Would a peel or laser help my smile lines and my thinning upper lip? (Photos)

Question

My main issue, and area my age shows is the smile lines and my thinning upper lip. I feel lucky at 49 1/2 my skin is relatively wrinkle free. My main issue, and area my age shows however is the smile lines & my thinning upper lip. I am a big fan of chemical peels. I know filler is best for smile lines but I heard, albeit rarely, you can go blind if injected wrong. I would prefer a peel or laser for my mouth area. Would it help? I think woman in 40s are at their most beautiful, so I’m not looking for a drastic change, but want it to be worth the time and $.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Fractional laser is an amazing and highly effective treatment in our office. We use the laser treatment to help with acne scars, large pores, fine wrinkles, tissue collagen loss, scars, sebaceous hyperplasia, active acne, and for brightening dark pigmentation. Although there are very strong fractional lasers such as CO2 laser, we use lighter treatments for corrective skincare and maintenance of results. Our Thulium fractional laser, clear and brilliant laser, and Ultra Thulium laser are excellent options in our clinic. We also perform CO2 fractional and erbium depending on skin tone and tolerance for downtime. Patients do have to use a Melarase cream before and after treatment to help further reduce pigmentation after laser. Dark spots can improve with these treatments. I recommend fractional laser for incisional scars as well, especially after plastic surgery.

Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian 
Realself100 Surgeon

Robert T. Buchanan, MD (retired) · Answer

You need to see someone who is an expert in peroral rejuvenation.  However, no matter who you see, do not allow anyone to do a peel or laser on your lip.  You will not get the improvement you seek.  The first thing you need to do, if you are not already, is to make certain that you using a good retinol or tretinoin (Retin-A) and Obagi's ELASTIderm to add collagen and elastic tissue to the area.  In spite of your trepidations about fillers, they are the best method of improving volume of depleted lips and reducing per oral lines, which generally form because of the volume loss. In expert hands, fillers are very safe in this area.

Would a peel or laser help my smile lines and my thinning upper lip? (Photos)

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Everything you need to know about Chemical Peel

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Would a peel or laser help my smile lines and my thinning upper lip? (Photos)

Answers (2)

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Chemical Peel

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.