3 Things That Age Your Lips
Posted January 08, 2018 in Lip Injections
Having plump, smooth lips is a commonly sought-after beauty ideal. As we age, our skin loses volume due to a decrease in moisture levels and the natural degradation of collagen and elastin. This can cause thinning of the lips as well as fine lines and wrinkles around the mouth. Other factors can accelerate the effects of aging on the lips and cause them to lose volume more quickly. Fortunately, maintaining proactive lip care can help slow down the aging of the lips and even rejuvenate their appearance.
1. Genetics
The natural aging process can cause the lips to lose youthful volume, which makes you appear older. Collagen is responsible for keeping the lips plump and soft. When your body is not producing as much of this protein due to age, your lips become smaller and more prone to wrinkles.
2. Excessive Sun Exposure
It’s no secret that excessive sun exposure contributes to aging of the skin, and your lips are even more susceptible to those effects. Lips do not have melanin, which makes them vulnerable to ultraviolet (UV) rays and sun damage. Not only can UV rays break down collagen and lead to early signs of aging, but they can also increase your risk of skin cancer.
3. Smoking
Smoking affects the lips in a couple of different ways. It can trigger collagen and elastin destruction, which consequently lead to sagging skin, fine lines, and wrinkles. Additionally, smoking involves repetitive use of specific muscles around the lips, creating telltale “pucker lines.”
Preventative Measures
Although there’s not much that can be done about genetics, the other two causes of aging are entirely avoidable. Preventative measures include:
- Wearing a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher on your lips daily
- Quitting smoking
- Lip-plumping products containing ingredients that make the lips swell temporarily
- Cosmetic treatments to plump the lips:
For more information about how you can prevent early signs of aging around your lips or to schedule a lip enhancement consultation with Dr. Koch, please call 716.631.1220.