Advices on lip wrinkles: Prevention and Treatments

Have you ever wondered what those verticle lines are that form on our lips as we get older? They seem to come about very slowly and before you know it, they become very noticeable. Wearing lipstick to try and conceal them will only make them that much more apparent. These are called lip wrinkles or lip lines.

These lines can form on both lips and the skin on the upper lip, below the nose. On lips, they look like fine verticle lines that stretch from one side of your mouth to the other. The verticle lines that are above the lip stretch from the lip to the nose. These wrinkles are usually deeper and more defined than the ones on the lips. 

Unfortunately, according to a professor of dermatology, after the age of 20, we produce about 1 percent less collagen per year. As this production lessens, skin becomes thinner and has less elasticity. So typically puffy lips from our youth, become more deflated as we get older.

During the aging process, our skin also produces less oil, which leads to dryness. Our lips are the most susceptible to the weather yet they are the least protected. Ultraviolet rays and constant exposure to cold temperatures take their toll on unprotected lips. Smoking can also play a role in causing these wrinkles as well. Not only does smoking cause a production of free radicals in the body which lead to premature aging, the constant pursing of the lips when taking a drag, could help in causing lip wrinkles. 

There are a few preventive measures that you can do on a daily basis to help prevent lip wrinkles and lines. Some of these are listed below.

Dirt and buildup cause wrinkles especially on the face. So it is important to wash your face at least twice a day using a facial cleanser that is right for your skin type. Make sure it is a facial cleanser and not body wash or a bar soap. Facial washes are made for face so generally they are gentle for face compared to the latter which can be harsh since they are made for the body. Make sure when you wash your face you wash your lips and upper lip line with facial cleanser as well. 

Remove makeup daily before going to bed, especially any lip liner or lipstick that was worn that day. Apply a lip makeup remover to a cotton ball or swab and rub on your lips until it is all gone. Same goes if you wear concealer or foundation, make sure to use a makeup remover get rid of all traces of makeup.

Use an anti-aging product that contains the anti-aging ingredients retinol, hyaluronic acid, vitamin c, peptides and ceramides. Apply to your entire face twice a day, once in the morning and once again at night, focusing around the corners of your lips and upper lip line.

Apply lip serum to your lips twice a day, once in the morning and once again at night. If possible leave on your lips when you sleep at night. Just like with a moisturizer make sure the serum contains the anti-aging ingredients retinol, vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, peptides and ceramides. Make sure that the serum is dry prior to eating or drinking.

Get a balm that is SPF 15 or higher and apply at least twice a day or whenever your lips feel dry. Just like a sunscreen that will protect your skin from wrinkles, a lip balm will protect your lips from the sun.  For extra protection apply sunscreen to your upper lip as well. A lip balm that contains a moisturizer will help keep lips moist especially in cold, windy or dry weather.

When purchasing your next shade of lips stick, it's important to look for a lipstick that is labeled as hydrating, moisturizing, creme or glossy. Most lipsticks will dry out your lips, so if you wear lipstick make sure it is one that will keep your lips hydrated. Before applying your lipstick, make sure to exfoliate your lips with a lip scrub. This will provide a smooth surface for your lipstick. Try to avoid matte lipsticks if at all possible. Matte lipsticks will settle and make your lip lines that much more apparent.

There are a few lifestyle changes that you can do to help eliminate additional lip wrinkles. If you are a smoker, consider quitting. As mentioned earlier smoking is a big cause of lip wrinkles. If you need help quitting, please speak to your doctor about your options.

You can also reach a qualified counselor who can help you quit. Avoid drinking through straws and exposure to the sun. And a big one that no one thinks about, avoid licking your lips. Licking your lips constantly causes your lips to dry faster. If you do find yourself licking your lips constantly try applying a lip balm afterward.

There are a number of treatments that are available for you to help treat lip lines. Natural treatments or "at-home treatments" are obviously less expensive and more convenient than laser treatments. Laser treatments are invasive and an often a painless procedure.

There are so many over the counter treatment options that are available that it can be quite difficult to select just one. Besides over the counter products, you may have a few other options available in your home right now. Applying olive oil, cinnamon powder, and even oatmeal to your lips often is one way to help treat lip lines. And the best part about that is that these items are found in your kitchen pantry. Aloe Vera and coconut oil are also recommended to be used.  Rose water can be applied as well, with this treatment working best while sleeping.
 

Over the counter products can be purchase at any pharmacy or retail store at a very affordable price. When selecting the product that will best fit your needs start with products that contain creams and serums. These types of products help stimulate the production of collagen. Ones with SPF in it are an added bonus. A lot of these products claim to help plump your lips, but the results are usually minimal.

Laser resurfacing is when the top layer of skin on your lips is removed to reveal youthful looking skin. Laser treatment also has the added benefit of tightening up the skin around the nose, eyes, and mouth. The results are instant. Laser treatments can make your lips look up to 20 years younger. The results last longer too.


Most treatments are a two-step process. The first step is the combination of a plumping and refining process and then the surgery.

The plumping process involves the injection of a dermal filler into the lips. This procedure is relatively painless, but some patients do require a little anesthesia. The refining process begins after the derma filler process. One treatment of filler is not enough so plumping would need to be done multiple times to get the desired results.

Then comes the surgery. A precise and fine laser beam traces a path across your lips, cutting through the wrinkles and lines on your lips. This helps resurface your lips, making your lips look younger and smoother. The surgery is safe and involves temporary side effects like all laser surgeries. But the great part about this procedure is that there are no incisions and it is fairly inexpensive ( a single treatment may cost between $1500 and $2000) compared to other treatments available. This procedure will help give you the result you are looking for, plump and gorgeous lips.

Patients can go back to normal activity right after the procedure with minor swelling and bruising healing within 2 weeks. 

Lip wrinkles, unfortunately, are a part of growing older. Our bodies just naturally look older as we age. There is no stopping that. The secret is slowing down the aging process. How do you do that?  Besides eating a balanced diet and making sure you stay hydrated, the key is to preventive maintenance.

Begin at a young age and start protecting your skin and lips. Preventive maintenance is the key. But, if you have already started noticing lip wrinkles, it is not too late. If you start now you can minimize the damage going forward. The good news is that there are treatments available, both naturally and medically. But before trying anything it is important to research each product and procedure thoroughly and always seek advice from a medical professional.