Smoking tobacco can cause cosmetic damage. Common facial effects of smoking are an unattractive sallow skin, the increased occurrence of wrinkles around the eyes, and deep lines etched in and above the lips. Because a man's skin is 20 percent thicker than a woman's, and produces more collagen and elastin, male smokers are generally not as affected by these lines, but they are usually always present on the faces of long-term female smokers. Solutions are available to diminish the appearance of lip wrinkles caused by smoking.
Step 1
Place three fingers of either hand above your upper lip. Apply some pressure, and use the lip muscle to curl your upper lip outwards and away from your teeth. Relax and repeat 20 times. According to Louise Annette, author of the "Ageless if We Dare" facial exercise program, this exercise will strengthen the orbicularis oris muscle, which will create firmness in the upper lip. The exercise should be performed every other day.
Step 2
Pout your lips. Do not purse your lips or clench your teeth. Place an index finger on the center of your top lip and tap gently. Imagine you are trying you crush a pencil between your lips, which is placed just below where your index finger is tapping. Perform the exercise for one minute. This exercise was developed by Carole Maggio, as part of her "Facercise" program. Maggio says the exercise will enlarge the lips and smooth out lines above the upper lip.
Step 3
Apply a moisturizer developed specifically for the face. This will plump up fine lines, and make them less noticeable. Apply several times a day to the upper-lip area. It is difficult for wrinkles to form on well-hydrated, soft, pliable skin.
Step 4
Repair your skin while you sleep. Before going to bed, wash your face gently, and apply a retinol-based skin product to the entire face, concentrating on the upper-lip area. Follow this with a further application of your facial moisturizer. The moisturizer will seal in water, while the retinol helps to stimulate the skin to produce collagen.
Tips and Warnings
- Stop smoking. When you stop, you will notice a significant improvement to the appearance of wrinkles, and also your skin will lose its gray pallor and regain a healthy tone.( Include plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet. These are full of antioxidants that will help fight the free radicals caused by smoking that accelerate skin damage.
Things You'll Need
- Moisturizer
- Retinol based skin cream
References
- Skincare: Male and Female Skin
- Skin Care Physicians: Wrinkles
- "Ageless if You Dare"; Louise Annette; 2009
- "Carole Maggio Facercise"; Carole Maggio; 2002
- Life Extension: Skin Aging
