Lip Lines: Here’s What You Can Do!

Those fine lines that develop around the mouth are sometimes called smoker’s lines because people who smoke often have them. They are sometimes called lipstick lines because they have a way of trapping lipstick in them. Whatever we call the vertical lines that develop on and around the lips, they are frustrating. They make the face look older. The person who has lips lines, usually a woman, can also feel less confident than they could and would like. Here, we discuss the causes of lip lines and ways that the problem can be addressed.

The Cause of Lip Lines

When exploring the cause of lip lines, it’s easy to point the finger of blame at age. This isn’t necessarily a wrong assumption. When the skin ages, it has less collagen to keep it firm and tight. There is also less elastin in the skin tissue starts to thin and become saggy. Finally, the body makes less hyaluronic acid, the chemical that holds water molecules in tissue to facilitate moisture. All of these factors relate to one critical point: age. Still, there are other reasons why we get lip lines. These include:

• Sun damage. When we go outdoors, we may put sunscreen on the face, neck, and other areas. This is something we should do daily, regardless of the weather. Additionally, we should apply an SPF lip balm so UV light does not degrade the collagen in the skin around the mouth.
• We cannot help but move the lips. This is one of the reasons why smokers are more prone to lip lines because they pucker often. Being one of the most moveable parts of the face, the mouth is a difficult place to avoid some degree of wrinkling.
• Volume loss. We mentioned that there is less hyaluronic acid in the skin as we age. Without this chemical, the skin deflates. The lips are not as full as they once were, and without this fullness, lines are inevitable.

Treating Lip Lines

Lip lines may not be preventable, though some tactics can slow their progression, like wearing sunscreen. In most cases, it becomes necessary to treat this cosmetic concern. Some of the ways that lip lines can be treated include:

• Botox injections. These can be administered to prevent lip lines or correct them.
• Dermal fillers. This injectable treatment adds volume to the lips and can smooth the lines around the mouth.
• Fractional laser resurfacing. This treatment accelerates cellular turnover and promotes collagen production.

Dr. Shondra Smith has accumulated innovative, proven treatments to smooth lip lines and other signs of aging. Call 337. 477.0011 to schedule a consultation at our Lake Charles office.