Fine lines and wrinkles are commonly associated with aging and are a natural process that everyone goes through. You shouldn’t worry about aging; every age is beautiful in its own way. 

But it’s when you start developing these lines and wrinkles that it becomes quite an annoyance. Premature wrinkling of the skin is a common problem that most women face today, probably because of lifestyle changes or environmental changes. 

Whatever the reason might be, knowing how to curb this problem is essential.

Lip wrinkles are all the more common because the skin around your lips is relatively thinner and has a little less collagen than other parts of your face. 

Though often called smoker’s lines or lipstick lines, these lip wrinkles are not necessarily caused by smoking or wearing lipstick.

Table of Contents: 

• What causes upper lip wrinkles?
• Aging
• Smoking
• Exposure to UV radiation
• Are lip wrinkles the same as laugh lines or smile lines?
• How can I get rid of wrinkles above my lips?
• Maintain a healthy diet
• Use sunscreen daily
• Quit smoking
• Change your makeup routine
• Skincare to prevent lip wrinkles
• Exfoliate
• Nourish
• Moisturize

What causes upper lip wrinkles?

Aging

The most common cause of any kind of wrinkles or fine lines is undoubtedly aging. As we age, the collagen and elastin in our skin begin to dwindle. These are proteins that make our skin firm and elastic. 

As these proteins are not replenished at the same rate after a certain age, skin loses its stretchability and cannot spring back as easily when folded.

As a result, the creases that appear when we move our facial muscles tend to stay and get deeper with time.

But apart from age, numerous other factors may be causing those vertical lines that run from your upper lip towards the base of your nose.

Smoking

Lip wrinkles are called smoker’s lines for a reason. Though not everyone who has lip wrinkles may be a smoker, the condition is more common in people who do smoke. 

Smoking breaks down the collagen in your skin and reduces the amount of antioxidants in your body. This accelerates the aging process of the skin.

Also, the action of smoking itself requires you to pout, often resulting in frequent folding and creasing of the skin on the lips. Avid smokers, therefore, are at a greater risk of developing lip wrinkles.

Exposure to UV radiation

Sun exposure is another common cause of premature skin aging. Excessive exposure to UV rays from the sun without sun protection can damage your skin cells and reduce their ability to regenerate collagen.

The skin on your lips, being thinner, is more prone to damage from UV exposure.

Are lip wrinkles the same as laugh lines or smile lines?

People tend to easily confuse lip wrinkles with laugh lines that appear on the sides of the mouth. Laugh lines or smile lines are different from lip wrinkles, though. 

Laugh lines appear on the sides of your mouth, running from the sides of your nose towards the corners of your mouth. These creases appear when you laugh or smile and deepen as your skin loses elasticity.

How can I get rid of wrinkles above my lips?

Once they begin to appear, getting rid of wrinkles entirely is not possible. Certain cosmetic treatments like laser treatment, dermal fillers, etc., may cause a temporary reduction of fine lines and wrinkles. 

But the effect of such treatments only lasts for a while, after which you may have to go through the procedure again.

The best solution is to prevent lip wrinkles in the first place by making simple changes to your lifestyle and skincare routine. 

Some home remedies may also help you fade those wrinkles if not eliminate them completely.

Here are a few things you can do.

Maintain a healthy diet

All skin problems need to be addressed from the inside first. A healthy diet is at the core of healthy skin and care. Food rich in antioxidants, like berries, tomatoes, carrots, spinach, can help fight signs of aging. Antioxidants have the capacity to break down free radicals that destroy collagen and elastin in your skin.

Make sure to include plenty of fruits and vegetables in your diet. Avoid foods that contain added sugar. Sugar also contributes to the skin aging process.

Use sunscreen daily

UV radiation is the worst enemy of your otherwise healthy skin. People who do not use sun protection are found to have noticeably older-looking skin than those who dedicatedly use sunscreen. 

No matter whether it is sunny, raining or snowing outside, make sure to apply sunscreen on your face and neck every time you step out.

It is also best to carry your sunscreen lotion with you and re-apply every 3 to 4 hours, as the effect of the sunscreen does not last longer than that.

Quit smoking

If you haven’t given up your cigarettes yet, you can’t be complaining about what is literally called smoking lines. 

Apart from the lip movements involved in smoking that cause lip wrinkles; nicotine itself is a major contributor to skin aging.

Nicotine is said to shrink the blood vessels, which reduces the blood circulation in your skin and the supply of oxygen to the cells. 

This naturally causes skin cells to gradually die, increasing the rate of aging by many folds.

Change your makeup routine

There are some little things that we neglect when doing our makeup, which may be accelerating the appearance of wrinkles on the face and lips. For instance, not using a primer before applying your makeup can be a common mistake.

Always massage a moisturizer on your face first and then a primer before you start your makeup. Your makeup products tend to dry out the skin, and a primer can act as a shield against it, preventing skin from drying.

Also, prime your lips before using lipstick for the same reasons.

Avoid makeup products that absorb all the natural oils from your skin, such as powders, matte finish lipsticks, and foundations. They can increase fine lines and wrinkles.

Skincare to prevent lip wrinkles

Prevention is any day better than cure. So make sure to maintain a good skincare routine from an early age to minimize the appearance of premature lip wrinkles. Follow the steps below for healthier, firmer skin.

Exfoliate

Exfoliation is an important part of skincare as it helps remove dead skin and blackheads, leaving your skin feeling more supple and soft. 

It also improves blood circulation in your skin which is essential to prevent premature aging. Try a natural and gentle face scrub. Avoid scrubbing too hard and exfoliating only once or twice a week.

The WOW Skin Science Ubtan Face and Body scrub is a great choice as it protects skin from environmental damage and supports the skin renewal process. 

It has all-natural ingredients like turmeric, which helps heal your skin, chickpea flour that brightens skin, and more.

Nourish

The next important step is to nourish your skin with a natural, revitalizing face mask. Face masks offer your skin the additional nourishment it needs from the outside. Always apply a mask after exfoliation to ensure maximum absorption.

Try the WOW Fuji Matcha Green Tea Clay Face Mask that removes pore-clogging impurities, evens out your skin tone, and restores supple skin. Also, green tea has antioxidants that can help fight signs of aging.

Essential oils can provide deep nourishment to your skin too. Pure essential oils induce better sleep which also contributes to skin health in the long run. 

The WOW Eucalyptus Essential Oil helps clear impurities from your skin and soothes it to give you a brighter appearance. It also protects the skin from environmental stressors.

Moisturize

Dry skin is more prone to aging and wrinkling. Your skin needs proper hydration to maintain its suppleness. Make moisturization a part of your everyday skincare regime.

Wash your face with a mild face wash and pat dry with a soft towel. Apply a good, hydrating moisturizer and massage gently all over the and neck. 

Use light upward strokes when massaging and avoid pulling your skin too much. Do this every day before you go to bed, and you will see a visible difference in the texture of your skin.

For wrinkles and creases, try the WOW Skin Science Hyaluronic Acid Water Gel. It is a deeply hydrating formula that revitalizes your skin. Hyaluronic acid helps your skin retain moisture making it firmer and softer.

Make sure to pay equal attention to your lips when following these skin care tips.

Discover more from our range of plant-based skincare products.