the drooping corners of the mouth, there is a corner lift and resection of the DAO (muscle that depresses the corners of the mouth). Lipofilling—transplantation of your own adipose tissue—helps increase lip volume. Also, do not forget about botulinum therapy and contour plastic surgery. Botox injections are an easy way to lift the corners of the mouth, and lip contouring is the most affordable and safe method of increasing the volume and correcting the shape of the lips.
If you still have questions about the bullhorn operation and other areas of cheiloplasty, sign up for a free consultation with a plastic surgeon at the Soho Clinic. We restore youth and create beauty, preserving your individuality!
Ideal proportions
Cosmetologists today have identified the ideal proportions of Philtrum:
- Length for women: 20 +/- 2 mm.
- Length for men: 22 +/- 2 mm.
- A groove of more than 25 mm is already considered long and disproportionate.
- The “golden” angle between the philtrum and the nose in women: 95-100 degrees.
- The “golden” angle between the philtrum and the nose in men: 90-95 degrees.
The role of the philtrum for humans and mammals
Why is it important? In a person at 2-3 months of intrauterine development, it is in the area of the philtrum that the parts of the face converge.
For wet-nosed mammals, its significance continues during life. This groove acts as a filtrum - a narrow gap through which moisture from the mouth enters the surface of the nose due to capillarity. A moist nasal surface is very important for the animal - it helps to better determine the nature of odors and the location of their source.
