What happens to our lips as we age? Like aging skin, aging lips can also have wrinkles. Lip wrinkles, or lip lines, are vertical lines that form on the lips themselves and the skin of the upper lip. These wrinkles can often be very difficult to cover up and conceal. Fortunately, there are treatments available to remove lip lines rather than conceal them, and this can take years off your lips!

What Causes Lip Wrinkles?

As we age, our skin and lips produce less collagen. As your collagen production decreases, your skin and lips become thinner and less elastic. This can make your lips look thin and deflated. Because your skin also produces less oil as it ages, your lips might also experience chronic dryness and feel chapped more often.

Two other major causes of wrinkles around the mouth and on the lips are sun exposure and smoking. The skin around the mouth and lips is very delicate, and often people miss this area when applying SPF. Smoking also causes premature aging, and the repetitive motion of smoking can increase wrinkles and lip lines.

The Best Treatment for Lip Lines

Fortunately, there are many treatments available to turn back the clock on your aging lips. Here are a few of the most common.

Dermal fillers: Products such a Restylane and Juvederm are injectable fillers that fill in wrinkles and provide a fuller-looking lip appearance.

Laser resurfacing: This procedure removes the top layer of skin, and a new, younger-looking layer of skin takes its place. This procedure has long-lasting results that can last up to 10 years.

Chemical peel: This is another procedure that removes the top layer of skin, so a new and younger-looking layer can emerge. There are a variety of peels that vary in intensity, so be sure to consult your doctor about which is best for you and your goals.

Dermabrasion and microdermabrasion: Dermabrasion uses a rotating brush to remove the top layer of skin. Microdermabrasion is gentler than dermabrasion. A few treatments will be needed.

Micro-needling: A microneedling procedure involves puncturing the skin repeatedly with tiny needles. These needles stimulate collagen production, which improves the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Botox: Sometimes wrinkles around the mouth are caused by repetitive motion of the muscles. Botox works by relaxing these muscles.

At-home treatments such as lip serums and creams that stimulate collagen production can also help to erase fine lines and wrinkles, though these will not be nearly as effective as a medical procedure.

Lips get their shape and plumpness from collagen, and producing less collagen is a natural part of aging. Lifestyle can also be a factor, so always wear sunscreen and lip balm with SPF and avoid smoking. Exfoliating your lips and using lip serums regularly can also keep your lips looking young and plump. If wrinkles around your mouth and lip lines affect your self-confidence, talk to your doctor today about an option to restore the plump to your pout.