What Causes Lip Wrinkles & What’s the Best Way to Treat Them?

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Wrinkles come in many shapes and forms. Frown lines, crow’s feet, smile lines – these are the wrinkles that we expect to see as we age, and there is a plethora of anti-aging skincare products out there designed to help with those specific creases.

However, most people don’t realize that the skin on their lips will soon fall victim to the effects of aging too. That’s right – in addition to creases spidering their way across the rest of your face, lip wrinkles are a very common occurrence as well.

Read on to find out exactly what causes lip wrinkles, plus what you can do to treat them.

Why Do My Lips Have Wrinkles? Here’s What Causes Wrinkled Lips

There are a few different factors that contribute to lip wrinkles. Chances are that yours are due to at least one or more of the following:

  • The loss of collagen due to the natural aging process
  • Dryness, either due to aging or to environmental factors, such as the weather
  • Sun damage
  • Smoking
  • Repeated facial expressions, such as frequently drinking through a straw or pursing your lips for long periods of time

Why Are My Lips Wrinkly at a Young Age? Here’s How to Tell if You Have Naturally Wrinkled Lips

If none of the above applies to you and you’re noticing lip lines at a young age, then it could, unfortunately, be due to genetics. If your parents or grandparents have always had wrinkled lips, then your genes are likely to blame.

Fortunately, many of the treatment options that we’re about to share will still work for you!

What Helps Lip Wrinkles Disappear? Here’s How to Get Rid of Wrinkly Lips at Home

serum for the lady

If you’d like to try at-home products and techniques before turning to professional procedures, there are a few things that you should do.

Firstly, keep your lips hydrated. After all, wrinkles are so much more noticeable on dry or dehydrated lips. In addition to drinking plenty of water, keep your lips hydrated from the outside too with lips balms and other moisturizing products.

Anti-aging serums can also work wonders on lip wrinkles. Look for a formula with proven ingredients and use it regularly.

Can You Put Retinol on Your Lips?

Retinol is a common ingredient in anti-aging serums, but it’s also known for causing skin irritation. So, is it safe to apply this vitamin to your lips?

The answer is yes, so long as you pick a formula that’s designed for sensitive skin. If you’re struggling to find a retinol face serum that’s gentle enough to dab onto your pout, look for an eye serum instead.

Since the skin around the eyes is delicate and fragile, these formulas will also usually be suitable for sensitive skin on the lips.

RELATED: Best Lip Wrinkle Cream

Taking Things Professional: Finding the Best Treatment for Wrinkles Above Lips

If you’d like to see results as quickly as possible, then it’s always best to turn to a professional. Here are some of the best treatments for tackling lip wrinkles:

pretty lips in the light

Laser for Upper Lip Wrinkles

Not only does laser skin resurfacing help with fine lines and wrinkles, but it can also tackle scars, hyperpigmentation, and loose skin. While it may be a pricey treatment, the results can last for several years, making it well worth considering.

Dermal Fillers for Fine Lines & Wrinkles on Side of Mouth

Dermal fillers can be injected directly into the lips, or into the skin around the mouth. They provide extra volume, which plumps away wrinkles and gives the treated area a fuller and firmer finish. 

Microneedling for Perioral Wrinkles & Other Signs of Aging Around Mouth

Microneedling is a treatment that focuses on increasing natural collagen production. Collagen is the protein that holds your skin up from within. This means that the more collagen you have in your skin, the fewer wrinkles you’ll be displaying.

Botox for Dramatic Before and After Results on Deep Lines & Frown Lines Around Mouth

Lip wrinkles are often caused by repeated facial expressions. Botox prevents the face from forming those expressions, which therefore enables those wrinkles to relax and fade away.

How to Prevent Lip Wrinkles From Forming in the First Place

There are several steps that you can take to prevent the formation of lip wrinkles, including:

  • Keeping your lips, as well as the area around your mouth, protected from the sun and its damaging UV rays
  • Quitting smoking
  • Keeping your lips moisturized and hydrated with nourishing lip balms and other lip care products
  • Following a good anti-aging skincare routine, focusing on the skin around your mouth

FAQ

Q: How do you get rid of lip wrinkles?

Topical balms and creams containing anti-aging ingredients can help you to get rid of lip wrinkles, as can certain cosmetic treatments.

Q: Why are there wrinkles on my lips?

There are several factors that cause lip wrinkles, such as sun damage, smoking, and facial expressions.

Q: How do you prevent lip wrinkles?

Protecting your lips from UV rays and sun damage is one of the best things that you can do to prevent lip wrinkles.

Q: Why do women’s lips wrinkle?

Both men and women experience lip wrinkles, although women may notice it sooner because their collagen production tends to decline at an earlier age.

Q: What are lip lines?

Lip lines are small creases that appear on the lips.

Q: Why do I have wrinkles around my mouth?

Sun damage is one reason why you have wrinkles around your mouth, although smoking and certain facial expressions contribute to this too.

Q: What causes wrinkles around the mouth?

Wrinkles around the mouth are caused by several different things, including natural aging, smoking, and UV damage.

Q: What is the medical term for lip wrinkles?

The medical term for lip wrinkles is perioral wrinkles.

Conclusion: Say Goodbye to Creased Lips!

Whether you go with topical products to use at home or book yourself in for a cosmetic treatment, there are plenty of options available when it comes to banishing lip wrinkles. Once you’ve managed to get rid of them, don’t forget to also follow the prevention tips above to stop those wrinkles from making an appearance yet again!

Avatar for Megan Foley

Megan has been a freelance writer and editor since 2016. In that time, she’s penned a diverse collection of articles for online publication, with a focus on skincare and beauty. From in-depth product reviews to concise marketing content, Megan is passionate about developing content that informs, entertains, and inspires.