Lines on the upper lip can be really bothersome. Factors like age, collagen production, smoking habits, and sun exposure could result in vertical lip lines that form over your upper lip. These pesky wrinkles can be difficult to conceal as they grow deeper and more pronounced as time passes by. Vertical lip lines can also make you look older than you really are.
So is there anything that can get rid of lines on the upper lip besides Botox? Some options you can explore are dermal fillers, chemical peeling, laser skin resurfacing, dermabrasion, microneedling, or something as simple as skincare products. All of these options must be approved by your dermatologist or skin specialist first.
Learn More: How Many Botox Units Are Needed For Lip Lines?
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These alternative cosmetic procedures treat your facial wrinkles in different ways. Take a look at what these procedures do to treat lip wrinkles, the average cost, and the pros and cons to weigh. This can help you find out which option works best for you, so you can have abit of an idea before consulting with a dermatologist.
You’ll find many anti-aging and anti-wrinkle creams and serums in drug stores, cosmetic stores, and online shops. Your dermatologist may also prescribe skincare products that can be effective in restoring your skin’s elasticity and reducing the appearance of fine lines and lip wrinkles.
Anti-wrinkle creams and serums are a mixture of moisturizers and active ingredients that can promote skin cell growth, skin repair, or the production of collagen. Some of these ingredients can include:
When applied to the vertical lines over your lips, with time these skincare products can result in younger-looking skin that is more elastic and tauter. This can reduce the appearance of wrinkles over your lips.
Wrinkle creams are available in a wide price range. You can find drugstore skincare products for less than $20, to high-end anti-aging serums that cost upwards of a thousand dollars.
Take note, however, that higher prices do not necessarily mean a product is more effective than its cheaper alternatives. It should also be noted that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) doesn’t test over-the-counter cosmetics for effectiveness
| Pros Dermatologists can provide prescription skincare products that work stronger than over-the-counter skincare products.Can be one of the most affordable options for treating lip wrinkles.Available with different active ingredients, so you can shop around for products that best suit your skin. | Cons Over-the-counter skincare products won’t result in drastic results.This is an effective option only for younger individuals with superficial wrinkles.This won’t be effective for smokers, since the lip movement and the effects of smoking on your skin will negate the slight effects of skincare products. |
These are injectable gel substances that, when injected under your skin, can fill up smooth lines and creases. As we age, our facial skin naturally loses fat and begins to permanently crease from facial movements and expressions, which makes facial wrinkles more visible. These fillers replace lost fat and restore the area’s plumpness, making these creases and wrinkles less visible.
Dermal fillers will be injected into strategic places above your upper lip. These fillers fill in the vertical lines and wrinkles while providing a fuller-looking lip. As a result, your upper lip looks plumper while the fillers soften the wrinkles forming in the area.
Dermal fillers can range from $500 to $800 for a 1 milliliter injection. The older you are, the more dermal fillers you’ll need per session, especially if you want to treat multiple areas in your face.
| Pros Provides a subtle but natural result.Fillers also contain hyaluronic acid, which can help with the production of collagen.On top of softening your lip wrinkles, it can also make your lips look plumper | Cons Lower quality dermal fillers can last as little as 6 months, making it impractical for those who need multiple dermal fillers.The procedure can have varying degrees of pain, especially if you have a fear of needles.Injections can risk bruising blood vessels, which can lead to bruising and skin discoloration for weeks. |
Chemical peels can be done at home or at your local aesthetic clinic, but if you want the best results, it’s best to have it done by a professional. There are three levels of chemical peels, but the medium and deep peels can help treat fine lines and deeper wrinkles. These chemical peels use acids to remove a uniform amount of skin cells, paving the way for new healthy skin cells.
When applied, chemical peels remove uniform layers of damaged skin cells down to the middle layers of skin. After your skin heals, it is replaced with newer, younger skin that can reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines with its elasticity and tightness.
The average cost of a chemical peel in an aesthetic clinic is $644. DIY home chemical peels are cheaper, but they don’t have the same effectiveness in treating deep wrinkles.
| Pros One of the most effective treatments for deep lines, as it penetrates the inner layers of the skin.Can also treat acne scars, sunspots, freckles, and deeper scars.Only requires one session, compared to other procedures that require multiple injections or multiple sessions spread out over months. | Cons Those with darker skin colors have a higher risk for discoloration and scarring, so this procedure is best for those with lighter skin.Not the best treatment for people with delicate skin, as it could result in blistering, crusting, and scarring.Chemical peels technically wound the skin and can take up to two weeks for your skin to fully heal. |
Similar to chemical peels, laser skin resurfacing involves removing older skin to make way for younger, tighter skin cells. Aside from removing skin, lasers stimulate collagen growth as the heat promotes the growth of collagen growth.
Laser resurfacing comes in two types of laser treatments: ablative and non-ablative lasers. Non-ablative lasers can heat up the area above your upper lip. The heat is enough to promote collagen growth. This increases the amount of collagen in the area, helping your skin become more elastic and reducing the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.
During an ablative laser procedure, a laser is used to create a uniform injury to the treatment area. This removes the outer layer of old skin cells that have reduced amounts of collagen. The heat of the laser also promotes collagen growth. A few weeks after treatment, the skin that grows back in its place has more collagen to keep your skin taut and elastic.
One laser resurfacing session can cost an average of $2,509 for ablative lasers and $1,445 for non-ablative lasers.
| Pros Laser skin resurfacing is non-invasive and does not require incisions, reducing the chances of scars.Aside from smoothing out wrinkles, laser skin resurfacing can also reduce pores and treat damage, resulting in younger-looking, smooth skin.Aftercare requires little to no downtime. | Cons Not ideal for those with deep lines, as this only removes the skin at a superficial level.Those with excessive sagging skin and dark skin colors are not good candidates for laser skin resurfacing.While downtime is minimal, there is a recovery period where patients can expect redness, irritation, and dry skin. |
During a dermabrasion treatment, a technician or plastic surgeon uses an abrasive device to scrape away the top layer of skin cells, which the device then vacuums away. Think of it as “sanding” your old skin away to let newer skin develop, except with a diamond wheel instead of sandpaper.
The procedure uses an abrasive diamond wheel to scrape away the outer skin and reveal a fresh layer of skin beneath. This can reduce the visibility of fine lines and wrinkles on your upper lip.
Microdermabrasion can cost around $100 to $250 per session. In total, expect to spend around $1,786 for the entire procedure spread over a number of months.
| Pros More intensive than microdermabrasion, but not as intense as chemical peels, making it ideal for superficial wrinkles.Offers a shorter recovery time.Good for all skin types and for patients of all ages. | Cons Requires multiple procedures spread out over a few months before you can see results.Recommended for patients with lighter skin. Dark-skinned patients are recommended alternatives like microneedling.Can cause irritation and scarring. |
Also known as collagen induction therapy, microneedling uses your body’s natural skin trauma response to increase collagen and elastin production. Using a microneedling tool, tiny punctures are made in the treatment area to trigger your body’s response. Microneedling can be done at home or in an aesthetic clinic, but if you’re trying to treat wrinkles, you’ll need deeper needle lengths that should only be handled by a professional.
Microneedling can help with lip wrinkles in multiple ways. First, activating your body’s skin trauma response can release more collagen and elastin into the area. This can help your skin look younger and become more elastic. Second, the holes created can help skincare products penetrate and nourish the skin better, making them more effective. However, you should avoid products with active ingredients like hyaluronic acid and vitamin C, as these can irritate your skin. Lastly, longer needles can puncture deeper into your skin. This can help repair the skin from within, reducing the effect of wrinkles.
One microneedling session can cost an average of $200 to $700. You’ll need at least 3 treatments spaced out two to six weeks each before you can see results, so expect to spend at least $600 upwards to treat wrinkles and fine lines.
| Pros More affordable than the other treatments.Minimally invasive procedure that can reduce the appearance of wrinkles.Does not involve chemicals and lasers, so it’s available to patients of all skin types. | Cons Comparatively slower to show results compared to other lip wrinkle treatments.Bleeding is highly likely for microneedling sessions with longer needles.Not ideal for patients with active skin infections (like acne and eczema) or those with sensitive skin. |
Botox is a safe procedure, but if you’re uncomfortable with the process, you’ve still got plenty of options to get rid of those unsightly lip wrinkles above your upper lip. Weigh out the costs, pros, and cons, and talk to a dermatologist to see which treatment works best with your skin type, skin color, and age, among other factors.
At Aesthetica, we offer advanced aesthetic treatments for next-level facial rejuvenation. We offer various procedures that result in natural and younger-looking skin. Schedule an appointment at our medical spa today.
Aesthetica can assist you with all your beauty needs, helping you achieve your maximum beauty and aesthetic potential. Call or contact us today to learn more about our cosmetic services.
