Lip lines are often noticed in small, everyday moments. When lipstick bleeds, when the mouth looks more lined at rest, or when the skin around the lips feels thinner than it used to.
These lines are very common and develop for a variety of reasons. For most patients, treating lip lines isn’t about changing their smile — it’s about softening the area so it looks smoother and more comfortable.
Fine vertical lines around the mouth
Upper and lower lips, perioral area
Smoother, softer skin around the mouth
What Are Lip Lines?
Lip lines are fine vertical lines that form around the mouth, particularly on the upper lip. They’re sometimes called perioral lines, lipstick lines, or “smoker’s lines” — though many people who develop them have never smoked.
These lines can appear when the mouth moves (talking, smiling, pursing) and may eventually become visible even when the face is relaxed. Upper lip lines tend to be more prominent than those on the lower lip.
Lip lines are one of the more common complaints we see at Lazaderm — they’re a natural part of aging that affects most people to some degree.
Why Lip Lines Develop
Lip lines form due to a combination of movement, aging, and skin changes. The key thing to understand is that there are two different factors at play: loss of volume and changes in skin quality.
Smoking — Lip lines can form from smoking. Smoking leads to premature aging by decreasing collagen production, combined with the repetitive use of the muscle surrounding the mouth. However, most patients we see with lip lines have never smoked.
Sun exposure — 80% or more of the skin’s aging process is due to sun exposure. UV rays break down collagen and elastin in the skin. The skin becomes thinner and loses elasticity, causing wrinkles to form around the mouth.
Volume loss — As we age, we lose significant volume around the mouth — whether from loss of collagen and elastin or loss of the supporting fat in the area. This causes vertical lines on the lips to form and deepen.
Repeated movement — Years of talking, smiling, drinking from straws, and pursing the lips contribute to these dynamic lines becoming etched into the skin.
Genetics — Some people are naturally more prone to developing lip lines than others.
Lip lines often develop alongside other concerns such as fine lines and wrinkles and may become more noticeable when surrounding areas experience volume loss.
How Lip Lines Can Affect Appearance
Lip lines can subtly change how the mouth area looks, even at rest.
Patients often mention that lip lines:
These concerns are very common. Addressing lip lines is usually about improving skin quality and support — not freezing movement or changing expression.
How to Prevent Lip Lines
While lip lines are a natural part of aging, certain habits can slow their progression.
Stop smoking — Smoking speeds up the rate at which we lose collagen, elastin, and volume around the lips. It can be difficult to quit, but it’s one of the most effective ways to prevent worsening lines around the mouth.
Sun protection — Daily use of a high-quality sunblock is important to prevent sun damage around your upper and lower lip. Sunblock should be worn even on cloudy days and in winter months. We prefer zinc and titanium-containing sunblocks such as EltaMD. Don’t forget your lips — use a lip balm with SPF.
Hydration — Keeping the skin hydrated helps maintain elasticity and plumpness.
Gentle skincare — Avoid harsh products that can thin the delicate skin around the mouth.
What to Expect During a Consultation
A consultation at Lazaderm is designed to feel informative and respectful.
During your visit, your provider will:
Most patients require a combination approach: adding volume back to the area surrounding the mouth AND treating the skin quality to create a smoother, more balanced result.
You’ll have time to ask questions and decide what feels right for you.
Setting Realistic Expectations
Treatments for lip lines provide improvement, not permanent change.
Results vary based on:
Maintenance treatments are often part of long-term management. The goal is a smoother, softer appearance that still looks natural and allows for normal expression.
The most effective approach depends on what’s contributing most to the lines — skin quality, volume loss, or muscle movement. Most patients benefit from addressing multiple factors. A consultation helps determine the right combination for your specific concerns.
Dysport or Botox can be used to soften vertical lip lines by relaxing the muscle around the mouth.
How it works: These treatments weaken the orbicularis oris muscle (the muscle that surrounds the mouth), which decreases the wrinkling that occurs with movement.
Important caution: Some care must be used when treating the area around the mouth. Too much Botox or Dysport may affect your speech or ability to pucker — like when you sip coffee or drink from a straw. Conservative dosing is key.
Best for:
Dermal fillers can restore volume and directly smooth lip lines for natural-looking results.
How it works: Injection of dermal fillers gives back some of the volume lost with aging. The volume plumps up the area, decreasing the depth of lines around the mouth. A very small amount of filler can also be injected directly into deeper wrinkles for additional smoothing.
Products used:
These fillers are specifically designed for the delicate lip and perioral area, providing smooth, natural results.
Best for:
Light chemical peels can provide modest improvement in lip lines and enhance overall skin quality.
How it works: Peels remove the outer layers of damaged skin, promoting cell turnover and improving skin texture. They also help improve the reflectivity of the skin, making lines less noticeable.
Benefits:
Many patients find that chemical peels help their makeup appear smoother and more even around the mouth.
Microneedling treatments can improve lip lines by increasing skin thickness through collagen production.
Collagen PIN Microneedling — Can improve wrinkles on the upper and lower lips by stimulating collagen production and thickening the skin. Results leave skin feeling smoother.
Vivace Microneedling with RF — Recommended for deeper wrinkles around the mouth. Combines microneedling with radiofrequency energy for enhanced collagen stimulation and skin tightening.
Results: Both treatments promote smoother, more resilient skin around the mouth. Multiple sessions are typically recommended for best results.
Laser treatments can significantly improve lip lines by inducing new collagen formation.
Fractional lasers:
These lasers create controlled micro-injuries that stimulate collagen production. It typically takes 3-6 treatments to achieve optimal results. Fractional lasers have less downtime than full resurfacing.
Full resurfacing:
Full resurfacing with the Erbium laser gives the best results for lip lines but also has the most downtime. This option is reserved for patients with deeper lines who want more dramatic improvement.
MOXI is a gentle fractional laser that can improve skin quality and fine lines around delicate areas like the eyes and mouth.
How it works: MOXI delivers fractionated laser energy to stimulate collagen production and promote cellular turnover, with minimal downtime and a comfortable treatment experience.
Best for:
Often combined with Botox/Dysport for comprehensive results — neuromodulators address muscle movement while MOXI improves skin quality.
The most effective treatment for lip lines often involves addressing multiple factors.
Why combination works best: There are two different causes of vertical lip lines — loss of volume AND skin quality changes. Most patients will require:
Your provider will recommend the right combination based on what’s contributing most to your lines and your personal goals.
If lip lines are something you’ve been noticing or feeling bothered by, a consultation can help you explore options in a supportive setting. At Lazaderm, consultations focus on education, safety, and helping you feel confident in your care decisions.
