3 Types Of Mouth Wrinkles

Don’t Let These 3 Types of Mouth Wrinkles Stop You From Smiling

Mouth wrinkles are one of the first signs of aging

This is in part due to the thinness of the skin, and therefore it has less collagen compared to other areas of the face.

As you get older, the collagen and elastin in your skin begin to break down.
These proteins are what keeps your skin looking tight and soft, hence the onslaught of wrinkles as you age.

There is also a decrease in your skin’s natural oils.
These oils keep the upper layer of your epidermis hydrated and give you a supple glow.
As these oils start to diminish, additional moisturizer is needed to prevent lip lines from forming.

Sun damage also plays a big factor in the formation of wrinkles around your mouth.
The harsh UV rays penetrate the skin and damage the DNA of genes that control healthy cell growth.
Increased sun exposure will cause larger and deeper wrinkles, making it more difficult for you to get rid of them.

3 Types of Mouth Wrinkles

Smile lines

Also known as laugh lines, or nasolabial folds, these are the wrinkles that occur along the sides of your mouth.
These folds are accentuated when smiling because the muscles that pull the upper lip up and outward with smiling attach directly to the deep side of the skin of the upper lip.
The cheek has a prominent fat pad and when you smile that fat pad bulges out and the upper lip is drawn underneath.

With aging, however, the nasolabial folds become more prominent at rest, due to a loss of collagen in the deeper layers of the skin as well as loss of skin elasticity.
You can also experience sagging of that cheek fat pad and have a loss of bone density in the mid-face.
All of which contribute to sagging and more obvious nasolabial folds.

Marionette lines

These wrinkles develop vertically from your mouth to your chin, which can create a sagging appearance.

Lipstick lines

Also known as vertical lip lines or smoker’s lines, they are lip wrinkles that develop along your upper lip as well as directly on the lips themselves.

Treatments for smile lines (nasolabial folds)

Hyaluronic acid filler
These offer a lot of flexibility, and they address the volume loss in the mid-face.
Filler mimics the structures that were once present, like that of collagen, thereby minimizing the appearance of nasolabial folds.

Ultherapy
This is another minimally invasive procedure that helps to stimulate collagen production in the deeper layers of the skin and that can smooth out the appearance of nasolabial folds.

Laser resurfacing
This can have a good outcome for nasolabial folds in certain individuals.
Over time the nasolabial folds become more persistent and can develop into a deep crease within the nasolabial fold and this crease can be softened with laser resurfacing.

Micro-needling
This creates micro-channels deep in the skin in the dermis, stimulating collagen production.
Micro-needling has the advantage of tightening and lifting the skin which helps pull up the surrounding structures and minimizes those nasolabial folds.

Fat transfer
This is more of an invasive procedure and involves harvesting fat from another part of your body and placing it in the nasolabial folds.

Treatments for marionette lines

Rhytidectomy
This surgical procedure is meant to counteract the effects of time on the aging face.
Also known as a face-lift, the tissue under the skin is tightened and excess facial skin is removed.
A surgeon might recommend a partial mini facelift, for the treatment of marionette lines only.

Laser resurfacing
Laser skin resurfacing involves the precision removal of skin, layer by layer.
As the skin heals, the new skin cells that form give the skin a tighter, younger-looking surface.
However, laser resurfacing carries the risk of scarring and hyperpigmentation and you are likely to need repeat treatments every few months.

Dermal fillers and Botox
Facial fillers are highly effective at dealing with marionette lines.
They plump out the wrinkles, resulting in a smoother appearance.
Dermal fillers can also be used in your cheeks, replacing the diminishing fat pads, lifting your skin, and, as a result, reducing the appearance of marionette lines.

Botox is also helpful in relaxing the muscles that pull down the corners of your mouth and accentuate the appearance of marionette lines.
Botox can be used in conjunction with dermal fillers to maximize the improvement.

Chemical peels
A chemical solution is applied to the skin to make it peel off, exposing a fresh layer of skin underneath, that will appear smoother and less wrinkled.
The extent of the results depends on the percentage of acid used in the solution and deeper marionette lines require a deep chemical peel, which can remove skin cells both from the epidermis as well as lower layers of the skin.

Micro-needling
This process makes tiny punctures around the marionette lines, which stimulate collagen production.
A derma roller or a micro-needling pen is used to create small holes in the target area of the skin.
Micro-needling may help generate more collagen to essentially fill in these deeper facial wrinkles.
Micro-needling needs repeat treatment to be effective for marionette lines.

Retin-A
Topical creams that contain Retin-A (retinoids) help to promote the production of collagen in the skin.
Extensively using a retinoid cream restores facial skin elasticity, smooths out existing wrinkles, and prevents them from becoming worse.

Hyaluronic acid
Products containing HA have excellent water retaining abilities, thereby increasing volume in the dynamic area around marionette lines, diminishing their appearance and also helping to hydrate the skin.

Treatment for lip lines (smokers lines)

Lip augmentation
This process uses fillers to make the lips appear slightly larger and changes are subtle but effective.

Chemical peel
The chemical peel procedure removes the top layer of the skin, revealing a new, healthier-looking layer.
Chemical peels are especially well suited for the upper lip.

Laser resurfacing
Lasers used for skin resurfacing and rejuvenation can also have the added effect of smoothing the skin as well.
Lasers have the added benefit of tightening the skin and are particularly effective on the skin around the mouth, nose, and eyes.
Laser resurfacing can make you look 10 to 20 years younger and the results last longer than other procedures.

Dermabrasion
Dermabrasion involves using a spinning diamond-tipped device to gradually sand off the outer layers of skin cells.
This generates new skin and fresh collagen is formed thereby creating a smoother appearance.
Standard dermabrasion is usually done under sedation.

Microdermabrasion
This is a minimally invasive procedure that uses an applicator with an abrasive surface to gently strip away the thick outer layer of the skin.
It is used to renew overall skin tone and texture and can help with sun damage, fine lines, and wrinkles.

Micro-needling
This is used for the treatment of lip lines and smoker’s lines due to its ability to stimulate new collagen formation and tightening of the skin.
A derma roller or a micro-needling pen is used to create small holes in the target area of the skin.

Results are seen immediately, and the skin feels and looks tighter.
More importantly, the skin will continue to improve over the 6-8 weeks after each treatment.

Platelet-rich plasma
Also sometimes called the vampire facial, it involves platelet-rich plasma (PRP) used to stimulate skin healing, collagen production, other important proteins that support the skin.
Your platelets are used to prepare a solution that is injected into your face through a micro-needling device.

Botox for lips lines
Both upper and lower lip lines can be effectively treated with precise administration of Botox into the orbicularis muscle to soften the vertical lip lines.

How to minimize the appearance of mouth wrinkles naturally

Wear a high SPF sunscreen
Most of the aging has to do with UV exposure
To prevent this wear a high SPF sunscreen and reapply it consistently.
On its own, it will not take away wrinkles although it will minimize the appearance of the nasolabial folds at least temporarily.

Include a good basic moisturizer
It will help hydrate the skin cells thereby plumping up the skin and smoothing out the appearance of wrinkles.

Use a hyaluronic acid
You can use this underneath your moisturizer.
It is also recommended, to apply it to the skin while it is damp, that way the hyaluronic acid will stick better and help to enhance hydration.

Use a retinol cream
Retinoids are derived from Vitamin A.
They are one of the most studied and celebrated anti-aging ingredients.
This is a fantastic ingredient for boosting collagen production in the deeper layers of the skin and helping to remove some sun damage.

It will however take time before you see results, even after a month or six weeks but with long-term consistent use, you will start to build up more collagen.
When starting off using retinol be conservative with how much you use.

Use a wrinkle-smoothing patch
When applied to the skin it can help in improving the look of wrinkles and fine lines temporarily by drawing moisture into the top layers of the skin.
Hydrating and plumping up the skin cells and ultimately smoothing out wrinkles and fine lines.

Include an essential oil
Certain essential oils may increase firmness and skin cell turnover helping to reduce the appearance of wrinkles.
However, they need to be diluted with a carrier oil, and a patch test should be done on the inside of your elbow, to ensure that you don’t have any allergic reactions.
Apply twice a day with your fingertips to the mouth and lip area but don’t apply directly onto your lips.

Exfoliate Your Lips
To regenerate healthy cells, keep your skin revitalized and flourishing, slowing down the development of lip lines.
Using an exfoliator twice a week will help to make the skin around your mouth area softer and will encourage new cell growth.
It usually takes two to three months for the results to be visible.

Easy DIY sugar scrub
Combine 1 tablespoon coconut oil, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, and 1 tablespoon honey in a bowl and gently rub the mixture on your lips and the skin above your mouth for a few minutes, then wash off with warm water or lick off the scrub to reveal a supple pout.

Choose the right facial wash
Use a gentle cleanser instead of soap as strong soaps can be abrasive on the delicate skin around your lips and wipe away the natural oils in your skin that keep you hydrated.

Adopt healthy habits:

Do not smoke
Avoid using a straw
Drink enough water to stay hydrated
Reduce your caffeine and alcohol intake
Get enough sleep per night (6 -8 hours)
Have a diet rich in antioxidant-rich foods, such as fruits and vegetables
Reduce stress at work and home
Limit your exposure to the sun by avoiding peak hours and wearing sunscreen every day

You may consider trying the following essential oils:

Help to increase cell turnover by using Frankincense
Due to its antioxidant benefits, Lemon Essential oil can be helpful but don’t use it if you go out into the sun.
Lavender Essential oil has anti-oxidative and wound-healing properties.
Sandalwood due to anti-inflammatory effects.
Olive oil is a great lip care product because of its abundance of vitamin E and other nutrients.
Coupled with its anti-inflammatory effects, it is highly effective in treating chapping and cracking.
Coconut oil contains vitamins as well as antioxidants and essential fatty acids.