Thin Lips: What Changes Over Time and How to Address It
Lips that have lost definition or volume over time — or never had much to begin with. Restored with proportion in mind.
get startedLips that have lost definition or volume over time — or never had much to begin with. Restored with proportion in mind.
get startedThin lips refer to lips that lack volume, definition, or both — whether by natural anatomy or as a result of aging. Unlike most other facial concerns, lip volume change is often noticed relatively early, because the lips are a central, expressive feature the patient sees in photos and the mirror constantly.
Lip thinning is distinct from perioral lines (the vertical lines around the mouth), though the two often present together in aging patients. Addressing them requires different treatments and is often done in combination.
Patients who come in for lips often describe the same thing: they look in the mirror or a photo and their lips have just disappeared. Not dramatically — gradually. For others, it's that their lips were always thin and they've finally decided to do something about it. Either way, the goal is almost always the same: natural definition, not a statement.
Thin lips result from a combination of genetics, aging, and environmental factors.
Genetics: Lip volume and shape are largely inherited. Some patients simply have naturally thin lips that have always been that way.
Aging: The lips thin with age through multiple mechanisms. The orbicularis oris muscle atrophies, reducing the muscular foundation of lip volume. Collagen loss thins the lip tissue itself. The philtrum elongates and flattens as the supporting structure above the lip changes. Bone resorption in the maxilla further reduces the projection that supports the upper lip.
Sun exposure and smoking: Both accelerate the fine vertical lines around the mouth and contribute to the loss of lip border definition over time.
Patients concerned about thin lips typically notice one or more of the following:
In the 20s, lip volume is typically near its peak. For patients with naturally thin lips, this is usually when they first seek enhancement.
Through the 30s, the upper lip begins to thin noticeably as the orbicularis muscle thins and the philtrum subtly elongates. The cupid's bow flattens. Vertical lip lines begin to appear at the vermilion border.
By the 40s and 50s, lip volume loss is often significant. The upper lip can appear nearly absent at rest. Fine lines become deeper and more numerous. The lip border itself blurs, making the natural lip shape harder to define.
Lip changes are strongly linked to overall facial volume loss — addressing both together often produces a more natural result than treating the lips in isolation.
Lip enhancement has a range of approaches depending on the patient's anatomy and goals.
At CAMI, the guiding principle for lip work is proportion, not volume. We're looking at the relationship between the upper and lower lip, the width of the lip relative to the rest of the face, the position of the cupid's bow, and how the lip sits at rest versus in motion.
The goal isn't to give a patient the most lip possible. It's to give them lips that fit their face and look like theirs. Overdone lips are always visible in a way that makes people look less like themselves. Natural, proportionate enhancement is almost invisible — which is exactly how it should be.
We use the softest formulations appropriate for the anatomy and place conservatively. Patients can always return for more. The result should make someone say 'you look great' — not ask what they had done.
Care guided by experience, precision, and a deep understanding of natural beauty.
get started
I'm blown away with my Dysport experience with Madison. She is very knowledgeable, professional and meticulous.
Meredith is the absolutely best!! She is so sweet and her work is perfection! Always an amazing experience at CAMI! Highly recommend.
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I have been coming to CAMI for 5 to 6 years now and their service is bar none! I’m always exceptionally pleased with my results, as I rotate Botox and Xenomin. The staff are very friendly and I always make me feel right at home!
I can’t say enough about the entire team at CAMI and overall experience as a new patient. My concerns were addressed and at no point did I feel rushed or pressured to make a decision. Katie and the entire staff put me at ease. My results are amazing and have made me feel so much more confident. Thank you CAMI! Highly recommend!
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Ashley at CAMI has been amazing. She made me feel comfortable before, during and after my treatments and helped me feel more confident in my appearance
I saw Madison for my Botox appointment and she was the best! She listened to my concerns and I’m very pleased with the results. She also recommended some great skincare products! Can’t recommend this office enough!
I had a wonderful experience with Madison Mikolajczyk,. From the very beginning, she explained everything about my face in detail and with such professionalism that I immediately felt comfortable. I truly appreciated her honesty in telling me exactly what I needed and what would work best for my features. She performed my filler injections using the cannula method and normal injections which left me with beautiful, natural-looking results—and no bruising at all. No one can do that using that method with no bruising. The entire process was completely painless, as she took her time and worked so gently.I couldn’t be happier with the outcome. My results are subtle, natural, and exactly what I hoped for. I’m truly in love with the way my face looks now and would highly recommend her to anyone seeking safe, professional, and natural enhancements. I did Sculptra, Botox and Radiesse filler looking forward for more.
I’ve had nothing but a great experience at CAMI! Ashley is amazing at what she does, as someone who has never gotten any kind of injections before, she was very knowledgeable explaining everything to you beforehand, and will make you feel as comfortable and confident as possible!
I have been very happy with my services over the past few months. Meredith is so sweet and always makes my time there very comfortable. She is patient with me and never pushes me into anything I’m not comfortable with regarding my skin.
I love visiting the CAMI location in Huntersville! They treat everyone special and I left feeling refreshed and uplifted. It was my first time meeting Katie, and she was spectacular! She spent time addressing my needs and concerns and I will definitely request an appointment with Katie again. Thank you CAMI!!
Very personable fun atmosphere and relaxing. Normally I go to California for my facials but I feel very good going to CAMI in Huntersville for my beauty needs.
Easy to schedule consult and treatments! Wonderful welcoming staff at CAMI who make you feel relaxed and excited to be there. Will continue to choose CAMI for all cosmetic needs and recommend to everyone!
This is a great place to come for any facial treatments, fillers, etc. The staff is excellent and I felt totally pampered.
The team is awesome. The staff takes great care of me. I would highly recommend CAMI.
The team was amazing. This was my 1st time getting Botox. They were very thorough and informative. They made the experience easy.
Their team is highly skilled and very good at what they do. I have never had any type of facial treatments before and decided it was time for a little pick-me-up. They took the time to listen to my concerns and recommended the procedure that was best suited for the outcome I was wanting.
Ashley is fantastic! Professional, friendly, and extremely knowledgeable. She’s my go-to for all my skincare maintenance needs. I always leave feeling confident and refreshed!
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I was honestly skeptical about trying CAMI since I hadn’t had the best experiences with Botox and other treatments elsewhere. But choosing CAMI turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve made. Madison, in particular, is the best nurse and injector I’ve ever worked with—she’s honest, genuinely cares about your results, and makes you feel like her top priority. While the treatments are an investment, as we age a little extra care and attention truly go a long way.
I Love CAMI, and all there staff! Katie Wilson is the absolute Beauty Making Queen!!! 👑 She is very particular when she was doing what I asked of and the results are perfection. I have recommended CAMI to multiple people and they are just as please. Thank you CAMI
I’m so glad I gave this med spa another chance. Everything feels completely different now in the best way. I had a hydrafacial and hydr with Meredith and noticed an immediate improvement in my skin. I went back and purchased a microneedling package, and the results have been good so far. Meredith truly made my experience there so much better. She made me feel comfortable, welcomed, and kept me laughing the entire time. She is also very honest, which I really appreciate. I’ve finally found my person, and I won’t let anyone else touch my face. Highly recommend!
