A normal part of the aging process involves the development of wrinkles and lines on the skin. One area commonly affected is the lips. Years of smiling, eating and just going through life take their toll on your lips and the skin around them, causing wrinkles and lip lines. Even though these lines are normal, you might want to get rid of them through a variety of means.
Internal Causes
Lip lines and wrinkles are caused by several different factors. Genetics play a major role in whether or not you will develop these lines as you age or to what degree you will develop them. Collagen and elastin are the primary skin ingredients that are responsible for suppleness. As you get older, these substances diminish, leaving lines and wrinkles. Illness may also cause the development of these lines prematurely.
External Causes
The development of lip lines and wrinkles may also be caused by external factors. For instance, experiencing too much sun exposure can cause sun damage. This leads to the development of wrinkles. Smoking can also cause wrinkles around the mouth and on the lips becauseit reduces the amount of oxygen delivered to these areas, thus slowing collagen and elastin production. There is also evidence that drinking from a straw over the course of several years can cause the development of these lines.
Non-invasive Treatments
You can treat minor lip lines and wrinkles using non-invasive treatments. In many cases, this involves the use of creams. A daily oil-free moisturizer should help to infuse hydration in your lips and make your wrinkles look less deep and defined. You can also apply an over-the-counter wrinkle cream. Use a collagen-boosting cream that contains retinol or an alpha hydroxy acid. You can typically find a cream or balm made specifically for reducing wrinkles on the lips. For skin around the lips, you can use a topical retinoid available by prescription. This will boost collagen production and help to fill in your lip lines and wrinkles.
Invasive Treatments
More invasive treatments might be necessary to get rid of deeper lip lines and wrinkles. Laser resurfacing is a viable option, according to the Mayo Clinic, because it burns off the top layer of skin or uses heat to stimulate collagen production beneath the skin, depending on the type of laser used.
Dermabrasion is another option, which uses a wire brush to sand off the top layer of skin. Fillers can also help to fill in your lip lines and wrinkles. Common substances are hyaluronic acid and collagen. However, you can also use Botox to plump up lines or to relax the facial muscles and make the lines less noticeable.
Prevention
Preventing lip lines and wrinkles is easier than treating them. To do this, you should avoid direct sun exposure and wear an SPF 15 sunscreen every day. Also wear a SPF 15 lip balm to protect your lips. Moisturize your skin regularly and avoid smoking. This should help you avoid the deeper of lip lines.
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