Do you also have wrinkles around your lips? (Lip Lines) Let's talk about this!

When you look in the mirror, have you ever noticed that there are small lines or wrinkles on your lips? Sometimes, these lines are even more noticeable when you apply lipstick, right? These are what we call 'Lip Lines' or lip wrinkles. This is actually something that bothers many people, especially women, and makes them feel a little sad when they think about their appearance. So, let's find out more about this today.

What are lip lines? How do they form?

Simply put, lip lines are the vertical lines that run from your lips and upper lip to the tip of your nose. These lines can sometimes be very subtle, barely noticeable lines. For others, they can be deeper, more noticeable lines. Now you may be wondering if there are other names for these lines. Yes, there are. Some people call them "smoker's lines," because they are more common in smokers. Others call them "lipstick lines," because when you apply lipstick, the lines appear to be more prominent. Doctors call them "perioral rhytides" or "perioral wrinkles ." "Peri" means "around" and "oral" means "mouth." So you get the idea, right? It means wrinkles around the mouth.

Remember, these lip lines are the lines that form on either side of the mouth when you smile, not to be confused with "smile lines" (or "nasolabial folds")? Those lines start on either side of the nose and end at the corners of the mouth. Also, the lines that run from the corners of the mouth to the chin ("marionette lines") are different from these.

Why do we get these lip wrinkles? At what age do they usually start?

In most cases, the main reason for these lip wrinkles is aging . It's a natural thing. The muscles around our mouth become a little more active over time, and these wrinkles are also caused by changes in the skin. Usually, these lip wrinkles start to appear after the age of 40. However, if you are a smoker, or if your skin is sunburned and damaged, these wrinkles can appear even earlier. How exactly do these lip wrinkles look? They look like vertical lines on the skin on both your lips and above your upper lip, that is, from top to bottom. When you apply something like lipstick, these wrinkles become even more pronounced.

What are the main causes of lip wrinkles?

We all get some lip wrinkles as we age. The main reason for this is the loss of collagen and elastin in our skin.These two types of proteins decrease with time. Collagen and elastin are two of the most important things that keep our skin youthful, firm, flexible, and moisturized. As we age, their production decreases, and like a rubber band that gets old, the skin loses its elasticity and wrinkles begin to form. In addition to this main reason, there are several other reasons that can contribute to the appearance of lip wrinkles:

• Excessive drinking : Too much of anything is never good.
• Genetic influences: If your mother, father, or grandparents have pronounced lip wrinkles, you are more likely to get them too.
• Insufficient sleep: Not getting enough sleep affects the entire body, including the skin.
• Certain facial expressions: For example, pursing your lips or sucking on a straw can cause wrinkles to form due to the muscle activity. For example, if you always use a straw to drink coffee, or if you have a habit of pursing your lips when you are thinking...
• Smoking : This is one of the biggest enemies of lip wrinkles. Smoking dries out the skin, destroys collagen, and also causes the lips to curl when you inhale, which makes wrinkles appear faster.
• Sun damage to the skin: In a country like ours, the sun is harsh. Unprotected exposure to the sun can cause premature aging and wrinkles.

How do doctors determine the nature of these lip wrinkles?

If you go to see a plastic surgeon about this, he or she may use a special rating scale to determine the severity of your lip wrinkles, that is, how widespread and deep they are. For example:

• Mild: Subtle, shallow wrinkles.
• Moderate: Slightly deep, clearly visible wrinkles.
• Severe: Very deep, thick wrinkles.

What are the best treatments for lip wrinkles?

It's hard to give a single answer to this. The best treatment varies from person to person. Your doctor will consider these factors to choose the treatment that's right for you:

• The intensity of your lip wrinkles.
• Whether you want other cosmetic changes (e.g. getting fuller lips).
• Your current health status.
• What are your hopes?

Is it possible to completely eliminate lip wrinkles?

To be honest, lip wrinkles cannot be permanently eliminated. However, some treatments can reduce these wrinkles and improve their appearance for a while .

Non-surgical treatments:

No incisions are made during these treatments.

• Botulinum toxin ( Botox ®) injections: This temporarily relaxes the muscles around the mouth, making wrinkles less visible.
• Chemical peels: A special chemical solution is applied to the top layer of the skin, removing the old layer of skin and revealing new, smoother skin.
• Dermabrasion: A rapidly rotating device is used to scrape away the top layer of skin.
• Laser skin resurfacing: Laser rays are used to remove the top layer of skin and stimulate collagen production.
• Lip fillers: Substances like hyaluronic acid are injected into areas where there are wrinkles to fill them in and give the lips a fuller look.
• Microneedling: (also called collagen induction therapy) uses a device with many fine needles to create tiny punctures in the skin. This stimulates the production of collagen and elastin, which helps to renew the skin. It is sometimes combined with radiofrequency.
• Platelet-rich plasma (PRP): Platelet cells extracted from your own blood are injected back into the skin. This also results in skin renewal and collagen production.

Surgical treatments:

Some surgeries can also improve the appearance of lip wrinkles.

• Fat transfer injections: Fat taken from another part of your own body is purified and injected into the areas around the lips where there are wrinkles.
• Lip implants : A surgery to permanently plump and youthfully enhance the lips.

These surgeries can help with wrinkles above the lips to some extent. However, they may not be as effective in reducing wrinkles above the lips and on the sides of the nose.

Are there ways to prevent lip wrinkles?

In fact, it is impossible to completely prevent lip wrinkles. Because no one can stop aging. However, there are things we can do to delay the appearance of these wrinkles, reduce their intensity if they do appear, and preserve the youthfulness of our skin .

Changes in diet:

• Reduce caffeine consumption: Reduce your intake of things like tea and coffee.
• Eat nutritious foods: avocado, berries (like strawberries, blueberries), broccoli, spinach, etc., rich in vitamins and antioxidants .Add antioxidant-rich foods to your diet.
• Limit alcohol consumption .
• Drink plenty of water: Drink at least 2-3 liters of water a day. It is very important to keep your skin hydrated.

Lifestyle changes:

• Apply sunscreen with an SPF of 30 (Sun Protection Factor 30) or higher to your face every day when you go out in the sun . Use a lip balm with SPF on your lips as well.
• Use an antioxidant like topical vitamin C daily. This also helps the skin produce collagen.
• Follow good skin care habits: wash your face with a gentle cleanser and apply a moisturizer.
• Get enough sleep: A good night's sleep of 7-8 hours a day is essential.
• If you smoke, you should stop. This is the biggest help you can do for your skin.
• Manage stress: Relax your mind with things like yoga and meditation.

What happens if I have lip wrinkles? How long do these last?

If you don't treat these lip wrinkles and protect them from the sun, they can become deeper and more visible over time. Lip wrinkles are a permanent thing. However, if you resort to cosmetic treatments, they can be reduced or temporarily eliminated. For example, the results of a Botox® treatment can last for about 6 months. Lip fillers can last for about a year. The results of surgical procedures such as fat transfer and lip implants can last longer. However, even these cannot be expected to eliminate all wrinkles. To find out exactly what treatment is right for you and what results you will get, it is best to talk to an experienced plastic surgeon.

What are the important questions to ask a doctor about lip wrinkles?

If you are also concerned about lip wrinkles, see a plastic surgeon and ask about these things:

• What is the condition of my lip wrinkles? (i.e., mild, moderate, or severe?)
• What are the best treatments for my lip wrinkles?
• What are the advantages and disadvantages of each treatment? Are there any risks?
• How often will I have to have this treatment?
• What are some good creams I can use to reduce the appearance of my lip wrinkles?

Lip lines are vertical lines that appear on and around the lips with age, sometimes subtle, sometimes deep. These can increase over time. However, with healthy habits and appropriate cosmetic treatments, these wrinkles can be reduced and you can look younger. To choose the treatment that suits you best, talk to an experienced plastic surgeon.

## Finally, things to remember

Okay, so we've talked a lot about lip lines today, haven't we? The important thing is to understand that this is a normal part of aging for many people. Don't overthink it and feel bad about it. However, if you're concerned about these lines, there are many safe and effective treatments available today to reduce them and improve your appearance. The best thing to do is to talk to an experienced, qualified plastic surgeon about this and choose the solution that's right for you. Also, by continuing to follow the preventive measures we've discussed, such as drinking plenty of water, eating a nutritious diet, protecting yourself from the sun, and avoiding smoking, you can help delay the onset of lip lines and reduce their appearance if they do appear. Your skin is precious to you, so take good care of it!