Unfortunately, we all develop wrinkles as we grow older. Some people develop wrinkles earlier than others though, depending on their lifestyle factors, genetics, facial expressions, and more. Luckily for you, there are countless products and treatments that can help you get rid of lines around mouth. At Silhouette Plastic Surgery Institute, we’re proud to offer many of those skin treatments to help our patients look younger and feel more beautiful. If you’re looking to improve the appearance of your skin, call 949-359-8397 today.
What are Wrinkles Around Mouth?
Lines around the mouth are technically called nasolabial folds. Just like any other wrinkles, nasolabial folds and other facial wrinkles occur gradually during the natural aging process. More specifically, wrinkles around the mouth appear as your skin loses collagen, elastin, and glycosaminoglycans (GAGs). But there are many lifestyle habits that can speed up this aging process too.
Thin skin ages and wrinkles quicker than thicker skin due to a lack of collagen. The skin around the mouth is very thin, so facial wrinkles often appear first around the mouth.
Types of Lines Around Mouth
As you age, you may notice several different types of mouth wrinkles appear. Listed below are the three most common types.
Marionette Lines
Marionette lines are deep lines that extend from the corners of your mouth to your chin. These wrinkles can make it look like the bottom half of your face is sagging even if it isn’t.
Smile Lines
Smile lines are the lines that appear when you smile or laugh. Laugh lines typically extend from the bottom of your nostrils to below your mouth.
Lipstick Lines
Lipstick lines, also known as smokers lines, are small vertical lines that surround the lips. These vertical lip lines appear from years of making circular mouth shapes while applying lipstick, smoking cigarettes, or even drinking from straws.
What Causes Lines Around Mouth?
There are intrinsic and extrinsic factors that lead to wrinkles around the mouth. Intrinsic causes of mouth wrinkles include a gradual drop in collagen production and other skin proteins. In other words, intrinsic causes are the natural skin aging process. Meanwhile, extrinsic causes of wrinkles around the mouth generally refer to lifestyle factors and other outside influences, including:
- Too much sun exposure or UV radiation from tanning beds which breaks down collagen and elastin in the skin
- Frequent dehydration
- Chronic stress
- Long-term nutritional deficiencies
- Genetics
- Smoking which decreases oxygen and blood flow to the skin
- Intense, repetitive facial expressions
How to Get Rid of Lines Around Mouth
There are dozens of aesthetic treatments, diets, skincare products, and even surgical procedures that claim to get rid of or reduce wrinkles. The best treatment or skincare routine for younger-looking skin depends on your aesthetic goals and your skin type. At Silhouette Plastic Surgery Institute, we offer a variety of skin treatments that keep the skin firm, healthy, and young. Below, we list some of our skin treatments and how they can treat wrinkles around the mouth.
Microneedling
Microneedling not only treats perioral wrinkles, but it also treats acne scars, stretch marks, crow’s feet, and general sun damage too. This treatment works by using a tiny needle to prick hundreds of tiny holes in the skin. In response, the skin will create more collagen in order to heal all the tiny wounds. As we all know, collagen is essential to prevent wrinkles. So several microneedling treatments can prevent the development of new lines and deeper wrinkles on the face.
Chemical Peel
A chemical peel is possibly one of the most common treatments to get rid of wrinkles around the mouth. It works by removing the upper layer of skin which reveals smoother, less damaged lower layers of skin. You may have to undergo a few chemical peels in order to see the best results.
Botox
Botox injections are another common treatment to get rid of wrinkles around the mouth. The injections contain botulinum toxin type A which basically relaxes facial muscles, therefore smoothing out the skin and preventing the development of more wrinkles. While Botox is most commonly used for crow’s feet and forehead wrinkles, it can also be used around the mouth and lip area.
Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP)
Platelet rich plasma therapy is similar to Botox in that it’s a series of injections that can rejuvenate the skin. It works by processing the patient’s own blood platelets in a centrifuge and then injecting them into the problem area. Originally, this treatment was created to accelerate the healing process for injured tendons, ligaments, muscles, etc.
PRP is often used in conjunction with microneedling in something called the vampire facial. This facial can treat a variety of skin issues, including wrinkles around the mouth, acne scars, hyperpigmentation, etc. The vampire facial begins with normal microneedling. Then, the patient’s blood is either injected or massaged onto the face. The theory is that the blood accelerates the healing process and decreases swelling and redness.
Laser Skin Resurfacing
Laser skin resurfacing is a more invasive and intense skin treatment. Basically, it works by removing the upper, damaged layers of skin with intense beams of light. As your skin heals, you may experience redness, itching, swelling, and peeling. Also during this healing process, your skin will produce more collagen which will improve the appearance of mouth wrinkles. There are three types of laser skin resurfacing procedures to choose from, including:
- Carbon dioxide (CO2) laser skin resurfacing
- Erbium laser skin resurfacing
- Fractional CO2 resurfacing
Be sure to discuss your aesthetic goals with Dr. Daneshmand and he will recommend the best procedure for you and your skin.
Dermabrasion and Microdermabrasion
Both of these treatments use exfoliation in order to improve the appearance of lines around the mouth. Dermabrasion is more intense because it uses a large brush to remove the top layers of skin. Meanwhile, microdermabrasion is more gentle because it uses tiny crystals to remove the top layers of skin.
Dermal Fillers
Dermal fillers may improve the appearance of deep nasolabial folds, lip lines, and any other facial wrinkles. The filler injections are generally made out of poly-L-lactic acid and hyaluronic acid, both of which can fill out sunken areas of the face. As a result, wrinkles around the mouth are smoothed out.
Facelift
The most invasive option for getting rid of mouth wrinkles, and other facial wrinkles, is a face lift. During this procedure, a surgeon will make an incision around the patient’s hairline and physically pull up the underlying facial muscles and tissues. Once the patient heals completely from a facelift, they will notice less facial sagging and wrinkles. Additionally, they’ll look much younger.
Thread Lift
Another option to promote youthful skin is a thread lift. This procedure is also called the “lunchtime lift” because it’s a less invasive and quicker option compared to a facelift. The two procedures produce similar results, except a facelift is permanent and the results of a thread lift are not. A thread lift works by inserting threads under the face which pull up sagging, wrinkled skin. The threads basically trigger collagen production and dissolve over the course of a few years.
How to Prevent Lines Around Mouth
Aging and wrinkling are a part of life. But there are plenty of prevention methods that can keep your skin healthy, young, and wrinkle-free for as long as possible.
The best way to prevent wrinkles is to take care of yourself. That means: wear sunscreen, quit smoking, eat an antioxidant-rich diet (AKA: lots of fruits and vegetables), drink plenty of water, sleep well, and manage your stress. All of these things are much easier said than done but with dedication, you can get there.
Another way to prevent fine lines in the skin is to avoid tanning beds. Not only can the intense UV light cause rapid wrinkling, but it can also raise your chances of skin cancer. Minimal sun exposure is important for overall health, but too much can certainly accelerate the natural aging process.
If you’re looking to specifically prevent lip lines, consider ditching straws and cigarettes. A lifetime of using both of these items will accelerate the breakdown of collagen and elastin around the lips, therefore causing wrinkles.
Can a Good Skincare Routine Prevent Wrinkles Around the Mouth?
Yes, a good skincare routine can extend your youth and prevent wrinkles. But there are so many “anti-aging” products out there. How do you know which ones are worth the money? According to the Mayo Clinic, skincare products that include vitamin C, retinoids, hydroxy acids, peptides, coenzyme Q10, tea extracts, and more have anti-aging properties.
There is even evidence out there suggesting that diluted essential oils such as lavender, lemon, frankincense, and sandalwood can increase skin cell turnover and prevent wrinkles.
Can Facial Exercises Prevent Wrinkles Around the Mouth?
The answer to this question depends on who you ask. Most doctors and surgeons say no because a lifetime of repetitive facial expressions (such as drinking from a straw or smiling, for example) generally cause wrinkles due to the quicker breakdown of collagen and elastin. However, a 2018 study found that facial exercises, or facial yoga, could improve skin appearance. So we’ll let you decide the answer to that question.
Call Silhouette Plastic Surgery Institute Today
At Silhouette Plastic Surgery Institute, we’re passionate about giving our clients younger-looking skin and more self-confidence through our skin procedures. If your nasolabial folds, crow’s feet, or upper lip lines are major insecurities for you, we can help. Call 949-359-8397 today, and we’ll help you figure out which skin procedure is best for you and your aesthetic goals.