Had Enough Of Lip Wrinkles?7 min read
Caroline Hedges
If there is one part of your face that can really age you – it is the lips. As we age, our lips lose their plumpness, downturn at the edges and develop lip wrinkles – the fine lines mostly found on the top lip.
Traditionally referred to as “smoker’s lines,” they aren’t just the fate of a 20-a-day smoker. The more expressive you are with your mouth, the higher the chances of getting those lines. Every time you purse your lips, you are forcing your skin inwards – like a paper fan. As you age, your skin loses its elasticity and can’t bounce back as well as it would previously. All those selfie pouts? Welcome to lip wrinkles in later life. But unless you decide to only talk without moving your lips or never smile or pout again, one thing is certain: lip wrinkles will appear.
So what can be done about them? Here are a few options:
Smother Them In Beauty Creams?
There are many creams and serums on the market designed to reduce the fine lines around the lips. They stimulate the production of collagen which helps plump up the skin around your mouth. These are a great start for younger people but won’t have much effect on lips that have thinned and wrinkled due to age.
Botox Them Gone?
As a muscle relaxer, it can help relax the muscles around the mouth preventing the intense pouting and movement that we do everyday. It is not a technique that Dr Chang would recommend though. Side effects can include drooping of the mouth and dribbling. Not side effects that you would want to live with for months while it wears off.
Dermal Filler them Up
Fillers are one of the most popular treatments for lip wrinkles. It is a solution containing hyaluronic acid, such as Juvederm and Voluma, which is injected just under the skin around the lips and fills them out. Many people also choose to have a lip augmentation at the same time, plumping up the lips to give fullness again. They can last from 4 – 12 months depending on the filler you have.
Laser Skin Resurface Them Away
There are different options depending on your age and severeness of wrinkles. The mildest lasers pierce the skin to encourage healing which leads to tighter, brighter skin. It’s great for moderate wrinkles and leaves your whole face looking fresher and younger. For more deep-set wrinkles, the Micro laser removes a superficial epidermal layer of skin, which is then replaced with a brighter, tighter layer. Having a consultation with an experienced practitioner will give you a chance to talk over which option would work best for what you want to achieve. Depending on what you choose, you may need 7 days to a month for your skin to recover.
Microneedle Them To Oblivion
Also known as collagen induction therapy, microneedling uses fine needles to make micro injuries to the skin. The body then starts self-healing, producing elastin and collagen, which tightens and plumps the skin, reducing the wrinkles on your face. This is a great option for people with light to moderate wrinkles. Be prepared not to see the effects for a couple of months and it will require multiple treatments to be effective.
Platelet-Rich Plasma
Platelets are rich in growth factors which, when rubbed into your skin, can help promote collagen production. When you arrive, your practitioner will take a vial of your blood and create a solution, which isolates the platelets. These are used alongside microneedling. After microneedling creates tiny injuries to your skin, the solution is wiped over your face and absorbed into the injuries. Your face will be red for a while, and you are encouraged to protect it by staying out of the sun and using high factor sunscreen. Celebrities such as Kim Kardashian West are fans of this option. At around $1,000 a time, it is a costly option.
In 2018 there were 594,266 Laser Skin Resurfacing procedures done in the United States and 127,394 Platelet-Rich Plasma facials performed.
Choices, Choices...
The good news is there are lots of options to choose for those pesky lip wrinkles. When choosing a treatment you need to consider cost, time needed to recover, how many treatments will be needed and what you are comfortable with. Your plastic surgeon can walk you through the many options and help you decide which is best for you!
Ready to lose the wrinkles?
If lip wrinkles are causing you distress, we invite you to simply come in for a complimentary consultation with Dr. Chang or one of the cosmetic laser and injection nurses to explore whether you would make a good candidate for many of the above treatments. To find out more whether Aesthetica can help you, contact us online or at 703-729-5553 to arrange an appointment. Dr. Phillip Chang is a board-certified plastic surgeon in Northern Virginia near Leesburg, Virginia and an expert in a wide variety of cosmetic treatments.
Let Us Help You!
Our office can provide you will helpful information, schedule a free consultation, and walk you through the many procedures and services we offer.
Contact Dr. Chang's Office:
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