Vertical Lip Lines: Treatment Options

The mouth area is one of the first areas of the face to show unwelcome ageing changes. This includes a lengthening of the philtrum, the space between the base of the nose and the upper lip. Hydration levels drop and the lips look drier and more chapped. The lips become thinner; the vermillion border becomes less defined; and lines and wrinkles form.

What are vertical lip lines?

The tiny vertical lip lines that form around the mouth are often called smoker’s or lipstick lines, although they can affect anyone. Typically, they begin to develop in our 30s and become more prominent in our 40s and 50s.

They can become more challenging to camouflage, and make-up can often make them appear more pronounced.

What causes vertical lip lines?

You may be genetically predisposed to developing pronounced vertical lip lines, but most of us develop them as we age. Over time, our body produces less collagen, so the skin becomes thinner and less elastic, making us more prone to fine lines and wrinkles.

The mouth area is particularly susceptible to ageing changes as the facial muscles are constantly contracting and relaxing as we frown or pucker up.

How can you prevent vertical lip lines from developing?

If you smoke, quitting is one of the most critical steps to prevent vertical lip lines from developing. Smoking causes oxidative damage in the skin, which speeds up the breakdown of collagen, plus the constant motion of pursing your lips to smoke can speed up wrinkling around the mouth.

Avoid excessive sun exposure, which minimises photo-ageing of the skin, by wearing a high-factor sunscreen.

What are the best treatments for vertical lip lines?

The appearance of upper lip lines can be greatly improved by fractional laser treatments, such as the ClearLift, which creates micro-injuries deep into the dermis that stimulates the fibroblasts to produce more collagen and elastin.

Muscle relaxing injections can help smooth vertical lip lines. Rather than filling the lip lines, these injectable toxins temporarily block the signal from the nerves to the muscles you use when you move your mouth. This can help prevent lines from becoming deeper.

Temporary hyaluronic acid dermal fillers are the gold standard treatment for lip lines. The leading dermal filler brands each have several products of differing consistencies, depending on the area to be treated. Thinner, smoother fillers are used to fill the tiny vertical lip lines that surround the mouth. Results typically last for six months.

ASSOCIATED PROCEDURES: Dermal Fillers and Muscle Relaxing Injections