While we may live in the desert, winter weather can bring a new type of dry climate to Palm Springs. With that often comes unpleasant and sometimes painful dry lips. Rather than reaching for another tub of lip balm, hyaluronic fillers may be a better long-term solution to finally putting chapped lips to rest.
Why Winter Weather is Damaging Your Skin
During the rest of the year, humidity helps to add extra moisture to the skin. During the winter, dry cold air has a drying effect on skin cells. While one would think that staying inside could help mitigate some of the damaging effects of winter weather, blasting the heater to stay warm as well as taking hotter than usual showers can have the opposite effect. As a result, skin becomes dried out and requires additional moisturization.
Lips are particularly vulnerable to damage caused by changes in the weather. While other skin cells can counteract dry air quality by increasing oil production, the lips don’t have oil glands. As a result, the tissue dries out faster than other parts of the body.
In addition to changes in the weather, behavioral changes can also increase the risk of lips becoming dry or chapped. While rich comfort foods may be a go-to for cold winter nights, these meals are often salt-heavy, drying out skin further. Not drinking enough water can also increase the likelihood of lips becoming chapped.
What is Hyaluronic Acid?
While most people know of hyaluronic fillers as an anti-aging solution, few are aware that the product has also been successfully used in the treatment of chapped lips for the same reason.
Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring substance found throughout skin cells across the body. The substance plays an important role in keeping skin looking ageless by helping the cells retain moisture. While hyaluronic acid production doesn’t slow like collagen and elastin, environmental factors and the natural aging process can certainly outpace production. This causes the skin to lose its ability to hold onto much-needed volume and accelerates the appearance of aging.
Unlike other dermal fillers, hyaluronic-based injectables rely on the naturally-produced substance to add volume to the target area. When applied to fine lines and wrinkles throughout the face, this type of filler helps rejuvenate skin cells, giving them the ability to retain moisture as well as stimulating collagen production.
Repairing Your Smile with Hyaluronic Dermal Fillers
The same concept comes into play when HA fillers are used to repair dry winter lips. By strategically applying fillers to the mouth, patients can rejuvenate lip skin cells, helping them retain much-needed moisture during the driest months of the year.
There are several advantages that come with the use of hyaluronic dermal filers. For starters, the ease of treatment and longevity makes the option highly attractive to patients looking for a no-fuss, effective answer to chapped lips. Dermal fillers can usually be applied in just one visit to our Palm Springs office, making it easy to schedule an appointment during an extended lunch break. As most HA fillers last up to six months, most patients are able to come in at the start of the cold season and can enjoy their results without needing touch-ups during the busy holiday season.
Longevity and consistent results present another reason why many patients are choosing to use hyaluronic dermal fillers as their lip repair treatment. As the filler material is applied discreetly, the results look very natural, alleviating fears for many patients concerned about having too large lips. Best of all, the material gradually and safely dissolves into the skin, meaning that if patients choose to not go through with touch-ups after winter, they can easily slide back into their former appearance.
Repair Your Smile with Dr. Kato
At our Palm Springs cosmetic practice, our team is committed to providing patients with the highest quality care in a state-of-the-art practice. When helping our patients overcome their struggles with dry chapped lips, our in-depth consultation and personalized approach to care ensure that all individuals receive the long-term results they’re looking for. Call 760-610-5558 today to learn more and schedule your visit today!