Anatomy and Aging of the Perioral Region

Abstract

Perioral region, although severely impacted by facial aging, is often overlooked in texts on facial rejuvenation. Sun exposure, bone resorption, dynamic contraction of the sphincteric and nonsphincteric oral musculature, gravitational pull, histological changes of the skin, and unhealthy habits all take their toll in this area. Fine wrinkling on the lips, deep nasolabial and mentolabial folds, elongation and flattening of the upper lip, downturned corners of the mouth, marionette lines, diminished vermillion and upper teeth show and chin irregularities are the main signs of this process, raising great concern amongst patients and making the perioral region the most demanded area for facial rejuvenation treatment. A huge armamentarium of surgical and nonsurgical techniques, with or without complex technology, are available to tailor patient's specific needs, from chemodenervation and mild chemical peels to operations designed to restore the size and shape of the lips. In this article we perform a comprehensive review of the contemporary treatment of the aging perioral area, detailing the most common techniques and their nuances.