Dear Face Time, I am 58 years old. I’m not a smoker, but have lines around my upper lip. Is there any way to help get rid of these? What do you recommend? Thanks! — Lip Service
Dear Lip Service,
Though I’d always associated them with the long-ashed, cigarette-smoking grandma in Sixteen Candles, smoker’s lines — also known as lip lines or, more clinically, perioral wrinkles — are actually a common facet of aging for everyone, not just those who smoked a few too many Parliaments back in the day. They’re caused by several factors, including: genetics, sun exposure, natural loss of collagen and, yes, repetitive facial movement like pursing your lips around a cigarette, or even a straw. (Caveat emptor, Stanley cup drinkers!)
It’s important to know that once these deeper lines develop, they can’t be fully erased. Still, you can prevent newer upper lip wrinkles and reduce the appearance of whatever wizening you have with a consistent at-home skin care strategy and a few pro-recommended in-office treatments.
“Lip lines respond best to a combination of treatments,” says double board-certified New York facial plastic surgeon Dr. Konstantin Vasyukevich. “I typically recommend a small amount of Botox to reduce overuse of the muscle, filler to help prevent the skin from folding in on itself and skin resurfacing, such as laser treatment, to improve the appearance of wrinkles on the skin’s surface.”
For at-home treatments for lip lines, Vasyukevich suggests looking for products with “hyaluronic acid and peptides for hydration, retinol to boost collagen, vitamin C for protection and daily sunscreen to prevent further damage.” Some of the best serums I’ve found for this include Dr. Brenner’s vitamin C serum (an incredibly effective dupe for the far pricier Skinceuticals C E Ferulic), which also contains hyaluronic acid; Timeless’s peptide serum and Differin, a gentle over-the-counter retinoid.
If you want to prevent further wrinkling in the area, Vasyukevich has this advice: “Aside from retraining your facial muscles, the best approach is consistent use of moisturizer and maintaining good skin hydration. This helps prevent thinning of the skin and keeps it soft, which minimizes the appearance of creases.”
Bottom line for a smoother upper lip: Wear sunscreen, ditch the straws and start regularly slathering on some potent, collagen-boosting wrinkle creams.
Beauty editor, podcast host and author Jennifer Romolini will help demystify what it’s like to live with an aging face.
What’s the best makeup for wrinkles? Does retinol work? Ask Jennifer Romolini anything, as the kids say, and she’ll answer with straightforward, expert-backed advice. Submit questions in the comments below, on social @yahoolife or email askfacetime@yahoo.com.
