What Causes Lip Wrinkles & How to Get Rid of It?

Also known as lip lines, lip wrinkles are those little vertical lines that start to form on the lips as we age. They are especially visible on the lips of the elderly. Lip wrinkles are also known as lipstick lines or smoker’s lines. Lip wrinkles are very difficult to conceal, even with layers of lipstick or other makeup. Instead of trying to cover up these lip wrinkles, you should rather focus on getting rid of these lip lines. You will be surprised to notice that by getting rid of your lip wrinkles, you can easily look up to ten years younger. We take a look at everything related to lip wrinkles including what causes lip wrinkles, treatment of lips wrinkles, prevention and many other factors associated with lip wrinkles.

Lip wrinkles are the small vertical lines that form on the lips as we start to age. These are very difficult to conceal and it is easier to get rid of these lines rather than trying to conceal them with makeup. Getting rid of lip wrinkles can easily make you look nearly ten years younger.

Lip wrinkles are also known as:

• Lip lines
• Smoker’s lines
• Lipstick lines

Lip wrinkles can form on both the upper and lower lip and generally develop themselves. They appear as fine vertical lines that stretch from one side of your mouth to the other side. It is usually a common sight to find lipstick settling into these lines, making the lines appear even deeper and darker than they actually are. In some cases, the vertical lines can also stretch upwards from the lip up to the nose. These above the lip wrinkles are even deeper and more pronounced than the wrinkles on your lips.

Once you cross the age of 20, your body starts to reduce the production of collagen by one percent every year. As the production of collagen goes down, your skin starts losing its elasticity and also starts becoming thinner. While the lips remain puffy during the youth years, they start looking deflated as you age.

Aging skin is also known to produce less oil, causing chronic dryness. Dryness especially impacts the lips because the lips are constantly exposed to the elements.

Another major cause of lip wrinkles is sun exposure. Since the skin on the lips is extremely delicate and typically remains unprotected, exposure to the ultraviolet rays of the sun causes premature aging of the skin on the lips. This condition is known as photoaging.

Lip wrinkles that appear on the upper lips are generally a result of smoking. Smoking increases the production of free radicals in the body contributing to premature aging. Additionally, it is also believed that the repetitive motion of taking a drag of the cigarette also increases the appearance of lip wrinkles.

In many cases, lip wrinkles are also believed to be caused by the pursing of lips during drinking through a straw or because of repetitive facial expressions as well.

There are certain things you can do by yourself at home that will help treat some of the signs of aging on and around your lips and mouth area. There are many creams and serums that are known to boost the production of collagen and using these would be a good place to start. There are also a couple of products available on the market that claims to help in plumping up the lips, though if your lips are already thin and wrinkled then these products are unlikely to help.

A couple of common products that can help with lip wrinkles include:

• Olay Regenerist Anti-Aging Serum
• Peter Thomas Roth Unwrinkle Lip Treatment
• RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream
• Physicians Formula Plump Potion
• Embryolisse Re-Densifying Eye and Lip Contour Cream
• Sisley Botanical Eye and Lip Contour Balm
• Lancer Volume Enhancing Lip Serum
• Dermalogica Nightly Lip Treatment
• Lancome Renergie Lift Multi-Action Lip Replumping Balm

Treatment of lip wrinkles at home can only be possible to a minimal level. In order to get rid of the stubborn wrinkles, then you need to head over to a dermatologist. The following are the medical options that you can use for treating your lip wrinkles.

Most dermatologists and healthcare professionals prefer to use injectable fillers to fill in the wrinkles and lines that have developed on the lips, leading to a plumper lip. Derma fillers are basically a solution that contains hyaluronic acid which is injected directly into your lips as well as the surrounding area. Some of the common brand names of lip fillers are:

• Restylane
• Juvederm
• Vollure
• Volbella (a newer filler that is specifically designed to get rid of lip wrinkles)

Apart from hyaluronic acid, though, there are some other substances also that are approved to be used as lip fillers. Calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA) is another naturally occurring substance that is also approved for use as a lip filler. CaHA lip fillers are thicker than hyaluronic acid fillers and are also known to last longer, 12 months for most patients. Calcium hydroxylapatite is also believed to help boost the body’s natural collagen production over a period of time. The only approved CaHA lip filler as of today is Radiesse^®.

You can also undergo the process of lip augmentation, by which your doctors use the same lip fillers to make the lips appear to be bigger. While the change is usually subtle, but it is an effective treatment for lip wrinkles.

Chemicals peels are more suited for treating or getting rid of lip wrinkles on the upper lip. A chemical peel involves the removal of the topmost layer of the skin, allowing a new and younger-looking layer of the skin to take its place. A chemical peel can help improve the appearance of fine lines, fine wrinkles, blemishes, and light scars on the skin.

There are many different types of chemical peels available on the market and they vary in strength and intensity. Unless you are very confident of using a chemical peel, it is best you avoid using them at home and instead, talk to your doctor about which chemical peel would be best suited for your skin type and condition. It is always recommended that you have a chemical peel done at either a dermatologist’s clinic or at a certified salon.

Dermabrasion has also become a commonly used procedure for treating lip wrinkles. It is a procedure that is very similar to a light chemical peel. This is a proper medical procedure which needs to be performed under sedation only. Standard dermabrasion involves the use of a rotating brush for removing the top-most layer of the skin.

Another dermabrasion process, known as microdermabrasion, is a much gentler procedure and if usually performed by estheticians. Microdermabrasion involves using a handheld device for polishing away the top-most layer of the skin. The device uses a stream of crystals or it has a diamond tip for the polishing process. The device functions by vacuuming away the topmost layer of the skin.

You are unlikely to receive the desired results in one sitting and therefore you will need at least 3-4 sittings of the procedure, spread out over a couple of months, to get the results which you desire.

This is another technique that removes the topmost layer of the skin, making room for the new, younger-looking layer of the skin to come forth. The additional benefit of using lasers for treating lip wrinkles is that lasers also tighten your skin. This tightening effect is especially effective on the skin around the nose, eyes, and the mouth.

Laser resurfacing is effective at shedding away the years from a person’s face, making people look at least 10 to 20 years younger. Results of laser resurfacing also tend to last for a much longer time than the other procedures, with most results lasting for nearly 10 years.

A relatively new procedure, micro needling focuses on decreasing or getting rid of the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles around the lips. Microneedling makes use of a roller that has tiny needles which puncture the skin repeatedly for stimulating collagen production. This is an effective technique for skin tightening and also improves the appearance of fine lines, giving a more youthful appearance over a period of time.

This is one of the newest techniques on the market. Platelet-rich Plasma (PRP) is a procedure that uses a part of your own blood for stimulating the body’s collagen production once again. The process revolves around creating a solution from your blood platelets. Platelets are small blood cells that are responsible for healing and have a role to play in blood clotting as well. This solution is then injected into your face with the help of micro-needling device. The process is also commonly referred to as a vampire facial.

Perhaps one of the oldest and most effective procedures known to everyone, Botox helps relax the muscles and reduces the appearance of lip wrinkles by reducing or preventing the movement of the muscles in that area. Botox injections need to be administered by a trained dermatologist or healthcare professional only.

Apart from these medical procedures discussed above, there are also some natural treatments you can try for decreasing the appearance of lip wrinkles.

Cinnamon has many health benefits and is a vital part of many of the traditional medicines used in India and China. Cinnamon is also often ingested for controlling blood sugar levels, for activating the immune system and also for reducing cholesterol levels.

Cinnamon is excellent for the skin, helping to stimulate the blood flow to the topmost layers of the skin. Cinnamon helps cleanse, nourish, and plump the wrinkled skin from the inside.

To use cinnamon for getting rid of lip wrinkles and the fine lines around your mouth, you can mix a small amount of ground cinnamon powder with any natural oil of your preference. Try to choose from coconut oil, jojoba oil, or vitamin E oil as these all provide an extra boost of wrinkle-fighting benefits.

Once the mixture is ready, massage this nicely into your lips and leave it in for 15-20 minutes. Afterward, simply remove the mixture by washing it off with lukewarm water. Pat dry with a soft towel. Avoid using soap or face wash to remove the mixture.

The extract of grape seed is known for its natural antioxidant properties and helps restore elasticity to your skin once again. Another benefit of using grape seed extract on your skin is its anti-aging properties. Grape seed extract works wonders for the skin because it protects the elastin and collagen in your skin.

You can simply use grape seed extract topically by massaging it into your lip wrinkles daily. You will notice a difference within one month of using it daily.

This may surprise many, but putting on significant weight can also contribute to the formation of lip wrinkles. In fact, any major shift (be it weight gain or weight loss) is likely to contribute to the appearance of wrinkles around your mouth. Maintaining a healthy weight will help reduce the likelihood of lip wrinkles to form.

Avoiding sugary beverages, eating healthy foods, and exercising regularly are just some of the ways you can maintain a healthy weight.

It is possible to prevent the appearance of lip wrinkles. The best way of reducing the risk of developing lip wrinkles is to avoid sun exposure. You should not only apply sunscreen on your face while going out but also apply it on your lips. A sunscreen of at least SPF 30 should be used. You can also try to include a moisturizer with an SPF factor into your morning regime. Opting for lip balms that contain SPF is also highly recommended. This not only prevents sun damage but also adds moisture and also protects your lips from other elements.

If you are a regular smoker and you are concerned about developing lip wrinkles, then you should really consider quitting. Smoking not only causes your skin to appear more aged, but it also contributes directly to the development of wrinkles. Furthermore, the longer you smoke, the more lip wrinkles you will end up developing.

If you are starting to witness signs of aging on your lips or around your mouth, then there is no need to worry. There are treatment options available for getting rid of lip wrinkles. There are not only medical procedures you can undergo for removing lip wrinkles, but there are also many natural treatments available that can help.

If you want to opt for a medical procedure, then you should discuss with your doctor about which would be the best process for you to choose.