Lip Wrinkles: Causes, Preventions and Treatments

Published June 17, 2024

Our lips make up our smile. It is one of the defining features of our faces, no matter how small they seem. Initially, one can overlook it, be too bothered to take care or be insecure about it. However, the trust is that there are women bothered by their own, and one case is having lip wrinkles. 

Do you notice deep lines in your lips? Keep on reading. In this article, we’ll discuss everything you need to know about lip wrinkles. From causes, how to stop getting it, and actions to solve your dilemma. Let’s start. 

What Are Lip Wrinkles?

Lip wrinkles are the little vertical lines that emerge on the lips of older adults. They are sometimes called lip, lipstick, or smoker’s lines. These lines are notoriously difficult to hide—no wonder some may feel insecure about it. And getting rid of your lip lines can take ten years off your face, making you more youthful than ever. 

Lip wrinkles manifest on both the lips themselves and on the complexion of the upper lip. On the lips, they manifest as a set of fine vertical lines. They often stretch from one side of the mouth to the other. When you have them, lip products tend to settle, making them appear darker and more profound than they are. Above the lip, vertical lines flex upward from the lip, traveling through the nose. These wrinkles are typically more profound and intense than the ones on your lips. 

What Causes Lip Wrinkles?

Everyone develops lip lines over time. As we age, we lose collagen and elastin, proteins that create supple, smooth, and hydrated skin. 

Other causes of lip wrinkles are: 

• Excessive alcohol consumption
• Genetics
• Not enough sleep
• Repetitive movements such as pursing your lips or sipping through a straw 
• Smoking
• Sun damage 

How To Prevent Lip Wrinkles

The best way to reduce your likelihood of developing lip wrinkles is to abstain from sun exposure. Wear sun cream with at least SPF 30 every time you step outside. You can incorporate a moisturizer with SPF into your morning beauty regime. Many lip balms have SPF. All these actions will prevent sun damage, add moisture, and guard your lips from the elements. 

If you’re a smoker who’s worried about wrinkles, then quit. Smoking causes premature aging all over the face. The longer you continue that damaging habit, the more wrinkles you develop. 

Treatments You Can Lean Into for Lip Wrinkles.

1. Collagen creams and serums 

Creams and serums that facilitate collagen production are a good starting point. These products claim to be lip plumpers. Yet they are unlikely to help if your lip wrinkles have been for many years. 

Creams and serums are only minimally effective. To really get rid of stubborn wrinkles, you should seek aesthetic services. 

2. Dermal fillers

Many beauty providers now use injectable fillers to fill in lines and wrinkles and render a fuller-looking lip. A solution containing hyaluronic acid explicitly designed for lip lines is injected into the lips and the surrounding area. Lip augmentation is how healthcare professionals use fillers to make the lips appear slightly more prominent. The improvements are subtle but effective. 

3. Chemical peel 

A chemical peel is a procedure that removes the top layer of skin to reveal a new, younger-looking layer. It can help improve the appearance of fine wrinkles, light scarring, and blemished skin. Chemical peels are particularly well-suited for the upper lip. 

4. Laser resurfacing

Laser resurfacing is another method for removing the top layer of skin to reveal a youthful complexion. Lasers also have the added advantage of skin tightening. They work well on the skin around the mouth, nose, and eyes. Laser resurfacing can make people look 10 to 20 years younger, and the results last up to 10 years. 

5. Dermabrasion

Dermabrasion renders outcomes like a light chemical peel. Dermabrasion is a medical treatment and is usually done under sedation. It uses a rotating brush to polish away the top layer of the skin. Microdermabrasion is a gentler treatment often performed by estheticians involving a handheld device that removes the top layer of complexion with a stream of crystals or diamond tips. 

6. Microneedling

Microneedling is a relatively innovation that can help alleviate the appearance of fine lines residing in the lips. It is done with a roller with tiny needles that puncture the complexion repeatedly. It helps stimulate collagen production, which boosts the look of fine lines. It also aids in giving a more youthful appearance. Further, it tightens the skin effectively. 

7. Platelet-rich plasma

This treatment leverages a component of one’s blood to stimulate collagen production. Here, a solution is made from your platelets, tiny blood cells that assist with healing and rejuvenation. They are injected into the face through a microneedling device. 

8. Botox

If repetitive muscle movement causes wrinkles, Botox is for you. Botox relaxes muscles. In small amounts, it can significantly reduce the appearance of lip lines by preventing or decreasing muscle movement.