Lipstick or smokers are small lines that etch the lips and may extend vertically from the lips. They are often first noticed when lipstick starts to ‘bleed’ out of the vermilion border (the border between the lip and adjacent skin) into the vertical fine lines around the mouth. They are more prevalent on the upper lips; however, the wrinkles can form on both the lips themselves.
Why have I got lipstick lines?
Lip stick lines occur as we grow older and when the lip naturally starts to lose its volume, along with repetitive bunching of the tissue from muscular activity. Natural ageing, the effects of the sun can also develop and increase the lines around the lips.
Why are they called smokers lines?
Smokers’ lines develop around the mouth because of the puckering of the lips, caused by sucking on a cigarette. The more cigarette’s that are smoked over the years will make the lines more difficult to treat. Smoking does not necessarily cause smoker’s lines but physiological ageing in general causes lines, folds, and wrinkles in the lower face area, or anything below the eyes, to form. Smoking also breaks down the production of collagen, which in turn increases the appearance of wrinkles and causes the skin to thin. Nurse Julie advises to stop smoking or seek smoking cessation advice from your GP or practice nurse.
I only want my lipstick lines treated and not the lips themselves – is this possible?
Yes, this is possible. To treat the smoker’s lines/peri-oral lines, Nurse Julie will place small amounts of filler or anti-wrinkle injections around the area where there are visible lines. Sometimes, these are on the top and the bottom (please note that only anti-wrinkle injections are injected in the peri-oral area, which is between the nose and lips themselves).
Can treating the peri-oral area take years off my face?
In Nurse Julie’s experience, absolutely. These lines can be difficult to conceal with makeup but can be reduced with dermal filler/anti-wrinkle injections and can take years off your face.
What happens during the procedure?
During the procedure, Nurse Julie will inject the dermal filler in a series of small injections along the peri-oral area, she may gently massage the area also.
Treatment Summary
*Assuming no bruising.
**Depending on severity, some patients may require further treatment at the time.