Lip wrinkles are caused by a variety of lifestyle and environmental factors on top of the natural aging process. The lips are often ignored when choosing anti-aging treatments and skin products. The delicate skin of the lips is one of the first outward signs of aging. Laser, dermal fillers, chemical peels and creams are lip wrinkle treatments proven effective at rejuvenating the tender skin of the lips and the perioral area around the lips.
Laser
Laser is a popular treatment for wrinkles. Laser can be used both on the lips and for wrinkles on the upper lip area. Tests with the carbon dioxide laser (CO2) have proved effective in reducing moderate to severe upper lip wrinkles, according to the National Institutes of Health. Lasers have less risk of scarring and allow the doctor more precise control over depth and strength of tissue vaporization.
Besides the reduction in wrinkles and wrinkle depth, laser treatment also firms the skin, reducing or removing wrinkles from skin folding, according to a 1996 study in the April 1996 issue of Archives of Dermatology. Laser resurfacing produces predictable results with few risks.
Fillers
Botox can be injected around the lip and perioral area as a treatment for wrinkles. The procedure takes about 20 minutes and greatly reduces the signs of aging around the lips.
Collagen dermal fillers are also effective at plumping the lips, thereby reducing lip wrinkles. The recovery time is short, lasting from a few hours up to two days. A 2010 study by the Dermatology Department at the University of Toronto found that most patients had a 50 to 100 percent improvement in the appearance of lip wrinkles.
Hyaluronic acid fillers like Juvederm, Restylane and Perlane produce pleasing and natural results with few side effects. The effects can last up to one year.
Chemical Peels
Phenol chemical peels reduce lip wrinkles. In a 1999 comparison study by the Department of Dermatology at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center between the carbon dioxide laser (CO2) and the phenol chemical peel, phenol resulted in greater improvement than the CO2 laser.
Chemical peels treat lip wrinkles and stimulate new skin growth, according to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). There is some risk of developing a temporary or permanent skin discoloration or scarring with chemical peels. Always consult a dermatologist or other skin-care professional before getting a chemical peel.
Creams
Different creams are useful for firming the skin and reducing lip wrinkles. A 2005 controlled trial by Johnson & Johnson Consumer Products on DMAE, or 2-dimethylaminoethanol, concluded that DMAE increased skin firmness and had anti-inflammatory properties.
Alpha-hydroxy acids (AHA) have shown significant anti-aging results. Many products contain AHAs in a mild form to promote exfoliation and skin cell renewal.
Vitamin C is a proven anti-wrinkle treatment. Vitamin C can be used in cream or liquid form.
Moisturizers are great lip wrinkle treatments as they improve the overall appearance of the skin along with moisturizing and hydrating the skin, according to the National Institutes of Health.
