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A Crack on the Corner of Your Mouth is a Sure Symptom of Chelitis

  • September 1, 2010 at 12:30 am



Typically, Angular Chelitis is an infection of both sides of the corner of the mouth. The cracks or splits look a little like paper cuts but get inflamed and red, with a whitish hue. This is a fungal infection, left unchecked it can often lead to a fully blown infection of the mouth. Candida or oral thrush is contagious and the tongue develops a whitish hue.

Millions of Americans suffer from this condition every year. Typically an attack persists 3 or 3 times a year, with some sufferers tolerating the condition on an almost semi permanent basis. Angular Chelitis is not life threatening and it is not contagious. It is however an insidious condition, that is painful and very unattractive.

The legions being right on the face, they are difficult to conceal even with make up because of the crustiness of the corners of the mouth. Angular Chelitis has been traced back to a vitamin deficiency particularly iron which can be found plentiful in lean red meat. However, sufferers report they can have an attack around the beginning of winter or during a cold snap. This points to the fact that the bacteria lay dormant even when the symptoms of the cracked corners of the mouth are not present. The immune system becoming weakened because the person failed to keep warm…the bacteria get a chance to flair up.

This condition is difficult to cure or control for that matter. Most people, with Angular Chelitis would do anything to be rid of the affliction.

Aging Upper Lip Lines

  • August 26, 2010 at 7:06 am



One of the features of facial aging that bothers women the most is the development of upper lip lines. Whether they be small fine lines that are at the junction of the skin and upper lip or much deeper lines that extend vertically way up into the skin…women hate them…as they indicate a more aged mouth look and in more severe cases allows lipstick to bleed up into the lines. Many patients think it is due to smoking and chronic sun exposure (and clearly these can make a big contribution) but the reality is…it is a function of full your lips are and how thick your skin is.

This is why this is much more of a problem in Caucasians of northern European and English descent than it ever is in African-Americans, southern Europeans, or those of Mediterranean origins. As all natural wrinkles form perpendicular to the direction and action of the underlying muscles, vertical lip lines develop from the action of the circumferential orbicularis muscle that purses your mouth around a straw, cigarette, or puckers for that kiss.

While the diagnosis of this problem is easy, it’s treatment is not. Since you can’t cure the cause of the lines (thicken your skin or stop moving your mouth), I tell patients to think about improvement (but not elimination of the upper lip lines) and the need for maintenance treatments as we are not curing the root of the problem. Treatment choices are based on three achievable objectives; diminish the muscle movement (Botox), plump up the lips or fill the lip lines (injectable fillers), or ‘sand’ down the wrinkles. (dermabrasion or laser resurfacing). Any combination of two or more of these will produce a better result in most patients. While Botox can certainly weaken the muscle movement and cause less puckering, it must be done carefully so as not to create an unnatural lip movement with smiling.

For this reason, this is usually the last procedure I will do or will do it only in combination with everything else in the most severe cases. Injectable fillers are a good option if the patient can accept or wants a larger lip. If not, then dermabrasion or medium-depth laser resurfacing is the only other option. The best results that I usually see is when the upper lip is slightly enhanced with a filler and the upper lip is then laser resurfaced at a depth of 50 – 100 microns.

This is probably the best combination if, again, the patient can accept a larger upper lip. It heals within a week and can be done in the office under local anesthesia. Patients will usually have to repeat the procedure once a year for maintenance of good results. However, it is fair to say that upper lip lines defy one single permanent solution.

Essential Oils – Lip Balm Recipes – Smacking Good For Healthy Lips

  • August 19, 2010 at 2:23 am



The easiest way to make a lip balm with your choice of essential oils, is simply to warm your favorite balm (with all those pure natural ingredients) and add a few drops of the therapeutic grade essential oil. For example, take about a Tablespoonful size of a beeswax type of lip balm, place the container in some warm water until it softens, and then add 2 drops of Melissa, 1 drop Tea Tree and 1 drop of Spearmint essential oils. Stir well with a toothpick. This formula is wonderful salve for healing cold sores. It tastes good, too.

Lip balms make great gifts. You can experiment around with different combinations. Check with your aromatherapist for specific essential oils specific to your special needs.

If you want to make your own, here is a wonderful recipe for cracked, dry or sore lips that I have used with success:

1 tablespoon of beeswax 2 tablespoons of castor oil 1 teaspoon of honey 1 Vitamin E capsule 2 drops of carrot seed essential oil 2 drops of sandalwood essential oil 2 drops of myrrh essential oil

Melt the beeswax in the top pan of a double boiler over low heat. Stir in the castor oil and honey until you have a thick liquid, then remove from heat. Cut the end off the vitamin E capsule, and add the gel from the capsule to the mixture. When cool, add the therapeutic grade essential oils. Blend well, and then put into small containers for storage. Be sure to make labels that contain the ingredients and directions for use. Directions are to smooth a small amount on lips as needed. Precaution: do not use myrrh during pregnancy. (Just leave it out if this is the case).

For lip balm, the proportions you need are 2:1 solids to liquids. The beeswax is a solid and all of the other ingredients are liquid. I like to use castor oil because if gives a nice gloss to the lips. Honey adds a bit of sweetener, and the vitamin E contains antioxidants and will extend the shelf life of your balm. The essential oils listed are all known for healing properties. In particular, myrrh is renown for mouth care.

So You Want To Get A Lip Ring?

  • August 14, 2010 at 2:26 am



Lip rings have become quite popular in the past few years. Many film stars, sports icons, rock stars and other denizens of the celebrity world wear them. With the spread of this new trend as well as the concept of self-expression, rebelliousness and independence attached to it, it is no wonder that a lot of people are planning on getting a lip ring.

The good thing about getting a lip ring is the fact that they heal faster than other piercings. Even though this is the case, there are still some risks that should be considered when you make a decision to get them. You should also note that getting it may curtail you from doing some of the activities that you are used to. Having a piercing is very similar to having a wound and exposing it to bacteria-carrying substances while it heals, can lead to infections. So, keep in mind that getting a lip ring is a very serious business.

Get Ready to Be Pierced

Because you will be stuck with it forever, getting a lip ring is something that you need to plan. Start by finding some friends who have already done this. Ask them where they had it done and get some recommendations from them. You should find a piercing artist that you can trust. And, the best way to do that is to view the finished products and hear the testimonials of his satisfied customers. You also need to make sure that safety measures are being followed during your piercing. Observe the artist at work and make sure that the sterilized needle that he will use on you will come from a sealed pack. Of course, you also need to make sure that the ring is being put on in the right place.

In choosing the area that you would like to be pierced, try to picture how it would feel to have a foreign object in that area. An advantage of getting a lip ring is the fact that it isn’t too intrusive. Although a part of it is located between the lip and the gums, the lip ring doesn’t rub against them. It doesn’t cause any damages to the gum line. Still up to it?

OUCH! Now What?

After going through the procedure, you need to take care of your new piercing. It usually takes two or three months for the lip to heal. And, during this time, you should avoid kissing or giving oral sex. You shouldn’t expose the wound to substances that contain bacteria. Smoking and drinking should also be avoided since these substances can irritate the wound. You should gargle some mouthwash in order to make sure that the piercing would heal faster. Just make sure that it doesn’t contain a lot of alcohol. You can also opt for a saline solution that can also kill bacteria. You should also rinse the pierced area with peroxide after eating. Also, getting some ice cream and pain killers during the first few days after getting pierced would be a great idea.

Lip Plumping 101: 5 Secrets to Bigger, Poutier Lips

  • August 13, 2010 at 12:06 am



Full lips never seem to go out of style. Even in the eighties, when full lips were not necessarily all the rage, we saw Hollywood beauties like Kim Basinger and Kelly LeBrock as the epitome of female beauty, and guess what, they both had those enviable “pillow lips” that women pay money to achieve in a doctor’s office today.

But what if you were not born with pouty, full lips, and you feel like you were given the short end of the stick when it comes to this particular beauty asset? Sure, you could go to a plastic surgeon and have your lips injected with any number of available fillers like collagen, hyaluronic acid, restylene, and even a newer filler that is derived from cadaver tissue (ick).

There is also a newer option of permanent lip augmentation, where a small implant is put into the lips. This procedure is even further from being perfected than lip injectables, and often comes out looking very unnatural. Women complain the implants also do not feel “real”, and there are also complaints that the implants feel “hard”, by the patients, and by their partners.

However, these types of lip filling procedures really haven’t been perfected yet, in my opinion, and many times what women come out with are what those in the beauty industry like to call “fish lips”. Basically, too much collagen or too much of many other fillers on the market today will make the upper lip curve up, and look unnatural, created a look that’s more like a clown, than femininine and delicate as is it’s intended purpose.

We can all probably think of a few Hollywood women today who have had these lip augmentation procedures done and come out looking less than enviable. Not only that, it’s usually obvious when a person has had lip injections or lip augmentation surgery, and it tends to take away from the natural symmetry and beauty of a woman’s face, rather than add to it, which is the obvious goal.

So, what are your natural options to make your lips naturally fuller, without touching them with needles or scalpels? Well, thanks to modern day lip plumping technology, as well a few good old fashioned (and free) techniques, you can achieve fuller lips for little cost, and end up with something that looks natural, and fits your face much better. I’ve listed these techniques and tips below.

1.) First of all, a great lip plumper is a must. I would not recommend those lip plumpers which contain harsh, drying ingredients like cinammon, as my experience with these has only been temporary fullness, with dryness that inevtiably follows. Hydration is key to keeping plump lips, so drying them out only defeats the purpose.

2.) Drink lots of water to keep the skin and lips well hydrated. This keeps you internally hydrated. Ever notice how when you’re dehydrated (thirsty), your lips tend to “shrivel”?

3.) When applying your lip plumper, open your mouth as wide as you possibly can. This allows the plumping agents to get deep in the crevices and cracks and helps to fill out the lip tissue even more.

I especially like to use this technique at night when I apply a generous layers of lip plumping conditioner, so that I wake up with plumper lips. If you want, you can even use your hands to “stretch” your lips out wider, so you can get deeper penetration.

4.) Lip pumps are available, but these are kind of an awkward device, although they do produce dramatic lip plumping for up to a few hours after use. Word to the wise on lip pumps : Do not get overzealous with them, as you will most assuredly end up with bruised lips or blood blisters.

Start out very slow with these if you choose to use one. The way they work is they draw fluid into the lips by actually forcing it into this localized area through a suction mechanism. Rumor has it, these nifty little devices are used on some photoshoots on models to create an instantly plumper pout.

Juvederm vs Restylane – My Lip Enhancement Experience

  • July 12, 2010 at 1:31 am



Dermal fillers have been getting a lot of attention lately in the world of cosmetic dermatology and anti aging. And all for a good reason. Dermal fillers such as Restylane and Juvederm can make a dramatic difference in the appearance of a person’s skin, all with minimal time, a fairly reasonable cost, and minimal invasiveness and pain.

There is little difference between the two big competitors, Juvederm and Restylane, as they are both comprised of a substance that is naturally found in the body called hyaluronic acid, which naturally diminishes as we age.

The result of collagen’s diminishment is that our skin starts to slacken, since collagen and hyaluronic acid, a component of collagen, is the plumping force under our skin that makes our skin look “filled out” and youthful.

Cosmetic dermatologists and other qualified dermal filler specialists have harnessed this “filling” power in the form of a very fine needle that injects the fillers underneath the skin so that it may fill out folds, lines and wrinkles and make them look plump again, reducing their appearance.

Not only that, but both fillers may be used to plump the lips to give them a naturally fuller look. This is the procedure I had performed, and I chose to go with Juvederm over Restylane for reasons I will explain later in this article.

Another big plus of dermal fillers is their relatively long life. Both Restylane and Juvederm typically last in the body for about 4-6 months, and at the time that they are diminished and fully absorbed (harmlessly) into the body, another treatment will be necessary.

This “second generation” of fillers comes in at a few months longer than the previously popular straight collagen injections, which only lasted about three months due to the high absorption rate and instability.

Typical treatments that are administered with both fillers, which are in a gel formula, are injections into the nasolobial folds that get deeper and more noticeable with age. These are the lines that extend on either side of your mouth from the outside corners of your nose to the tips of the top lip.

I didn’t think that this was a noticeable part of aging on a person’s face until I looked at before and after pictures of people who had gotten this area filled with Juvederm or Restylane, and boy, it really did make a difference in how young and rejuvenated they looked.

Other areas that are great candidates for dermal filling are deeper wrinkles around the eyes, and on the forehead. They do have to be a significant depth to be treated with dermal fillers though, so be aware that those finer lines are probably not suitable for Restylane or Juvederm fillers.

Another popular part of the face that is injected with dermal fillers is the lips, which is what I had done. I chose to go with Juvederm after I talked to the doctor that performed the treatment on me, only because he said personally he felt he could work with Juvederm better on the lips because he felt it was a bit finer than the Restylane and he could work more easily with it and observed slightly better results on the lip area.

Since he felt more comfortable using this product, I decided to go with Juvederm, which cost the same as the Restylane. The cost was $500 per syringe, which is about average for a dermal filler. I loved the fact that this particular facility, called EvoMedispa in the greater Akron, Ohio area, offered to store any leftover Juvederm for up to six months for me as well.

I did end up with a little bit leftover, so I figured I would have them use the rest of that syringe as well as a new syringe the next time I went and got my lips enhanced.

So far it’s been about 4 weeks since I received the lip enhancement treatment with Juvederm, and I’m loving the results. I only asked for a very subtle plumping of the lips since I wasn’t going for anything obvious or overblown, and that’s exactly what I got.

He followed the natural line of my lips, and made sure not to overfill the top lip, keeping the natural balance of the top lip smaller than the bottom lip, which is how people’s lips are shaped in nature. The top lip is almost always significantly smaller than the bottom.

He explained that by keeping this ratio, I’d look more natural, and he was right. The procedure itself is not bad, but I have to admit, I was glad when it was over.

If you have the procedure done, you should know that you want to keep the next few days cleared of significant plans, since the likelihood of bruising locally is fairly high.

My upper lip had a bruise about the size of a kernel of corn for a few days afterward, and it took several days for the bruise to fully subside. Also, immediately after the treatment, your lips are not able to move, since you are typically going to be injected with a local anesthetic.

My local anesthetic was Lidocaine, and my lips were pretty much frozen for much of the evening after the treatment, and I was stuck at home since I couldn’t speak correctly and, well, quite frankly, it just doesn’t look pretty the day you get it done.

The treatment is not for those that are extremely needle shy, since between the injected Lidocaine and the injections of the filler itself, you will be getting injected several times by the end of the treatment. Ahh, the things we do for beauty!