Perioral lines, 'smoker's lines' or vertical lines above the upper lip are quite common regardless of whether or not someone smokes. The muscles of this area are quite strong and create a purse string effect; their action can cause tiny creases over time.
Lip lines causes
Lines of the lips are due to several factors which include loss of volume, loss of bony & dental structure, loss of elasticity and repetitive use. Smoker's lines around the lips are often a result of both direct damage to the skin from the smoke, causing vertical lines, and volume loss with aging.
Lip lines treatment
Treatment of these lines may involve replacing volume, such as with dermal fillers like Restylane, or by decreasing muscle action with botulinum toxin. At times both remedies are used together.
High energy fractional lasers are also used to treat lines around the mouth. Fractional CO2 lasers like Fraxel Repair or Deep FX can make an improvement. Even then, deep lines may need two sessions. Some physicians might be able to perform the treatment only on the lip lines.
Botulinum toxin is most frequently used in the upper face, but has been utilized for lip creases in small doses. When placed carefully botulinum toxin can help reduce these lines for months at a time. Physicians advise that people considering Botox around the mouth should proceed with caution and use a limited dose.