Are You Bothered with Your Upper Lip Wrinkles?

Apart from being thin and delicate, the skin on your upper lip is also subject to everyday movements when talking, eating, or puckering the lips. This makes the area prone to wrinkles, particularly vertical lip lines that can make you look older. These wrinkles can become deeply ingrained over time or if you do nothing about them.

If you too are bothered with your upper lip wrinkles, it is only important to find the right treatment. Here are some tips on minimizing the appearance of those wrinkles, as well as preventing current ones from worsening:

Stop smoking if you do

Smoking causes you to pucker your lips repeatedly, leading to visible upper lip wrinkles later on. The habit can also contradict all the positive effects of the wrinkle treatments you try. Smoking, furthermore, accelerates premature aging and wrinkle creation, as well as increases your risk of serious medical conditions. 

If you smoke, quitting is the best thing you can do for your skin. It can improve your appearance and complexion by improving blood and nutrient flow to your skin. You may also be glad to know that you may see changes in your skin a few days after kicking the habit.

Avoid repeated straw drinking

Although drinking through a straw is not damaging habit, it also causes you to purse your lips repeatedly. This repetitive muscle motion can lead to creases and fine lines, which may turn into deep wrinkles over time. The same is also true for drinking from water bottles, which causes you to make the same face when smoking. 

This is why it is best to drink from a glass or mug whenever you can. You can still drink from a straw or water bottles from time to time (once or twice a week), but don’t do it daily or throughout the day.

Wear sunscreen every day

Too much exposure can speed up the formation of wrinkles. This is because UV rays can accelerate the breakdown of collagen and elastin, as well as damage and even kill skin cells. Sun damage, moreover, can trigger the excess production of melanin, leading to dark spots and darker upper lip.

This makes it important to wear sunscreen daily, applying to all exposed areas. Be sure to choose a broad-spectrum product with an SPF of at least 30. You can also cover your skin with a scarf, hat, or long pants and sleeves.

Exfoliate and moisturize the area

Use a gentle product to exfoliate your skin once or twice a week to remove dead skin cells and reveal a fresher skin. Exfoliation also helps retain moisture, which can be beneficial in preventing new wrinkles from forming and healing current ones.

Don’t forget to moisturize the area daily. Look for a product that is right or designed for facial skin, or moisturizers with ceramides, hyaluronic acid, colloidal oatmeal, shea butter, and coconut oil.

Consider Botulinum Toxin

Botulinum toxin, popularly known as Botox, is a US FDA-cleared injectable for treating dynamic wrinkles or those that are formed due to repetitive facial expressions. It temporarily blocks the signal from a nerve to a muscle to relax and soften the wrinkles. Botox is ideal for reducing the appearance of:

• Forehead lines
• Frown lines or angry 11s
• Crow’s feet or wrinkles in the corner of the eyes
• Smoker’s lines or upper lip wrinkles

The entire procedure takes less than 30 minutes and may involve the use of topical anesthetic cream to improve patient comfort. It will take about two weeks to see the full results, which can last for three to six months or longer with repeated treatments. 

The right dosage and injection technique can help you achieve a natural appearance, while maintaining your facial expressions. Just be sure to look for an experienced injector with a ‘conservative’ approach in administering the treatment.

You can read our previous blog to learn more about this injectable and know the things you need to know before getting Botox in Singapore.

Try Dermal Fillers 

Dermal fillers are safe injectable treatments that can help restore lost volume and skin’s elasticity. They can reverse the signs of aging by reducing the appearance of wrinkles and replacing volume loss in the face.

Here at Cutis Laser Clinics in Singapore, we use fillers made from hyaluronic acid (HA) and calcium, which are both naturally found or present in the body. 

• HA dermal fillers like Juvederm – can be used to improve fine lines, eye bags, and nasolabial folds (lines at the corner of the nose and mouth). These fillers can also fill the lips, add volume in the cheeks, and increase the height of the nose bridge.
• Calcium-based fillers like Radiesse – can plump up the skin and replenish volume loss over time. You can turn to Radiesse to improve facial lines, add volume to the cheeks, and fill the lips and nasolabial folds.

The treatment can take about 30 to 90 minutes, which can depend on the amount of fillers needed. Results can be seen almost immediately and may last between 9 and 18 months, depending on the type of fillers used.

You may also combine dermal fillers with Botox, especially if you have static lines/wrinkles, or those that remain even if you are not moving your face. The combination of these injectable treatments can give you a longer-lasting result that looks natural.

Don’t let upper lip wrinkles betray your age or make you look older. Stop engaging in the habits that contribute to wrinkling and consider injectable treatments. Contact Cutis Laser Clinics today and schedule a consultation with one of our aesthetic doctors to find out if you’re a candidate for Botox and dermal fillers.