How to Reduce Wrinkles Around Lips
Wrinkles around the lips, technically referred to as perioral wrinkles, are among the first signs of visible aging, as the mouth and its surrounding skin are delicate and experience a lot of movement. Such wrinkles can have a significant effect on the appearance. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to reduce wrinkles around the lips. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Consider the cause of the wrinkles. Understanding the cause will help you to make the optimal decision for corrective and preventative treatment. Wrinkles, of course, occur naturally with age, and are a result of collagen (the skin's natural protein responsible for its thickness, elasticity and suppleness) declination in the skin. However, there are plenty of factors that deepen wrinkles and/or cause them to appear prematurely. Smoking is a significant cause of wrinkles, especially those around the mouth. Drinking alcohol is another cause of premature wrinkles. Quit these habits to begin repairing the appearance of wrinkles around the lips.
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Moisturize and protect the skin from sun exposure. Dehydrated skin exhibits more wrinkles, so keep be sure to apply a serum and moisturizer daily. Serums penetrate the skin's surface to deliver benefits, so find a serum that has antioxidants to fight off further skin damage from free radicals (such as sun exposure). Moisturizers keep the surface of the skin supple and offer effective anti-aging ingredients. Vitamins C, E, B, K and A are crucial for good skin, so look for moisturizers that include these ingredients.
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Use skin care products that include Retin-A or Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA). (These ingredients won't be paired together, as they are ineffective when combined.) These are anti-aging skin care ingredients that work to restore youthfulness by sloughing off old skin cells and triggering new cell growth.
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Consult a dermatologist. Before undergoing any cosmetic treatment that is more aggressive than the aforementioned over-the-counter treatments, it is important that a dermatologist examine your skin to cite any treatment contraindications and provide knowledge and recommendations for treatment options.
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Consider a chemical peel. This type of treatment is effective for ridding wrinkles and restoring a youthful appearance. Chemical peels vary in strength. The strongest peel will provide the most dramatic effects, yet yield the longest recovery time for the skin, while mild chemical peels will have less redness and swelling after treatment, yet less dramatic results. Dr. Joanna Day of the Dr. Joanna Day Laser and Dermatology Center suggests that light chemical peels are ineffective for treating wrinkles around the lips, so a moderate to strong peel might be best.
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Research types of laser treatment. There are plenty of types of laser treatments that are FDA-approved and highly effective for ridding wrinkles, such as Fraxel, Pulsed Dye Laser (PDL), and Nd: YAG. Consider other skin concerns when making your decision, since lasers are also effective for correcting skin discoloration, shrinking visible pores, and tightening the skin. (See "Resources" for more information on laser treatment options.)
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Consider facial fillers. Facial fillers, such as Restylane and Juvederm, are cosmetic injections, but are different than Botox, which paralyzes muscles with a toxin. Fillers are made of either collagen or hyaluronic acid (both natural skin components) that "fill" in wrinkles. (See the Forbes.com article under "Resources" for more information on fillers.)
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Tips & Warnings
An effective moisturizer is particularly important for people who live in dry, windy climates.
Avoid "home" chemical peels. The chemical solutions used in these peels are too dangerous to take your chances with. It's much safer to receive this type of treatment at a dermatologist or plastic surgeon's facility.
Be thorough in your laser treatment research, as some types of lasers risk hypopigmentation (white skin patches) in darker skinned patients.
