Can lip filler help with 'smokers lines?' (photos)

Question

Hi, I'm 35 but got smoker lines above around my mouth, I've never smoked. When I move my mouth I get lots of lines. Several are etched in and do not go. I have already had 2 treatments of skin resurfacing that cost a fortune, with no difference. I've been told the lines are too fine for filler. Its been suggested I can have a small amount of filler in the border of my lips. Do you think this will help? I'm scared because lip filler always looks fake!

Barbara Padilla, MD · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question!

You can use dermal fillers to help with the look of the smoker lines. The provider can inject  around the border of your lips, and this will fill in the area where the skin wrinkles to form those lines. This will give a smoother, more even appearance so the smoker lines won’t be as pronounced.

As for the appearance of lip fillers, this all depends on both the amount of filler used and  the experience of the provider. If the provider does the injection correctly, it will appear very natural, as if you didn’t even have work done.

I suggest you research experienced providers in your area and consult with them regarding your concerns.

Hope this helps and good luck!

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

​lip lines need a combination -- lasers, fillers, botox or plasma pen. start at home dermarolling and peels (see link).

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​

Nelson Lee Novick, MD · Answer

Botox (or any of the other neuromodulators) would be appropriate for movement related wrinkles, and an appropriate, cohesive, less robust HA fillers, such as Belotero Balance, could then be used to elevate and smooth the etched-in, static "smoker's lines."  I have cautioning my readers for years to exercise "buyer beware" when considering expensive fraxel laser or other energy-based devices (since the hard science to support their purported benefits lags well behind the heavy marketing hype to promote them), so I am not surprised that about the disappointment with the resurfacing procedures. Make sure to consult a board certified cosmetic dermatologist or other core aesthetic physician with experience in injectables and check out their personal befores and afters before agreeing to proceed. Best of luck.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear Lanolin86,
I perform a lot of lip injections with fillers such as juvederm and it works great. Many times I need to put more in one side than the other to attempt to even out the vermillion border (The red line of the lip). This helps provide more symmetry at times.For patients looking for a more long lasting result, I recommend fat grafting. That is, using your own bodies fat to make your lips naturally look more shapely. The bonus is that the results last many many years.
In general, I avoid using permanent prosthesis because I find that the lips are such dynamic and sensitive structures, the end result is not natural.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Benjamin Barankin, MD, FRCPC · Answer

Botulinum toxin (e.g. Botox, Dysport) is particularly beneficial if you don't like the lines created with movement as in the pictures you provide. If however you have resting smoker's lines, then a very fine filler (typically hyaluronic acid) can be injected into them. And in some cases, both botulinum toxin and fillers are used. Laser resurfacing or microneedling (with or without PRP or RF) can also provide varying degrees of benefit.

Joel L. Cohen, MD · Answer

Fillers can help some etched lines on the upper lip. But if there are a lot of lines, then resurfacing works best and treats the whole field (both the lines that are visible now, as well as the evolving lines that will become more prominent over time). When it comes to resurfacing, there is a big spectrum of what that means. Full-field Erbium will lead to more improvement per session than either fractional CO2 or fractional Erbium. And all of these depends on the laser settings in terms of depth, density, degree of coagulation and number of passes. In my opinion, Sciton full-field Erbium is the best way to address these etched upper lip lines.

Leonard Grossman, MD · Answer

When your mouth is at rest, there does not appear to be a line anywhere near it. Trying to correct dynamic wrinkles should be done only with the use of Botox or similar. If you find a plastic surgeon who is well-versed with such techniques, they can carefully inject a very small amount of Botox into the upper lips and then a couple of weeks later do the same into the lower lips, successfully eliminating the dynamic lines you do not like. I hope the southside would like from New York City plastic surgery plastic surgery

Rita Rakus, MBBS - Account Suspended · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question. It is always best to see you face to face for a consult and examination however in this case yes a small amount of filler in the vermilion border here will certainly help add strength to your lip lines. I hope that helps answer your question. Always seek an experienced and qualified medical professional for these treatments. Very best wishes

Can lip filler help with 'smokers lines?' (photos)

Answers (8)

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