Among the visible signs of aging, wrinkles around the lips often stand out as a prominent concern for many people. They can significantly impact our appearance and self-confidence. Many options are now available to combat wrinkles around the lips as the field of dermatology has significantly progressed in this area in recent years.
Kristina Cadwell
July 20, 2023
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9 min read
This article recommends the best treatments for wrinkles above the lips, and explains how to delay the onset of these premature aging signs.
What Are Wrinkles Above the Lips?
Wrinkles above the lips are small vertical lines that form around the lips, stretching from the upper lip line to the base of the nose. They are even more pronounced when wearing lipstick, which tends to bleed into these lines.
Types of Wrinkles Above the Lips
There are two types of lip wrinkles, depending on how they form: static and dynamic.
Static Lip Wrinkles
Static wrinkles are more pronounced because they are caused by gravity and age-related, loss of elasticity. They are more difficult to remove than dynamic wrinkles, but not impossible.
Dynamic Lip Wrinkles
Dynamic wrinkles appear due to repeated facial expressions. They usually become less visible after our faces return to a relaxed state, so they are easier to smooth than static wrinkles and require fewer treatments.
What Causes Wrinkles Above the Lips?
Understanding what causes wrinkles can help us combat early aging signs. There are several common causes of wrinkles above the lips.
Aging – As early as our twenties, the body naturally starts to produce less collagen and elastin (about 1% less per year), resulting in dry skin, loss of skin elasticity, and tired-looking skin around the lips.
Genetics – Genes determine when wrinkles will appear and how pronounced they will be, but healthy habits and cosmetic treatments can slow down the process of wrinkle formation.
Sun exposure – Exposure to the sun, especially without sunscreen, is the primary cause of skin aging and premature wrinkles.
Cold temperatures – The cold dries the lips and strips them of sebum and necessary oils that protect the outer layer of the skin on and around the lips, leading to the formation of wrinkles in this area.
Smoking – Inhaling smoke causes the breakdown of collagen faster than our bodies can replace it. Additionally, the repetitive puckering of the lips that accompanies a drag contributes to the formation of lines.
Alcohol – Alcohol depletes the skin of vitamins and moisture, radically slows the production of collagen and elastin, and causes inflammation, leading to premature aging.
Repeated facial expressions – Lip motions, such as those during smoking or drinking from bottles and straws, speed up wrinkle formation on the upper lips, where the skin is particularly thin and sensitive.
How to Prevent Wrinkles Above the Lips?
Here are the best ways to prevent and postpone the formation of wrinkles above the lips.
Use Sunscreen
UV rays from the sun cause collagen to break down and damage the skin. Wearing broad-spectrum, SPF 30+ sunscreens year-round significantly protects the skin from photodamage and delays the formation of wrinkles and other aging signs.
Hydrate
Hydration is crucial for our health, including that of our skin. Make sure to drink at least eight glasses of water daily. If you are consuming alcohol, drink a glass of water for every alcoholic drink to retain optimal hydration levels.
Stop or Limit Smoking and Drinking
Smoking and drinking disrupt collagen and elastin production while also causing skin issues such as clogged pores and skin inflammation. All of this causes more pronounced wrinkles around the lips, especially when accompanied by the repeated gestures linked to smoking.
Avoid Drinking from Straws and Bottles
The repeated puckering when drinking from straws and bottles can cause permanent wrinkles above the lips to appear over a longer period. Replace the habit with the standard drinking from a glass.
Perform Facial Exercises
Facial exercises, consisting of various puckering and pouting motions, can make the skin more resilient to the formation of deep wrinkles. They improve circulation, strengthen the muscles around the lips, and help firm and tone the area.
Improve Your Diet
High intake of sugar and processed foods increases collagen breakdown and contributes to faster skin aging. A diet rich in nutrients supports the body’s collagen production, reduces inflammation, and contributes to healthy skin.
Use Anti-Aging Products
Consistent skin care is the basis of maintaining a youthful, healthy complexion. The best anti-aging products contain ingredients such as peptides, enzymes, or ceramides that help rejuvenate the skin and reduce the appearance of wrinkles.
There are many treatments for removing wrinkles above the lips. They include minimally invasive cosmetic treatments, non-invasive facials, buccal massage, and topical skin care.
When using any of these treatments, it is essential to support your skincare efforts with a balanced diet, adequate water intake, and enough sleep.
Cosmetic Procedures for Wrinkles Above the Lips
The following cosmetic procedures are non-surgical and minimally invasive. They are popular because they provide impressive results without any downtime.
Hyaluronic acid-based lip fillers are an excellent solution for wrinkles above the lips. After the injection, the lips look plumper while the lines around them are smoothed out and no longer visible. Dermal fillers are ideal for people whose bodies naturally produce less collagen and elastin due to aging. The results are immediate, and if you are not satisfied with the results, you can always dissolve lip fillers to restore your natural look.
Microneedling is a minimally invasive procedure that stimulates the body’s healing response and boosts collagen and elastin production. The microneedling pen contains hundreds of tiny needles that puncture the skin, leaving micro-injuries. In response, the body starts producing collagen to repair the damage. A novel approach is to combine microneedling with PRP (platelet-rich plasma) or PRF (platelet-rich fibrin) for even faster and more effective results.
Sofwave
Sofwave is a highly effective treatment for smoker’s lines. It utilizes Synchronous Ultrasound Parallel Beam (SUPERB™) technology, an advanced solution that penetrates deeper into the mid-dermis to target the area where wrinkles first begin to form. It stimulates the body’s natural healing response and boosts collagen production for a smoother appearance lasting up to a year.
Lasers target the underlying skin layer with heat to stimulate new collagen production. Laser technology effectively removes skin damage from the sun, aging, and pigmentation issues. The laser photofacial and Halo laser are advanced solutions that target fine lines around the lips, contributing to lasting results.
Radiofrequency Therapy
Radiofrequency therapy utilizes low wavelengths to remove fine lines and inflammation from the skin. Radiofrequency devices emit heat that penetrates deep skin layers to induce collagen and elastin production, reducing sagging and improving elasticity.
Vivace microneedling is an innovative, FDA-approved treatment that utilizes the power of radiofrequency energy in combination with microneedling to stimulate collagen production in the deeper layers of the skin.
Red light therapy is another treatment that harnesses the power of light. The low-wavelength red light targets the skin at the cellular level to boost new growth and enhance rejuvenation. The treatment successfully reduces the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, inflammation, and redness by increasing circulation and promoting collagen and fibroblast synthesis.
Chemical Peels
Chemical peels cause controlled damage to the skin in order to remove the surface layer and reveal new, younger-looking and toned skin. After the treatment, the dead skin gradually sloughs off, revealing fresh, youthful, wrinkle-free skin. Providers recommend specific types of chemical peels depending on wrinkle depth.
Facials
Facials are an effective and highly enjoyable way to pamper yourself and rejuvenate your skin. Facials stimulate circulation and remove dead cells from the skin’s surface, providing better product absorption and deep nourishment. They also include exfoliation to unclog pores and resurface healthy, glowing skin.
Massages improve blood flow in the face, increasing collagen and elastin production. When combined with essential oils, face massages effectively moisturize and nourish the skin, reducing the appearance of wrinkles. Some experts refer to them as a natural facelift.
Vibrant Skin Bar’s Lymphatic Lift treatment is a minimally invasive facial that includes buccal massage and lymphatic drainage to lift, sculpt, remove toxins, and increase circulation. The result is vibrant and deeply nourished skin.
Topical Treatments for Wrinkles Above the Lips
There are various topical solutions that help combat the signs of skin aging, including the appearance of wrinkles above the lips. Vibrant Skin recommends using the following products daily for the best results.
Vibrant Desert Vibe Serum
This rich, moisturizing serum improves hydration and supports the skin barrier, helping protect the thin lip area and smooth fine lines. Desert Vibe contains beta-glucan with powerful humectant properties, stress-relieving wild indigo, and the collagen-enhancing probiotic Lactobacillus ferment, which work synergistically to help maintain youthful skin.
Neuro vibe is a unique blend of twenty-one superfood oils, including hemp seed oil, which exhibits strong neurocosmetic properties. The serum neutralizes skin-aging zombie cells, deeply hydrates the skin, and revitalizes dry, crepey skin around the mouth.
Removing wrinkles above the lips requires a comprehensive approach that considers individual needs and preferences. While various treatments are available, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. It is crucial to consult with a qualified healthcare professional who will assess your specific concerns and recommend the most suitable treatment option.
For removing wrinkles above the lips near the Phoenix area, consult our medical professionals at Vibrant Skin Bar and schedule your treatment.
About the Author:
Kristina Cadwell
PA Kristina Cadwell graduated from Arizona State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. She then completed the Physician Assistant program at A.T. Still University graduating with a Masters of Medical Science degree. Kristina has been working in the Aesthetic Medical field for over 15 years. She is certified in neurotoxin cosmetic injection, dermal fillers, laser therapy, chemical peels, and ultrasound. She is known for producing natural results and has extensive knowledge in nutrition, hormone balancing, microbiome health, diet and exercise. Her latest endeavor is the Vibrant Skincare Line, a microbiome-friendly line of skincare that works with your body. Her passion and the reason she does everything she does? Helping you achieve vibrant skin from the inside out.