A cream like tretinoin (Retin-A) can help minimize lines above the lip. If you would like to be more aggressive, there are several lasers that can improve the lines. Finally, some of the deeper chemical peels (such as Obagi) may also minimize the upper lip lines.
Skin Care for Smoker's Lines
The best results for lip lines will be with the use of retinol or one of its more powerful cousins like tretinoin (Retin-A). This puts the skin into overdrive and increases thickness and skin quality, and it plays well with the other modalities we discuss in this post.
Using a retinol or retinoid cream can help, too. "Retinol slowly thickens the deeper layers of the skin, while thinning out the superficial layers," says Levine. "This softens fine marionette lines, making the skin look more youthful."
Tretinoin for Wrinkles: The Research
In one study published in the British Journal of Dermatology, researchers found that treatment with tretinoin produced “significant improvements” in fine wrinkling near the eyes, crease lines around the mouth and cheeks, skin discoloration and other signs of skin aging.
Another option is to gently fill the upper lip lines with a soft hyaluronic acid (HA) filler. Dr. Dover's favorites for the task are Volbella (Juvederm, Allergan), Restylane Silk (Galderma) or Belotero (Merz). “Fillers work, but it's painful.
Injectable Fillers
Superficial smoker's lines can easily—and instantly—be smoothed out with a hyaluronic acid-based filler such as Juvéderm Volbella or Restylane Silk. These injectables are the thinnest in their respective families, which makes them ideal for fine lines and areas with thin skin.
Squirt a dot of liquid primer or foundation onto a concealer brush and spread it on the skin. Then, take the tip of your finger and gently pat it evenly across the skin so it fills in fine lines. The primer or foundation also plumps the skin so the pores and wrinkles aren't as visible.
Believe it or not, Vitamin C Eye Cream or Retinol Eye Cream can also function as lip moisturizers. Not only can eye creams be used on the delicate skin around your eyes, but they are also ideal for other sensitive places, like your lips.
It's unsafe to use tretinoin under the eyes or on the lips. It's too strong for these sensitive areas and could cause serious eye irritation if it gets in or near the eyes.
First, the answer is yes, retinol can make wrinkles worse, especially when you first start using it. What is happening is a drying effect, and one can get epidermal sliding from separation from the dermis.
Tretinoin has been proven to prevent, reduce, and treat wrinkles. It also helps to treat and prevent age spots. By stimulating collagen production in the skin, it strengthens the skin at a structural level, resulting in a more youthful appearance.
Some medications can cause skin and lips to dry out and crack. People applying topical retinoids such as Tretinoin or Adapalene or taking oral Isotretinoin as part of their medical acne treatment sometimes experience dry and cracked lips as a side effect.
When hyaluronic acid fillers are added back to the skin, it fills in the volume you've lost. It's the fastest way to correct your lip lines. Plus, hyaluronic acid actually stimulates collagen production.
Botox temporarily relaxes the part of the muscle over the upper lip, causing the lip to roll slightly upward so it appears more voluminous and defined. This muscle relaxation can also help smooth vertical lines around the lips.
Hydrated skin from coconut oil is known to ward off wrinkles, mimicing sebum. In a study conducted by Japanese researchers – oily skin takes much longer to get wrinkles as compared to dry skin. So not only does coconut oil help your skin feel its best - it also works hard prevent wrinkles before they strike.
Doctors generally recommend using no more than a pea-size dab for the entire face. They advise using the product once every three nights (or once a week if skin feels irritated) for a couple of weeks, then every other night, eventually working up to every night if the skin can handle it.
On the whole, it's best to think of botox as a treatment for wrinkles that are apparent with moving facial muscles (smiling, furrowing your brow, frowning) while tretinoin can help treat the fine lines and sun spots resulting from UV exposure.
Do not use this medicine in or around the eyes or lips, or inside of the nose. Spread the medicine away from these areas when applying. If it accidentally gets on these areas, wash with water at once. Before applying tretinoin, wash the skin with a mild soap or cleanser and warm water by using the tips of your fingers.
“This will make your skin look older and accentuate wrinkles” — which is probably not what you're going for when you start using the stuff. And there's no question that retinol makes your skin more sensitive to the sun.
Remember, that 'retinoid uglies' are likely to be temporary, and it will take time before you see the end result. You have three skin layers—the epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous tissue. Your epidermis is your visible layer, and renews approximately every 28 days.
Two of the most common products used to keep skin in excellent condition are hyaluronic acid and retinol. What should a person use between hyaluronic acid or retinol? Hyaluronic acid is best if they're looking to moisturize dry skin, while retinol works better by encouraging better skin by boosting collagen production.
When you use retinol, explains Paviol, "you are also receiving the collagen-building effects of vitamin A.” Additionally, retinol also works to improve the penetration of peptide creams and serums which can help improve skin firmness. When combined, you'll improve the efficacy.
Retinoids work best if you use them daily. Specifically, they should be used at night because some types are deactivated by light and air. It's important to start slowly and allow your skin time to adjust. Using too much too quickly can cause redness, dryness, and irritation.