This week I have had a run of patients complaining about the lines around their lips
I’ve never smoked
I hate them
I dont know where they have come from
So here is my overview
Introduction
In the world of aesthetic medicine, one of the most commonly encountered concerns is the appearance of barcode lips and smoker lines. Those lines above and around the lips!
These fine lines and wrinkles around the mouth and lips can develop due to various factors such as ageing, repetitive facial movements, sun exposure, and smoking. Advancements in medical technology have provided a wide range of effective treatments to address these issues and restore a youthful and better appearance. This overview will review my understanding of the causes of barcode lips and smokers lines and delve into the various available treatments in aesthetic medicine to combat these concerns.
So, what causes these lip lines?
- Aging Process and Collagen Depletion: As we age, our skin gradually loses its elasticity and collagen, leading to the formation of fine lines and wrinkles, including those around the mouth and lips. The natural ageing process significantly contributes to developing barcode lips and smokers’ lines. We all age
- Repetitive Facial Movements: The constant movement of the mouth muscles, such as puckering, sipping through straws, and smoking, can create creases and lines over time. These repetitive facial movements can exacerbate the appearance of barcode lips and smokers’ lines, making them more pronounced. Botox – I love to use it for this reason.
- Sun Exposure and Environmental Damage: Prolonged sun exposure and exposure to environmental pollutants can lead to premature skin ageing. The sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays can break down collagen and elastin fibres, accelerating the formation of fine lines and wrinkles, including those around the mouth. Use your SPF always and topical retinoid (provided on prescription)
- Smoking: Smoking significantly contributes to developing barcode lips and smokers’ lines. Cigarette smoke contains harmful chemicals that damage collagen and elastin in the skin, leading to premature ageing and increased wrinkles around the mouth.
What treatments are available?
What are my options at Tracey Bell?
Topical Treatments
- Retinoids: Topical retinoids, derived from Vitamin A, are commonly used to treat fine lines and wrinkles. They stimulate collagen production and promote skin cell turnover, leading to smoother and more youthful-looking skin. Regular use of retinoids can help improve the appearance of barcode lips and smokers’ lines over time. WE LOVE OBAGI PRODUCTS – you can order these direct and online
- Peptides: Peptides are short chains of amino acids that play a crucial role in collagen synthesis. Applying peptide-containing creams can help enhance collagen production, reducing the visibility of fine lines and wrinkles around the mouth and lips.
- Hyaluronic Acid: Hyaluronic acid is a natural substance in the skin that helps maintain hydration and plumpness. Topical products containing hyaluronic acid can improve skin texture and diminish the appearance of fine lines.
Injectable Treatments
- Dermal Fillers: Dermal fillers are injectable substances that help fill deep wrinkles and lines around the mouth. Hyaluronic acid-based fillers are commonly used as they provide natural-looking results and are biodegradable.
- Botulinum Toxin (Botox): Botulinum toxin, commonly known as Botox, is an injectable treatment that temporarily relaxes the muscles responsible for causing wrinkles. It can reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles around the lips and mouth caused by repetitive facial movements. At Tracey Bell, we often combine both Botox and a thin Dermal Filler to help reduce the signs of fine lines.
Laser and Energy-Based Treatments
- Fractional Laser Resurfacing: Fractional laser treatments use laser beams to create microscopic injuries in the skin, stimulating collagen production and skin rejuvenation. This can improve barcode lips and smoker lines, promoting a smoother and more even skin texture.
- Radiofrequency Microneedling: Radiofrequency microneedling combines microneedling with radiofrequency energy to target deep layers of the skin. This treatment encourages collagen remodelling and helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles around the mouth.
Ultherapy – yes, a radiofrequency machine of Targeted Ultrasound
Precise, specific and one of our favourite treatments
Chemical Peels
- Glycolic Acid Peels: Glycolic acid peels are chemical peels that exfoliate the skin’s top layer, stimulating cell turnover and collagen production. Regularly using glycolic acid peels can lead to smoother skin texture and reduced fine lines and wrinkles.
Surgical Procedures
- Lip Augmentation: For individuals with thin lips, lip augmentation procedures can enhance lip volume and reduce the appearance of barcode lips. Surgical options include lip implants or fat transfer. We do not complete surgical treatments at Tracey Bell, but we are always happy to help and advise with whom we have in our little black book of great surgeons.
- Facelift: A facelift can be considered in cases of severe ageing and prominent smokers lines. This surgical procedure aims to lift and tighten the skin, providing a more youthful and rejuvenated appearance.
Conclusion
So, in conclusion, there is a choice, but diagnosis of the cause is the most important thing
Sometimes it can be dental issues also, and we have the experience to recognise and diagnose these issues
Barcode lips and smokers’ lines are common concerns that can significantly impact an individual’s self-confidence. However, these issues can be effectively addressed with the array of available treatments in aesthetic medicine. Multiple options are based on individual preferences and requirements, from topical treatments and injectables to laser therapies and surgical procedures.
My opinion and review after nearly 20 years injecting and practicing Aesthetic Medicine – I hope it was informative.
Tracey Bell