Would a lip lift help with horizontal and vertical lip lines?

I have been treating this problem, often called "lipstick bleeding lines," "smoker's Lines," or "accordion lines," for many years. Happily, these issues can be treated with nonsurgical approaches. The use of a couple of microdroplets of Botox placed appropriately on each side of the vermilion border can be helpful for relaxing the perioral muscles responsible for the formation of these lines. For skin that has become etched at rest already (I.e. formed static wrinkles) after years of repetitive motion of the perioral muscles, the use of a low viscosity, malleable, cohesive HA filler can help to smooth them. And, finally, if still necessary, a series of in-office superficial peels can further improve the overall texture, especially when accompanied by the at-home use of prescription strength topical retinoids and/or alpha hydroxyacids. You would be wise to consult with an experienced, board certified cosmetic dermatologist. Best of luck.

Thank you for your thoughtful question. When evaluating perioral lines—including vertical lip lines (also called “smoker’s lines”) and a horizontal crease closer to the nose—several treatment options can be considered, and a lip lift may be one part of a broader strategy.

1. Lip Lift and Its Effect on Lines:
A lip lift is a surgical procedure that shortens the distance between the nose and upper lip, everts the vermilion (the pink part), and can create a more youthful appearance by improving lip definition and upper tooth show.

While a lip lift is not a direct treatment for wrinkles, it can offer indirect improvement by tightening the upper lip skin, which in turn softens some vertical and horizontal lines—especially if the skin laxity in the philtrum area contributes to their appearance.

If the horizontal line you mentioned lies close to the nasal base or upper lip margin, a well-executed lip lift might help reduce its depth.

2. When to Consider Other Treatments:
If the primary concern is fine lines and etched wrinkles, particularly those caused by repetitive movement or volume loss, the following options are more targeted:

A. Botox (Neuromodulators)
Can be used in very small units around the upper lip ("lip flip") to reduce dynamic vertical lines.

Best for early or moderate lines due to muscle activity rather than structural skin changes.

B. Dermal Filler (Hyaluronic Acid)
Micro-droplet or “blanching” technique can help fill fine static lines without over-bulking the lip area.

Also useful for restoring volume loss that contributes to wrinkling around the mouth.

C. CO₂ Laser Resurfacing or Er:YAG Laser
These are gold standards for improving textural changes and deeper wrinkles.

Fractional CO₂ or Er:YAG can significantly reduce vertical and horizontal lip lines, especially when collagen stimulation is the goal.

A more aggressive approach may be needed for deeply etched lines, but downtime and skin type must be considered.

Conclusion:
While a lip lift could slightly improve the appearance of a horizontal crease and provide modest skin tightening, it won’t fully resolve vertical lip lines. For a more complete approach, combining the lip lift with laser resurfacing, neurotoxin, and/or subtle filler may deliver the best aesthetic outcome—each addressing different causes of wrinkling (laxity, volume loss, and muscle movement).