While we wish our lips were exempt from the aging process, they – like the rest of the face – change as we get older. Over time, our skin naturally loses collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid – and our lips are one of the first areas of the face to see the impact. Wrinkles often appear, extending vertically from the mouth, and our lips slowly lose their shape and definition as the fat underneath disappears.   

Beyond the natural aging process, however, several factors can contribute to aging of the lips:   

Smoking (and Straw-Sipping)

The repeated motion of puckering your lips to take a puff leads to wrinkles around the mouth – otherwise known as “smoker-lines”. However, smoking isn’t the only culprit behind these types of lines. By frequently sipping drinks through a straw or a reusable water bottle, you can also cause wrinkles to form around the mouth. And if you need another reason to quit these habits besides the fact that they accelerate aging, think about how they affect the environment. Save the whales!  

Genetics

Genes play a big role in how we age. And while you can mitigate this factor to some extent by taking excellent care of your pout, our genes are just one of those things beyond our control. On the bright side, we can get an idea of what to expect by looking at how our family members have aged.   

Sun Exposure

Did you know the skin of your lips is thinner and contains less melanin, making it more vulnerable to damage from the sun? You don’t have to be at the beach to be exposed to harmful UV rays, either. Exposure to the sun while running errands, driving around town, or even walking out to the mailbox can be detrimental to your lips. 

How to Preserve the Youthfulness of Your Pout

We don’t know about you, but we want to keep the dreaded “zipper” lips at bay for as long as possible. While we can’t stop time from ticking, we can slow down the aging process by giving our lips the same TLC as the rest of our face. By incorporating the following tips into your daily routine, you can maintain a youthful pout and keep your lips healthy and happy:   

Hydrate (like it’s your job)

PSA: our lips do not contain oil glands that help to keep skin soft and moisturized, unlike the rest of our face. This means it’s extra important to keep your lips hydrated to avoid flaking and delay pesky fine lines from forming. We recommend drinking plenty of water and adding hyaluronic acid to your skincare regime SkinMedica’s Smooth & Plump Lip System for gentle exfoliation and super hydration. Trust us, your lips will thank you!   

Take Protection Seriously

Sunburns and skin cancer are no joke, so it’s important to use a lip sunscreen that has a moisturizing SPF lip balm. Remember to reapply every two hours to keep your lips protected. However, be cautious when choosing a lip balm and check the ingredients before buying. Avoid products that contain camphor eucalyptus, mint, cinnamon, peppermint, fragrance, menthol, lanolin, and oxybenzone. Great-tasting lip balms can also lead you to lick your lips, which in turn dries them out.   

Gently Exfoliate

Regularly exfoliating your lips can eliminate some of the dry, flaking skin that builds up. Consider using a light scrub, like SkinMedica’s AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser, to immediately restore shine, softness, and smoothness to your pout.  

Try Filler or Botox

Looking for a longer-lasting solution to thinning lips? Lip fillers can create a subtle and natural-looking pout that lasts longer. Some popular options include RHA 2, RHA Redensity, and JUVÉDERM® Ultra, as well as SKINVIVE™ by JUVÉDERM® for hydrating the lips. If you’re not ready for fillers, you can also try a “lip flip,” which involves injecting Botox® above the upper lip to give you a fuller pout. 

At Timeless, we understand that aging is a natural process, but it doesn’t mean you can’t look your best. We offer a range of treatments to help you maintain your pout’s youthful appearance, and our team will work with you to determine the best treatments for your needs and help you achieve your lip goals. Schedule a consultation with us today to learn how you can address the signs of lip aging and rejuvenate your appearance!