Updated May 31, 2024
The Different Kinds of Mouth Wrinkles
According to SkinStore.com, there are three different kinds of lines around the mouth: smile lines, marionette lines, and vertical lip lines, also known as smoker's lines.
Smile Lines
Smile Lines run from the bottom corners of the nose to each corner of your mouth. They are nasolabial folds that extend from the sides of your nose to the corners of your mouth and are caused by the loosening of ligaments, causing the skin to sag slightly. While everyone has nasolabial folds, they become more visible as you age. They become more prominent as your skin loses collagen.
Marionette Lines
These lines appear in the corners of the mouth. They often develop due to the breakdown of collagen production, causing the skin to sag and fold around the mouth. The name comes from marionette string puppets with pronounced vertical lines in the same area.
Vertical Lip Lines
Vertical lip lines are also known as ‘smoker’s lines.’ These lines are the most common mouth wrinkles, usually in the lower and upper lip areas. They run from the lips to just below the nose and are caused mainly by regular lip movements. Lip lines typically begin to develop in your 40s. They add years to your looks and also make the lips appear thinner. Smoking can also exacerbate vertical lip lines. Smoking breaks down collagen and dries the skin, leading to deeper wrinkles and leaving lips pinched and puckered.
What Causes Mouth Wrinkles?
One of the first areas of the face to develop skin wrinkles is around the mouth. The skin's thinness here plays into it, as it has less collagen than other areas of the face. Every year after age 20, your skin produces about 1% less collagen. Loss of elastin and glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), which contribute to elasticity and hydration, are intrinsic or natural aging process factors that play a part in wrinkles.
Extrinsic factors can increase your risk of developing wrinkles prematurely around the mouth. These include:
- Genetics
- Dehydration
- Dehydration
- Poor nutrition
- Smoking
- Stress
- Sun exposure
How To Reduce Wrinkles Around The Mouth
Fortunately, you can take steps on your own to prevent mouth wrinkles. Consider these tricks to prevent fine lines and lip wrinkles.
- Home Remedies: Some diluted essential oils may increase firmness and skin cell turnover. Before trying this, perform a patch test on the inside of your elbow a few days beforehand to ensure you aren't allergic to the oil. Grape seed extract has natural antioxidant properties and can help restore elasticity to your wrinkled skin. Massage the grape seed extract into your deep wrinkles daily to keep your skin looking young. Other treatments include using frankincense, lemon, lavender, and sandalwood. Some plant oils used for cooking may potentially work as spot treatments and provide moisture. Research indicates that plant oils contain essential fatty acids that may promote firmness and elasticity while combatting sun-damaged skin. Consider trying castor oil and oils derived from coconuts, grapeseed, olives and sunflowers.
- Exercises: One of the most affordable ways to get rid of deep wrinkles around your mouth is to perform face-tightening exercises. The Genius Beauty website recommends standing in front of the mirror and performing facial exercises for 15 minutes every day to reduce the appearance of deep lines around the mouth.
- Lifestyle Changes: Certain lifestyle habits contribute to lines and wrinkles. Stop smoking to prevent deep wrinkles from forming or getting worse. Sun exposure can also lead to aging skin and premature wrinkles around your mouth. Wearing sunscreen whenever you are in the sun is essential. Getting sufficient sleep and sleeping on your back can also help prevent wrinkles. Embody healthy habits like drinking plenty of water and eating well can help you keep a youthful appearance.
Cosmetic Treatments for Wrinkles Around the Mouth
Home remedies may help somewhat with fine lines, but if you have deeper wrinkles around the mouth, a cosmetic surgeon may recommend various treatment options to address skin elasticity and other issues that allow you to develop wrinkles. Botox works by relaxing facial muscles that create a tight, wrinkled appearance from repetitive movements. It can benefit lines in the upper lip and improve the appearance of marionette lines.
Depending on your aesthetic goals, treatments that may also work for lip wrinkles include:
- Dermal fillers and lip fillers
- Collagen induction therapy
- Laser resurfacing
- Dermabrasion and microdermabrasion
- Microneedling and platelet-rich plasma (PRP)
- Facelift surgery
Learn More About Lip Area Wrinkle Treatments
VIVAA's Seattle area medical spa locations provide a variety of safe treatments for sagging skin, laugh lines and wrinkles around the mouth. Contact us today for a no-obligation consultation about options that will reveal smoother facial skin.
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Author - Dr. Ramandeep Sidhu
SPECIALTIES: Percutaneous aneurysm repair, endovascular treatment of peripheral arterial disease, treatment for varicose veins, open vascular surgical procedures, deep vein thrombosis/pulmonary embolism treatment and aesthetic services.