What can be done for the vertical lines around my lip? (Photo)

Question

I have small lips and they make my face look pinched.

Sheryl D. Clark, MD, FAAD · Answer

Dear janinelozano:Yes, we all hate those liplines and thin lips! They can be made worse by smoking or by years of enjoying oneself in the beautiful California sun. But they don’t have to be yours forever.Having used many different modalities for these lines including topicals, fillers, radiofrequency, peels, laser, and high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU), I have concluded that the most effective treatment is a combination of a very small amount of hyaluronic acid filler and HIFU treatment with #Ultherapy. Combining this with appropriate topicals with proven increased production of collagen and elastic fibers, such as #Retinol, #TNS serum, and#Alastin, has hasten and deepen the response.  The filler will make the lip lines look less obvious even when placed in the lips themselves. I do not recommend fillers to the lines themselves for most patients, especially for someone with thin lips, as it it common to see a ‘fat,’ overhanging upper lip with this approach. There is little to minimal downtime and no serious side effects when the fillers are injected conservatively and by an expert; this is not a procedure to have with anyone but a board-certified, core specialist.Sheryl Clark, MD, FAAD

Karen Leong, MD · Answer

Hello, thank you for your question. Those dreaded lip lines plagued many of us... and it's not fair to call them smoker's lines as many of us don't smoke! They are the result of years of laughing and pursing our lips, of blowing kisses and drinking through straws. The muscle that contributes to these lines is called the orbicularis oris and repeated motions can cause these lines to become deeper and more unsightly!There are many ways we approach these lines now, however, there isn't a single, perfect treatment! When my patients come to me with this complaint, I assess their skin color, texture, elasticity and look at how thin or full their lips are. We talk about bad habits that make these lines appear (no more straws!) and how to alter them. Treatments can range from a few units of Botox, to lip filler, to chemical peels or laser resurfacing, and most invasively we have dermabrasion. Treatments are individualized to your goals and desires.Of course, maintenance and overall skin care are a vital part of the process!I hope this helps. - Dr. Leong

Shaun Patel, MD · Answer

Laugh lines can be treated using a hyaluronic acid based filler like Restylane Refyne or Restylane Defyne. Vertical lines above the upper lip can be treated using a combination of Botox or Dysport, filler (like Restylane Silk), and skincare (microneedling or fractional lasers, topicals such as retinol).

Lawrence Janowski, MD · Answer

If you want to eliminate the lines then J plasma resurfacing or Erbium laser resurfacing.  If you want to temporarily soften them, then a fine filler such as Restylane Refyne would do well.  A bit of Botox or Dysport will also help prevent lines from worsening.

David Hansen, MD · Answer

Filling in the lips and the lines around the mouth do so well and is easy to get done. It may take 2-3 syringes of fillers but is so worth it.

What can be done for the vertical lines around my lip? (Photo)

Answers (8)

Answer: Vertical lip lines

Answer: Vertical lip lines

Answer: Small lips with creases can sure benefit with fillers.

Answer: Small lips with creases can sure benefit with fillers.

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Dermal Fillers

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

What can be done for the vertical lines around my lip? (Photo)

Answers (8)

Answer: Vertical lip lines

Answer: Vertical lip lines

Answer: Small lips with creases can sure benefit with fillers.

Answer: Small lips with creases can sure benefit with fillers.

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Dermal Fillers

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