“I feel like my face has lost volume lately.”
“I want to smooth out wrinkles and sagging and add volume back to my skin.”
If you feel your facial contours have become less defined and want to restore a sharper, more youthful appearance, you are not alone.
A gaunt or sunken-looking face is often caused by loss of skin firmness, thinning lips, and wrinkles.
Over-the-counter skincare products can only do so much to address skin sagging and volume loss. However, hyaluronic acid injections at a clinic may help restore volume to the skin.
This page introduces the benefits and potential effects of hyaluronic acid injections. If you are concerned about volume loss in your skin or lips and are looking for a more youthful appearance, please read on.
Table of Contents
- 1 What Causes Thin Lips, Facial Sagging, and Wrinkles? How Aging and UV Rays Affect Skin Firmness
- 2 5 Key Signs That Make a Face Look Less Volumized
- 2.1 1. Aging of the Lips
- 2.2 2. Sunken Under-Eye Area
- 2.3 3. Midface Lines (Golgo Lines)
- 2.4 4. Nasolabial Folds
- 2.5 5. Marionette Lines
- 3 Hyaluronic Acid Injections at Our Clinic for Fuller Lips and Skin
- 3.1 What Are Hyaluronic Acid Injections?
- 3.2 Treatment Areas and Expected Aesthetic Effects
- 3.3 Pricing for Hyaluronic Acid Injections
- 4 Frequently Asked Questions About Hyaluronic Acid Injections
- 4.1 Q. Are there risks of side effects after hyaluronic acid injections?
- 4.2 Q. Can hyaluronic acid be used for purposes other than volume loss and wrinkles?
- 4.3 Q. How is this different from botulinum toxin injections?
- 5 Visit IC Clinic for Fuller Lips and Smoother Wrinkles
What Causes Thin Lips, Facial Sagging, and Wrinkles? How Aging and UV Rays Affect Skin Firmness
There are three main causes of thin lips, facial sagging, and wrinkles:
- Aging
- UV radiation
- Weakening of facial muscles
One particularly significant cause is photoaging — skin aging caused by UV exposure. It is estimated that approximately 80% of skin aging signs such as age spots, wrinkles, and sagging are attributable to sun exposure.
(Reference: Photoaging Consensus Statement | Journal of the Japanese Cosmetic Science Society)
UV rays cause volume loss in the lips and skin because cells in the dermis — the deeper layer of the skin — are damaged, leading to a reduction in collagen and elastin. Since collagen and elastin are responsible for skin firmness and elasticity, their decline contributes to sagging and wrinkles.
UV exposure can also damage or reduce the fibroblasts that produce collagen and elastin, further impairing the skin’s ability to regenerate these proteins.
Among UV rays, UVA penetrates deep into the skin, making UVA protection particularly important.
5 Key Signs That Make a Face Look Less Volumized
Skin changes caused by aging and UV exposure can significantly affect the overall impression of your face. The following are key signs that tend to make a face appear less full and volumized:
- Aging of the lips
- Sunken under-eye area
- Midface lines (Golgo lines)
- Nasolabial folds
- Marionette lines
Below, we explain how aging and UV rays affect each area and contribute to volume loss.
1. Aging of the Lips
Thinning lips or a dull lip color may be a result of aging. As the muscles around the mouth weaken, they can no longer adequately support the lips, causing the area between the nose and mouth to lengthen and the lips themselves to lose volume.
If you feel that your face has become longer than it used to be, age-related changes to the lips may be contributing to this impression.
With age, lips can also become drier, making vertical lip lines more noticeable. Additionally, since the skin on the lips has a thin outer layer, it is particularly susceptible to UV damage, which can lead to pigmentation and discoloration.
When volume loss in the lips is accompanied by vertical lines and uneven coloring, the overall face can take on a deflated, aged appearance.
2. Sunken Under-Eye Area
Hollowing in the upper eyelids can give the face a tired, aged look. The main causes of under-eye hollowing are weakening muscles and fatigue.
Collagen levels in the eyelids peak in the early twenties and gradually decline with age. As eyelid collagen diminishes, the surrounding skin loses firmness, making the eye area appear sunken.
Under-eye hollows are difficult to conceal with concealer alone, as shadows caused by the indentation remain visible even with makeup.
3. Midface Lines (Golgo Lines)
Golgo lines refer to the grooves that extend diagonally downward from the inner corner of the eye to the middle of the cheek.
The primary cause of Golgo lines is the weakening of facial muscles and fascia with age. They are also influenced by bone structure and the amount of subcutaneous fat. As facial muscles weaken and subcutaneous fat decreases, gaps form beneath the skin, which commonly leads to the appearance of Golgo lines.
Those with flatter cheekbones tend to have more prominent Golgo lines than those with more pronounced bone structure.
4. Nasolabial Folds
Nasolabial folds — the lines that run diagonally from both sides of the nose toward the corners of the mouth — can significantly affect facial appearance.
While they have various causes, the main factors are a reduction in collagen due to aging and a decline in skin firmness.
In younger years, the dermis is rich in collagen, giving the skin elasticity and the ability to keep the cheeks lifted. As collagen levels decrease with age, the skin loses its ability to resist gravity, leading to the formation of nasolabial folds.
Applying excessive pressure while washing the face can also cause unnecessary skin damage, which may accelerate sagging and contribute to nasolabial folds.
Because nasolabial folds are difficult to cover with makeup, they can make the lower half of the face appear sunken and hollowed.
5. Marionette Lines
Marionette lines are wrinkles that extend from the corners of the mouth down toward the chin, creating an appearance similar to a ventriloquist’s puppet when the mouth is closed.
Marionette lines can give the impression of downturned mouth corners and may make a person appear older than their actual age.
The main causes of marionette lines are muscle weakening and fat descent. As the orbicularis oris muscle around the mouth loses tone with aging, the face begins to sag, resulting in marionette lines.
Volume loss in facial fat tissue with age can also cause the skin to become lax, contributing to the appearance of marionette lines.
When fat accumulates along the jawline due to sagging cheeks, the resulting contour irregularities can further enhance the appearance of a drooping, aged face.
Hyaluronic Acid Injections at Our Clinic for Fuller Lips and Skin
It is difficult to address age-related volume loss in the lips or nasolabial folds through self-care alone.
Clinic-based treatments may help restore volume to the lips and skin. Hyaluronic acid injection is one representative approach that may contribute to volume restoration.
Below, we introduce the features of hyaluronic acid injections, their potential aesthetic effects, and our clinic’s pricing.
What Are Hyaluronic Acid Injections?
Hyaluronic acid injections involve injecting hyaluronic acid into the face to address concerns such as nasolabial folds and hollowing.
Hyaluronic acid injected into the dermis works from the underlying layers to add volume to the skin, helping to create a plumper, more youthful-looking complexion.
Because hyaluronic acid has excellent moisture-retaining and water-absorbing properties, it may also help improve skin hydration and elasticity. Another notable feature of this treatment is that it consists only of injections, allowing for a relatively short treatment session.
For more details about hyaluronic acid injections, please visit the following page:
What Are Hyaluronic Acid Injections? — 9 Treatment Areas and Their Expected Aesthetic Effects
Treatment Areas and Expected Aesthetic Effects
The aesthetic effects of hyaluronic acid injections vary depending on the treatment area. The table below summarizes the expected effects for each area. Treatment areas can be selected based on your individual goals and the facial appearance you wish to achieve.
| Area of Concern | Expected Aesthetic Effect |
|---|---|
| Forehead | Creates a smooth, rounded forehead for a softer, more approachable appearance |
| Glabella (Between Eyebrows) | May help reduce expression lines |
| Outer Eye Corners | May help reduce expression lines |
| Under-Eye Area / Tear Troughs | Helps address tired-looking eyes; fuller tear troughs can give a gentler impression |
| Nose | Enhances the nasal profile for a more defined, balanced appearance |
| Temples | Fills in temple hollowing to restore skin firmness in the area |
| Nasolabial Folds | May help reduce the appearance of nasolabial folds for a more youthful look |
| Lips | Helps address dryness and may restore moisture and fullness to the lips |
| Chin | Helps define the E-line for more refined facial proportions |
Pricing for Hyaluronic Acid Injections
| Area | Price per 1cc |
|---|---|
| Forehead & Temple Contouring Injection | From ¥15,000 (Tax included: from ¥16,500) |
| Glabella (Between Eyebrows) | From ¥15,000 (Tax included: from ¥16,500) |
| Under-Eye Area | From ¥15,000 (Tax included: from ¥16,500) |
| Tear Troughs | From ¥15,000 (Tax included: from ¥16,500) |
| Nose | From ¥15,000 (Tax included: from ¥16,500) |
| Midface Lines (Golgo Lines) | From ¥15,000 (Tax included: from ¥16,500) |
| Nasolabial Folds | From ¥15,000 (Tax included: from ¥16,500) |
| Marionette Lines | From ¥15,000 (Tax included: from ¥16,500) |
| Chin | From ¥15,000 (Tax included: from ¥16,500) |
Hyaluronic acid injections are offered at our clinic as a non-covered (self-pay) treatment. The prices shown in the table represent the minimum starting price. Actual costs may vary depending on the individual case.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hyaluronic Acid Injections
We have compiled answers to frequently asked questions about hyaluronic acid injections. If you have any concerns about undergoing this treatment, please take a moment to read through them.
Q. Are there risks of side effects after hyaluronic acid injections?
Hyaluronic acid is a substance that naturally occurs in the human body, so the risk of side effects from injection is not considered high. However, bruising at the injection site or redness in the surrounding area may occur in some cases.
Side effects such as bruising and redness are generally temporary and tend to resolve on their own over time.
If bleeding or redness does not subside after some time following the injection, there is a possibility of an allergic reaction. If you have any concerns about side effects, please consult with the clinic before deciding to proceed with treatment.
Q. Can hyaluronic acid be used for purposes other than volume loss and wrinkles?
In addition to addressing volume loss and wrinkles, hyaluronic acid injections may also be beneficial for the following:
- Tear trough enhancement
- Nose bridge augmentation
- Chin E-line contouring
The volume added by hyaluronic acid injections may help lift the skin, contributing to fuller-looking tear troughs and a more defined nose. Injections to the chin tip can also help project the chin, which may assist in E-line definition.
“I want fuller tear troughs for a softer look,” “I want a more defined nose for a slimmer facial appearance,” “I want a beautiful side profile through E-line contouring” — these are among the goals that hyaluronic acid injections may help address.
Q. How is this different from botulinum toxin injections?
Botulinum toxin injections are another treatment used to address wrinkles, similar to hyaluronic acid injections. However, the mechanism and suitable indications differ between the two.
Hyaluronic acid injections work by supporting the skin from within to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, whereas botulinum toxin injections act on the muscles to limit facial movement, thereby helping to prevent the formation of dynamic wrinkles.
Botulinum toxin injections tend to be more suited for wrinkles that appear with facial movement, while hyaluronic acid injections may be more appropriate for other types of wrinkles.
Botulinum toxin injections may also help reduce muscle bulk in areas such as the jaw, contributing to a slimmer facial contour.
Visit IC Clinic for Fuller Lips and Smoother Wrinkles
If you are concerned about thin lips or skin sagging and volume loss, considering clinic-based treatment may be a worthwhile option.
Hyaluronic acid injections work from the deeper layers of the skin to help restore volume, which may contribute to a reduction in the appearance of wrinkles and hollowing.
Because treatment can be tailored to multiple areas, hyaluronic acid injections offer the advantage of being adaptable to each person’s individual concerns.
If you are interested in hyaluronic acid injections to help restore facial volume and improve a gaunt or deflated appearance, please feel free to contact IC Clinic for a consultation.
