The mini mouth makeover
MOUTH MAKEOVER
A new-wave of game-changing lip and teeth treatments can put the smile back on your face, without anyone knowing you’ve had work. Liz Hambleton reports
STUDY YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA feeds and you’ll see a subtle but important shift in the famous smiles beaming back at you. Disappearing are the over-plumped cheeks and trout pouts; instead, everything is starting to look a little more natural. Even the hyperreal Kardashians seem to have given themselves something of a cosmetic make-under.
Mouths have long been the tell-tale sign of someone who’s had a little work done but, as a low-key breed of clientele has begun to experiment with smile-enhancement, new techniques have been developed to meet their needs.
‘Subtlety is now key,’ explains Us-based Dr Kathleen Cook Suozzi, who is busy meeting this demand with procedures designed to enhance rather than alter a person’s smile. ‘A holistic approach to improvements is the way we now work,’ agrees Dr Saul Konviser from the Dawood & Tanner General Dental Practice. ‘The health of the gums and size of the teeth is just as, if not more, important than colour and straightness.’
Here’s how to get your perfect grin...
THE NEW LIP LIFTERS
Owning a pair of pumped-up pillows is not the aim when it comes to modern lip enhancement. ‘The industry has shifted away from widening the lips and is focusing on natural proportions and a younger-looking lip surface,’ says Dr Michael Prager. To complement the latest cosmetic techniques, you can also boost the look of your lips with targeted skin-lifting products and treatments.
RADIO FREQUENCY REJUVENATION
What is it? ‘A brilliant way to tighten, lift and plump the cheeks and skin surrounding the mouth, without injectables,’ says facialist Chelseé Lewis. ‘It’s really good for eradicating deep smile lines and plumping the area above the lips.’ A hand-held wand emitting radio frequency waves is passed over the face, neck and jawline, heating the deepest layers of the skin and stimulating collagen production in the
process. ‘The results are instant, with a course of six recommended, but results should keep improving for two weeks after each session.’
Pain or downtime? Neither. The skin can feel hot during the treatment, but your temperature will be closely monitored and the cooling effect of the cryo (cold air) at the end will be welcome. While you may be flushed, your skin will be so fresh and firm that you probably won’t care…
The cost? From £385, chelseelewis.co.uk.
THE 50/50 FILLER
What is it? ‘Big, pouty bottom lips are out,’ explains Dr Prager. ‘It’s a look that has driven trends over the past few years, but now we are working towards a more balanced look that I call 50/50 lips.’ The aim here, rather than pumping them up to Jenner proportions, is to softly plump without losing the natural definition of the lips and lip line. The actual ‘filler’ harnesses the plumping powers of hyaluronic acid, due to its ability to last and sit more smoothly in the skin.
Pain or downtime? ‘Injections are performed with anaesthetic for comfort,’ says Dr Prager. ‘A fine line of injections is placed either along the lip contour or into the actual lip muscle, depending on the natural mouth shape.’ Bruising and swelling may be evident for a few days after.
The cost? £595, drmichaelprager.com, or visit transforminglives.co.uk for a clinic near you.
THE LONG-LIFE BALM
What is it? Volbella by Juvéderm is a subtle way to freshen and enhance lip condition without adding size. ‘It’s a great way to anti-age and smooth the mouth, and for the right patient it can remove the need to augment,’ explains Dr Cook Suozzi. ‘An ultra-smooth gel (hyaluronic acid is the key ingredient) is injected with a fine needle, plumping the fine lines that can make the lips look dry.’
Pain or downtime? More comfortable than traditional fillers, but expect some swelling and redness.
The cost? From £300. Visit juvederm.co.uk for your nearest clinic.
THE SEMI-PERMANENT STAIN
What is it? Semi-permanent make-up has come a long way from the days of dodgy lip-liner tattoos. A new breed of make-up artist is using this semi-permanent procedure to subtly boost lips. Suman Jalaf, known for her micro-blading technique on brows, now offers what she calls a ‘lip blush’. Lasting up to a year, this treatment uses carefully chosen pigments to lend pale, washed-out or receding lips a new lease of life. ‘I create soft definition around the lip line and a flush of colour in the lips,’ she explains.
Pain or downtime? It’s not pleasant but not painful, as such. Small needles position and smudge the pigment.
The cost? Good results aren’t cheap, so expect to pay from £300 for a great finish. Lip Blush with Suman costs £450, sumanbrows.com. Before you consider veneers or crowns, there’s a new wave of non-invasive procedures that can improve your smile. ‘These lighter treatments allow us to keep the nuances of your own smile intact,’ says Dr Konviser.
THE GUM CONTOUR
What is it? ‘Many patients complain of a gummy smile and too-small teeth,’ says Dr Konviser. ‘Gingival contouring works by reducing the amount of visible gum, lengthening the look of the teeth and making the smile appear younger.’
Pain or downtime? Usually carried out with a laser, there are no stitches or wounds that need to heal. Expect to feel tender and inflamed for up to a week, but you’ll see results straight away.
The cost? From £300. Visit dawoodandtanner. co.uk/montagu-mansion.
THE TOOTH-BRIGHTENING TRICK
What is it? Those who have a root canal or have knocked their teeth in the past often find that the tooth has started to die, creating a grey, dull look. Now, internal bleaching can whiten the tooth from the inside out to great effect.
Pain or downtime? Minimal; a bleaching agent is inserted into the cavity of the tooth.
The cost? From £250. Visit www.bda-finda dentist.org.uk for a dentist local to you.
THE WHITE-SPOT BLITZER
What is it? ‘White patches can appear on the teeth after a patient’s used braces in their youth. With resin infiltration we use a white composite filling to eliminate them,’ says Dr Konviser. Pain or downtime? Neither. There’s no anaesthetic or drilling required. The cost? About £499. Visit your dentist to find out more.
THE INVISIBLE BRACES
What is it? Most orthodontists agree Invisalign is still one of the best options for natural, discreet teeth straightening. Removable, plastic aligners are worn for 22 hours a day, and every two weeks you’ll receive a new set as your teeth adjust. For those with a bigger budget, lingual braces are fixed to the back of your teeth, so invisible.
Pain or downtime? The mouth can take a while to adapt to wearing the braces, and pressure on the teeth can be uncomfortable, but after a few weeks you’ll forget they’re there.
The cost? Visit ellevendental.com for details of costs and suitability.