The Truth About Lip Lines: How to Manage Lip Wrinkles

As if fine lines and wrinkles on your face weren’t enough to worry about, lip lines are another fact of aging that can put a damper on your beauty look. Lip wrinkles not only age your appearance, but they also make it difficult to get that perfect lipstick application you once were able to. But there’s no need to fret! Below, we’re sharing the truth about lip lines and how to manage lip wrinkles so you can keep on smiling with your most beautiful pout.

WHAT CAUSES LIP LINES?

As you can probably guess, there’s more than one factor that can contribute to lip lines and wrinkles. Read on for three common causes worth noting, courtesy of the Mayo Clinic.

Lip Line Cause #1: Lack of moisture. You probably know by now that mature skin tends to lack moisture. That’s because as you get older, decreased production of natural oils can leave your skin—including the skin on your lips—dry, which can lead to more noticeable wrinkles.

Lip Line Cause #2: Sun damage. It’s no secret that damage from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays can result in a handful of skin concerns, lip lines and wrinkles being one of them. UV radiation speeds up the natural aging process and is a primary cause of early wrinkling. This is because UV light exposure breaks down your skin's connective tissue, including collagen and elastic fibers, which causes your skin to sag and wrinkle prematurely. Yikes!

Lip Line Cause #3: Smoking. Smoking is another factor that can contribute to various skin concerns, including lip wrinkles. This is because smoking can accelerate the normal aging process of your skin, contributing to wrinkles.

HOW TO HELP PREVENT LIP WRINKLES

Now that you know what causes lip lines, let’s talk prevention. After all, it’s safe to say you’d like to avoid lip wrinkles as much as possible! Here’s what you can do.

Lip Line Prevention Tip #1: Keep your pout hydrated. Like we said, dry skin is wrinkly skin! Layer on hydrating lip products throughout the day to keep your pout moisturized. Need a product rec or two? Head over to our article, Our Best Lip Moisturizing Products for a Hydrated Pout, to keep dry lips at bay.

Lip Line Prevention Tip #2: Don’t skip sun protection. Your lips need sun protection too! Look for lip products, such as a lip balm, that contain broad-spectrum SPF.

Lip Line Prevention Tip #3: Say no to smoking. Avoid premature wrinkles on your lips (and the rest of your skin) by passing on cigarettes. If you already smoke, quit to prevent future wrinkles!

CAN YOU GET RID OF LIP LINES?

What if you already have lip lines? Does that mean you’re stuck with them? Well, the good news is, there are medical procedures available to help at least temporarily.

Option #1: Fillers. Lip filler can be used to restore a youthful appearance to your pout. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, fillers are an efficient way to plump lips. What’s more, most fillers permit patients to go about their everyday activities immediately after, making them a popular option. There are many types of fillers, one of the most popular for the lips being derma fillers, per the Cleveland Clinic.

Option #2: Lip lift. According to the Cleveland Clinic, laser skin resurfacing—also known as a face or lip lift—is another option. When used for skin resurfacing, laser surgery has demonstrated similar results to an intermediate-depth chemical peel with less risk of complications. It is effective with lip lines as well as the eyelid and forehead region.

Next up: Want to learn more about preventing different types of wrinkles? Check out our articles, 7 Tips for Dealing with Forehead Wrinkles and Can You Get Rid of Smile and Laugh Lines?, to do just that.