Have you been noticing fine lines appearing around your mouth? Non-smokers are often surprised to see these lip lines developing. After all, why are they getting smoker lines if they don’t actually smoke?
It turns out, while smoking does make things worse, they’re not the sole cause of lip lines. There are actually a few different factors that contribute to those lines and wrinkles around the lips. Let’s take a closer look at some of these causes, as well as what you can do to treat those lines to give your face a smooth finish once again.
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What Causes Smoker’s Lines?
Smokers lines are primarily caused by the aging process. As your skin ages, it loses collagen and elastin, which are the two proteins that give your skin its firmness and volume. This means that all of those creases that appear each time you make certain facial expressions will no longer bounce away when your facial muscles relax. Instead, they’ll become permanently etched onto your face, deepening as the years go on.
While it’s true that smokers experience lip lines sooner than those that don’t smoke, these wrinkles tend to affect just about everyone in the end. Fortunately, you don’t have to deal with them forever – there are now several treatment options out there that can give you a line-free face once again.
The Best Treatments for Fine Lines Around the Mouth
While there are plenty of anti-aging creams available that will help make creases less visible, the best treatments for smoker’s lines are cosmetic procedures. These are some of the most effective:
Botox Injections
One quick and easy way to erase lip lines is with Botox. You’re probably aware of the muscle-relaxing effects of this injectable, and these work around the mouth too. The treatment involves a small amount of Botox injected into the skin around the mouth, which prevents those muscles from contracting quite so much. As a result, creases appear softer and smoother.
The downside to Botox is that results can sometimes look less-than-natural. An aggressive treatment could cause the top lip to appear floppy. This isn’t a good look, and it’s made worse by the fact that Botox can’t be reversed. This is why it’s important to choose a dermatologist who will only use a very small amount of the injectable for the procedure.
Dermal Fillers
Lip fillers are another effective way to address lip lines. Most of the fillers used for this treatment contain hyaluronic acid, with Restylane Silk and Juvederm being particularly popular. The lip filler is injected just above the lip, strengthening the skin and adding a little volume. This means that the skin in the area won’t crease up and wrinkle when your face makes different expressions, therefore leaving your mouth line-free.
The procedure is quick and, thanks to a numbing cream applied beforehand, feels pretty comfortable. It produces natural-looking results that can last for up to one year. After this time, your body will have broken the filler down, making another treatment necessary. However, applying a topical hyaluronic acid product to the area each day can help to extend how long your results last for.
One advantage to fillers is that you’ll also be able to benefit from their lip augmentation effects!
Laser Resurfacing
Laser resurfacing would be the only wrinkle treatment out there considered to be permanent. Yes, it does have a longer recovery time, but the results are dramatic yet natural, and, most importantly, are long-lasting.
Laser treatments not only help to erase creases around the lips, but they’ll also treat acne scars, age spots, and an uneven skin tone [1]. There are plenty of plastic surgeons that offer this treatment, but make sure that you pick someone licensed and credible in order to prevent damaging your skin.
Microneedling
Microneedling on its own won’t have a dramatic effect on creases around the lips, but combine this with a platelet-rich plasma (PRP) application and you’ll really see results. PRP stimulates the skin’s natural growth factors, meaning that it starts to produce more collagen and elastin on its own. This rebuilds the skin from beneath, which has a smoothing effect on the skin and the lines around the lips.
Chemical Peels
A chemical peel removes the outer layer of skin to reveal the smoother and firmer skin cells beneath. They come in various strengths, with a medium or deep peel being what you would need to effectively erase those creases. Those who have tried mild peels find that their lines are left unchanged.
While stronger peels do require a downtime, their effects are dramatic. That said, they rarely completely erase lines, which is why most dermatologists would recommend combining a peel with one or two other treatments, such as Botox or a filler.
FAQs
Can smoker lines be fixed?
Yes, there are several professional treatments that can fix smokers lines, such as hyaluronic acid fillers and laser procedures.
What is the best treatment for smokers lines?
Laser procedures are the best treatment for smokers lines, as they produce permanent results.
How can I get rid of smokers lines on my upper lip naturally?
Ingredients that stimulate natural collagen production, such as retinol, will help to give the skin around your lips a smoother and firmer appearance. However, it’s difficult to fully erase lip lines naturally – only professional treatments are able to accomplish this.
How can I hide my vertical lip lines?
Liquid primer followed by foundation is a good way to hide lip creases. This will also help with lipstick application by preventing lipstick lines.
Conclusion
Although developing lines around the lip area is a natural part of aging, they can really make a person look much older than they actually are. At-home creams and treatments can help, but you’ll need to turn to the professionals if you want to completely erase those creases. Fortunately, there are now more procedures than ever to choose from, many of which are quick and pain-free, meaning that a smooth and line-free face could soon be yours!
References
[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3580982/
