Vertical lip lines on 38 year old. What can I do about this? (Photo)

Question

I'm a 38 yo nonsmoker who takes care of her skin, but over the last 5 years I've had increasingly worsening vertical lines on in the area above my lips. It's really obvious when I talk. Lip fillers didn't help. I've also tried botox lip flip once, but it was not enough to see a difference. I used to bite my nails and I'm wondering if this made the muscles above my lip overly pronounce? I remember after a session of biting my upper lip would be sore like from exercise. What can I do about this?

Nelson Lee Novick, MD · Answer

My best guess for the lack of success in treating these clearly motion-related vertical upper lip lines with Botox and with filler would be that incorrect choices of techniques were used. With the filler, rather than solely attempting to fill and elevate each individual vertical line, as was likely done, a cohesive resilient filler capable of resisting the muscular motion would need to fanned superficially throughout the upper white lip region beneath and at ninety and forty -five degree angles to the vertical lines. Additionally, if necessary, microdroplets of Botox can be injected in slightly different areas to where injected for the "lip flip" technique in order to quiet the overactivity of the muscle responsible for the problem. Make sure to consult with an experienced, board certified cosmetic dermatologist. Best of luck.

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

You will likely have a better outcome with a combination of treatments.  Botox with fillers can help soften the dyanmic muscle activity as well as decrease the prominence of the lines.  See an expert injector for treatment.

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

​Fillers such as Restylane Silk, Belotero, or Juvederm can work well to treat lines around the mouth, but the best first option is laser resurfacing or deep peels to induce collagen production. Superficial radiofrequency devices and microneedling can help as well and are less invasive. I suggest going to an experienced cosmetic dermatologist with expertise in lasers and fillers. Best, Dr. Emer​

Trang Vo-Nguyen, MD · Answer

A combination of hyaluronic acid filler and Botox will give you better result. This combination will provide better results than just hyaluronic acid filler you have tried previously.

Nelson Castillo, MD · Answer

Thank you for sharing your question.  As the lines appear to form with animation attempts I would recommend Botox treatments to help soften the lines while avoiding other behaviors such as straw use.  Hope this helps.

Vertical lip lines on 38 year old. What can I do about this? (Photo)

Answers (7)

Answer: Treating vertical lip lines

Answer: Treating vertical lip lines

Answer: Vertical lip lines on 38 year old. What can I do about this? (Photo)

Answer: Vertical lip lines on 38 year old. What can I do about this? (Photo)

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Everything you need to know about Lip Fillers

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Vertical lip lines on 38 year old. What can I do about this? (Photo)

Answers (7)

Answer: Treating vertical lip lines

Answer: Treating vertical lip lines

Answer: Vertical lip lines on 38 year old. What can I do about this? (Photo)

Answer: Vertical lip lines on 38 year old. What can I do about this? (Photo)

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Lip Fillers

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