The Problem
Mouth wrinkles can be some of the most difficult to treat, since the skin around the mouth is especially delicate. Around our lips, skin gets thin, making it prone to damage and also more sensitive. Often, this skin will become dry and red if it encounters the slightest irritation. One of the most obvious contributing factors to significantly noticeable skin wrinkles would have to be smoking. Like other air born pollutants, cigarette smoke causes free radical mutations in skin cells. These, in turn, lead to the formation of wrinkles. Obviously, as a smoker, the area around your lips becomes more heavily exposed to smoke than that of an average individual, who only has to worry about car exhaust. This leads to deep lip wrinkles and mouth wrinkles. These wrinkle around the mouth are also the result of basic facial expressions. Our mouths are almost constantly in motion throughout the day, and all of this can also contribute to the formation of mouth wrinkles. Initially, you may only notice certain creases when you smile or purse your lips, but most people will find that over time these fine lines can become permanent. Finally, as the body ages, collagen production slows, which leads to a dryer skin tone and to, yes, wrinkles.
The Solution
Fortunately, there are several options when it comes to treating mouth wrinkles. Which one is right for you will depend on how severe your lip lines are and how much seeing them bothers you on a daily basis.
Of course, prevention is the best solution. To keep existing mouth wrinkles from getting worse, be sure to use sunscreen daily. Many dermatologists recommend finding a moisturizer product with an SPF of at least 15 and applying it every morning. You may not think about the incidental UV ray exposure that walking a couple of blocks in the sunshine will cause you, but cumulatively this exposure can cause skin damage. Being sure to include lots of antioxidants in your diet is another way to prevent mouth wrinkles. Fresh fruits and vegetables tend to be rich in vitamins like vitamin A, vitamin C and vitamin E, all of which combat free radicals. It’s a bit more experimental, but some dermatologists also recommend breathing relaxation techniques to treat mouth wrinkles specifically. The rationale here is that people tend to “carry tension” in there jaws, which can lead to tensed lips and, ultimately, lip wrinkles. Certain breathing techniques can relax the jaw and face muscles, reducing wrinkles caused by holding these muscles tensed for extensive periods of time.
Finding a wrinkle treatment proven to boost the body’s collagen production is another way to take care of mouth wrinkles. These days, many creams make use of well-researched, cutting edge peptides such as Matrixyl 3000 that have a measurable effect on mouth wrinkles.