Every day, our faces are exposed to lots of factors leading to the appearance of wrinkles. It is especially true for perioral wrinkles, which can start to trouble many people as they age. While it's impossible to prevent their appearance fully, there are many ways to reduce or prevent wrinkles from forming. These methods primarily focus on maintaining healthy skin, as it’s much easier to preserve skin health than to remove or reduce deep wrinkles once they have developed.
In this article, we will explore which procedures you can do at home and which ones you may want to consult a dermatologist for. We will also look into how each method works to maintain youthful skin and discover why wrinkles around the mouth form.
What Are Wrinkles Around the Mouth?
Pursed lip wrinkles, also known as perioral lines, are folds and lines that form above the upper lip and around the mouth. The causes of these wrinkles are the same as those of other facial folds: aging, facial expressions, and UV exposure. There are also a few "behavioral" factors that contribute to them: smoking, drinking through a straw, and many other habits. In youth, these factors seem insignificant, since the skin is elastic and facial wrinkles smooth out easily. However, over time, the impact of these negative factors becomes more noticeable - this is the main danger, as the visual changes are not immediately visible.
Causes of Wrinkles Around the Mouth
The most common cause of perioral lines is skin aging. As we get older, collagen production decreases. Stress, bad habits, and active facial expressions exacerbate the situation. Over time, the structure of the skin layers deteriorates, and the skin loses its elasticity. Visually, this results in the appearance of initially superficial, and later deeper, more noticeable wrinkles.
Photoaging is an additional negative factor. Without year-round SPF protection, skin is exposed to ultraviolet rays, which causes wrinkles to appear much earlier. SPF protection should be applied not only on sunny days in summer, but also on overcast days and in winter.
How to Get Rid of Wrinkles Around the Mouth Naturally
When the first signs of aging appear, and wrinkles are still superficial, regular home care, a balanced, healthy diet, and avoiding harmful habits can serve as excellent preventive measures.
Proper Skincare Routine
To reduce wrinkles around the mouth naturally and prevent the formation of new ones, a daily skincare routine should include:
- Using SPF protection to prevent early photoaging.
- Applying products containing hyaluronic acid for skin hydration.
- Adding retinol creams to the daily routine to stimulate regeneration processes if needed.
Dry skin is one of the main reasons why wrinkles above the upper lip appear. Therefore, you should also include products for intensive nourishment, especially if you notice dryness, not just surface wrinkles. Look for options that contain nourishing and hydrating ingredients, such as in Emollient Rich Cream and other quality products from different brands. However, it’s important to consider your skin type and current condition when selecting products, so it’s best to consult with a specialist.
Massage and Exercises
Self-massage and facial exercises can positively influence blood circulation and the tone of facial muscles. Massages should ideally be done with oils to minimize the risk of microtrauma to the skin.
Home Devices for Wrinkle Reduction
To visibly smooth out wrinkles around the mouth and improve the skin’s condition and appearance, gentle at-home skin care devices can be used. For example, Clione Fit is a compact device that is easy to use at home and delivers painless treatments.
The manufacturer positions this device as a supplementary method for maintaining skin aesthetics and as part of a comprehensive skincare routine. According to the manufacturer, the device works using several technologies:
- EMS (electrical muscle stimulation)
- RF (radiofrequency lifting)
- MFIP and UPE
- LED therapy
Why is this a good option for removing wrinkles around the mouth without injections? Because even an untrained person can easily use the device by following the manufacturer’s instructions. It has three intensity levels and several modes.
How to Treat Pursed Lip Wrinkles with Professional Methods
Sometimes, achieving the perfect result and visually smoothing out wrinkles is not possible with home care alone. In such cases, you may consider professional treatments to reduce pursed-lip wrinkles. It requires a consultation with a dermatologist or cosmetic surgeon. Based on your individual needs, a specialist will recommend the best procedure or combination of treatments.
Injectable Treatments
Injectable treatments are minimally invasive procedures designed to smooth wrinkles and relax facial muscles, especially around the mouth. Highly qualified specialists must carry out these procedures. A preliminary consultation is required to assess your skin condition.
Botox
Botox is commonly used to treat pursed-lip wrinkles, especially in patients with active facial expressions, which are the primary cause of these wrinkles. The procedure helps relax the muscles, making the wrinkles less visible. The principle of action is that botulinum toxin temporarily reduces muscle activity, thereby making wrinkles appear less pronounced. Botox for lip creases, just as for forehead wrinkles, typically receives positive feedback, but the procedure's effectiveness largely depends on the specialist.
Dermal Fillers (Hyaluronic Acid)
Filler treatment for pursed lip wrinkles, particularly with hyaluronic acid, aims to smooth out the wrinkles and hydrate the skin. The filler fills the folds from within, making the skin's surface visually smoother.
Hyaluronic acid can also retain moisture, improving the skin's appearance. Using techniques such as "blushing" or micro-linear injection, dermatologists achieve the most natural, aesthetic results without heavy or exaggerated effects. When using fillers without Botox, natural facial expressions are preserved, and the smoothing effect can last up to 12 months, but the final result depends on individual skin characteristics.
Biorevitalization, Mesotherapy, and Bioreparation
While fillers aim to fill the facial wrinkles, these injections have another goal. They can help to support hydration, improve elasticity, and assist skin regeneration. They have some differences. For instance, professionals perform biorevitalization using pure hyaluronic acid. When you want a bioreparation, this procedure mixes hyaluronic acid with other active ingredients. Meanwhile, mesotherapy relies on customized blends of amino acids, antioxidants, and vitamins.
Hardware Treatments
Hardware cosmetology focuses not just on smoothing wrinkles but also on improving overall skin quality. In some cases, it can help reduce pursed-lip wrinkles without injections, especially when they are superficial and not too deep.
Laser Resurfacing
Depending on the type of laser, the treatment may affect different layers of the skin. This procedure requires a recovery period, after which clients report that their wrinkles become less deep and less noticeable. This method can also improve skin texture.
RF Lifting
RF lifting uses radiofrequency to heat deep layers of the skin. This procedure can positively impact collagen production, and collagen increases skin firmness and density. As a result, the visible signs of aging become less pronounced.
How to Prevent Pursed Lip Wrinkles
The best way to combat pursed-lip wrinkles is to prevent them. With regular hydration, SPF usage, avoiding bad habits, and a balanced diet, your skin will remain youthful, healthy, and glowing for a long time. This way, you won’t need to worry about getting rid of wrinkles on your face for quite some time.
Conclusion: What Helps with Pursed Lip Wrinkles?
The appearance of perioral wrinkles around the mouth is a natural process. With a healthy lifestyle and modern skincare methods, both at home and professionally, this process can be slowed down. The best results have people who practice a comprehensive approach that combines several methods for regular use.
This material serves for informational purposes only. It doesn’t replace a consultation with a specialist. Before using any products or devices, always consult with a dermatologist or cosmetologist.
FAQ
At What Age Do Pursed Lip Wrinkles Appear?
Wrinkles above the upper lip and around the mouth can become noticeable after the age of 30 when skin loses its natural elasticity. Active facial expressions and smoking are the primary factors that cause these characteristic folds to appear earlier.
How to Get Rid of Smile Wrinkles Around the Mouth?
This can be done with both professional cosmetic procedures and home care. A combined approach is optimal.
Can You Remove Pursed Lip Wrinkles Without Injections?
If the wrinkles above the upper lip have just begun to form and are still not very deep, regular home care, massage, and hardware methods can help maintain healthy skin. However, when the folds are already deep, non-invasive treatments may not be as effective.
What Is Better: Botox or Fillers?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer. It always depends on the exact situation, so professional consultation is necessary. Botox relaxes muscles, while fillers fill in the folds. Sometimes, a dermatologist may recommend combining these options.
