Lip wrinkles: Causes and Prevention steps

Lips are a very important aspect of our face. It is important to have wrinkle free, fuller lips to look younger. We concentrate so much on our face as far as aging is concerned that we tend to forget about our lips. But it is important to have a good lip care routine to look younger.

First of all know that lip wrinkles are not normal and they are not permanent. Secondly you will start to see wrinkles on your lips by 40 years of age.

What are lip wrinkles?

They are the vertical lines formed on the lips of older adults. They can't be hidden with lipstick as they will look more deeper. They are formed on both the lips and above the skin of the upper lip.

What causes lip wrinkles?

Lip wrinkles are a part of natural aging process. Collagen and elastin are two proteins that provide strength to the skin. They are responsible to prevent saggy skin and wrinkles. As we age the production of collagen decreases which results in the formation of fine lines and lip wrinkles. In fact researchers say that the production of collagen drops by 1 to 2 percent when you enter your twenties. But the effect of this drop is usually seen when a person enters their forties or fifties.

Then there are other reasons that contribute to lip wrinkles. The most important reason is the exposure to the suns UV rays. These harmful rays are cancer causing. They generate free radicals in the lips. These free radicals damage the collagen in the skin which contributes to wrinkle formation.

Then there is this habit of smoking that some people have. This habit excessively stimulates the muscles in the region, leading to permanent damage, which can be seen even with a relaxed face. In addition to this smoking also creates skin damaging free radicals in our skin.

Other factors that contribute to lip wrinkles are unbalanced diet, stress and pollution. Dehydration is another reason that causes lip wrinkles.

Lip wrinkles can also occur if you drink using a straw as you have to continuously purse your lips while doing so.

Now since we know the causes of lip wrinkles, we need to find the solution for this problem. You can’t avoid aging, but you can surely change your other habits to have fuller, wrinkle free lips.

If you want to read more about upper lip wrinkles then click here

How to prevent lip wrinkles?

Use a SPF lip balm

As mentioned above exposure to suns UV rays is one of the preventable causes of lip wrinkles. You can get rid of this issue by using a lip balm which has a SPF of above 30. This will protect you lips from the harmful UV rays of the sun which create free radicals in your lips. Another option for you is to wear a nice hat which can protect you from the rays of the sun.

One other thing that you can do is to not move out in the open during the afternoons. 90 percent of the suns UV rays are released during 12 pm to 3 pm. So if possible try to stay indoors during this time.

Keep your lips hydrated

We have always mentioned in our blog the importance of hydration to prevent wrinkle formation. When you skin is dehydrated it loses moisture and becomes dry. Dry skin is more likely to develop fine lines. This applies to your lips also. So it is important to keep your lips hydrated.

You can do this by drinking at least 8 glasses of water a day. This will provide moisture to your lips. You can also go for foods which are high in water content like water melon and cucumbers. You also try other fluids like juices and green tea. The point is to keep your lips hydrated and fuller.

Quit smoking

If you are smoker then you are more likely to develop lip lines. As mentioned above smoking is a preventable cause of lip wrinkles. The mere act of smoking makes you to purse your lips which causes lip wrinkles. Also as mentioned above the skin aging free radicals are formed in your body when you smoke.

You need to quit smoking if you want to have fuller lips. You can set a specific day for quitting. Also you will need to avoid the smell of cigarettes. Try to get rid of any cigarette packs or ash trays that you have in your house. You can also opt for nicotine replacement chewing gum. Read our blogpost if you want to know about the harmful effects of smoking on your skin.

Exfoliate your lips

Exfoliating your lips will help you to get rid of dry flaky skin on your lips. This will restore shine on your lips and make them look fuller. Dry skin also highlights the wrinkles on the lips. Therefore it is important to exfoliate your lips. Now you have to be careful to not overdo it. You have to exfoliate only once a week. Also you have to be careful and don’t scrub to hard or use harsh ingredients.

You can exfoliate you lips with your favorite lip balm and cotton swab. Dip the cotton swab in the lip balm and gently massage your lips. Then wash your lips. This will remove the dead dry skin from your lips.

Eat a diet rich in collagen and antioxidants

As mentioned above collagen production reduces as you age. Also free radicals damage the collagen in the skin. Therefore it is important to eat foods rich in collagen to prevent lip wrinkles. Collagen is a protein therefore you must eat foods rich in protein. Egg white and chicken are an excellent source of collagen.

Free radicals harm the collagen in your skin. Therefore it is important to get rid of them. You can do this by consuming food that are high in antioxidants. These antioxidants neutralize free radicals in our skin and prevent damage to collagen. Blueberries, strawberries, oranges, broccoli and tomatoes are all rich in antioxidants.

Also you need to eat foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids which help you to preserve moisture in your skin. You can eat of fish like salmon or fruit like avocado.

Treatment for lip wrinkles

The first treatment that you can go for is lip creams that stimulate the production of collagen. This is good only if the wrinkles are not deep.

For deeper wrinkles you can try Lip filler injections. In this procedure hyaluronic acid, silicone or hydrogel is injected into your lips. This helps to get rid of wrinkles. They can be permanent or temporary. The procedure will need to be repeated every 8 to 12 months in case of temporary ones. They are safe and there is very less pain only when the anaesthesia is applied.

Nerve toxin or Botox injections is also an option. These injections reduce activities of the muscles around your lips. This prevents wrinkle formation around your lips. Botox can't be used as a solution for lip wrinkles. A topical numbing agent is applied around your lips and tiny amounts of botulium toxin is injected in the affected area. Do not rub the area for 24 hours. .

A permanent solution to lip wrinkles is using lip implants. They are safe. Syntheic implants made from silicone are implanted in your lips. This is done at a doctors clinic by making incisions at the corners of your mouth. The implants are then inserted. The procedure lasts for 30 minutes. Recovery takes place in a couple of days.

Finally you can go for laser treatment which stimulates the production of collagen. The laser also peels of the dead skin cells to promote healthy lips skin growth.

Lip wrinkles home remedies

FAQs about lip wrinkles

Here we have answered a few questions about lip wrinkles which we have received from our readers.

Will lip fillers cause wrinkles?

No. On the contrary lip fillers are used as a treatment for lip wrinkles.

Will lip wrinkles go away?

There are many treatment options that can help you to get rid of lip wrinkles. As mentioned above there are creams that stimulate collagen production in our lips. There is hyaluronic acid based fillers. You can go for botox and laser treatment as well.

What age do you get lip wrinkles?

Normal age for any wrinkles to appear is mid-thirties. If you have wrinkles any time before that then you have premature wrinkles. You will need to use an SPF lip balm when you move out of the house.

Can botox help lip wrinkles?

Yes botox is one of the treatment options used for treating lip wrinkles.

Are lip wrinkles normal?

Lip wrinkles are normal once you enter your thirties.

In conclusion

There are many homemade remedies that can be used to treat lip wrinkles. Also there are many treatment options available for lip lines. What we have provided is a general are the causes and steps that you can take to prevent lip lines.