How to Improve Dry, Chapped Lips (Incl. Philtrum Shortening Lip Fillers)
Hello,
Welcome to Hev Dermatology Clinic.
This post was written in accordance with the Medical Service Act and was created by a medical institution operated by a board-certified dermatologist at Hev Clinic, with the consent of the patient who received treatment.
It is not intended to emphasize treatment effects or personal treatment experiences, but rather to provide general information about dermatology and aesthetic procedures.
The photos used in this post meet the following conditions:
- The same individual appears in both the before and after photos.
- The dates when the photos were taken before and after treatment are specified.
- The photos were taken under the same conditions.
This post provides various medical information, including possible side effects that may occur from the procedure. In accordance with Article 56, Paragraph 2, Subparagraph 7 of the Medical Service Act, diagnoses and treatment results may vary depending on the individual, and both effects and side effects may differ from person to person.
※ This article was written directly by the director of Hev Clinic for the purpose of providing information about dermatologic and aesthetic procedures.
Not long ago, I shared some wonderful news—an honor for both me and my family: I received an academic award from the Dermatological Association for my work on lip filler techniques.
Before: December 10, 2024 – After: December 30, 2024
All photos were posted with the patient’s consent. They are unedited images of the same person, taken in the same location under the same conditions.
Results can vary from person to person. A thorough consultation is essential, including a discussion of possible side effects such as pigmentation, bruising, and swelling.
Because of that, people find our posts for many different reasons—ranging from first-time lip filler questions to cases involving previous unsatisfactory lip filler results.
Today’s case is a male patient in his 40s.
Before lip filler (male, 40s)
You can probably tell from the photos—he has a strong, rugged, very masculine look.
He’s naturally handsome, but his upper lip was very thin and curled inward, which he told us had bothered him for years.
If you look closely, you’ll also notice that the left side of the upper lip is slightly thinner than the right. He wanted to improve that asymmetry as well.
Why an “inward-curling” upper lip can change the profile
From the side view, many people consider it attractive when the upper lip sits slightly behind—or gently touches—the line drawn between the nose and the chin.
But when the upper lip curls inward too much, it can make the lower face look more prominent and sometimes even create the impression of a protruding jaw or bite issues.
In cases like this, a simple 1 cc lip filler can make a noticeable difference—often with minimal discomfort and without a long downtime.
Before & After (1 cc lip filler)
Before: December 10, 2024 – After: December 30, 2024
All photos were posted with the patient’s consent. They are unedited images of the same person, taken in the same location under the same conditions.
Results can vary from person to person. A thorough consultation is essential, including a discussion of possible side effects such as pigmentation, bruising, and swelling.
A key rule for men’s lip filler: keep it natural
For men’s lip filler, the most important point is simple:
- Don’t feminize the lips.
- Don’t overfill. A subtle improvement usually looks the most natural and masculine.
Choosing the right filler (and the right design) matters
In lip filler procedures, we often use a softer filler because it injects smoothly and is easy to shape. The benefit is that it can create hydrated, plump, youthful-looking lips—almost as if they’re naturally moisturized.
However, for some patients—especially older patients or many male patients—that same “dewy volume” can look overly done or unnatural if the product choice and technique aren’t tailored carefully.
That’s why a natural, subtle enhancement depends on both:
- Using the right type of filler
- Precise design—knowing exactly where to add volume and where to avoid it
If you’re considering lip filler, I recommend choosing a clinic whose before-and-after portfolio matches your personal taste and the look you want.
Thank you.
