Lips and Aging

In our minds, old age equals wrinkles, stiff joints, and white hair or balding. But what about thinning lips? Many people do not realize that lips are a telltale sign of age that can make us look much older than we are if they are not properly taken care of. The lips are actually more sensitive to wrinkles than the other skin on our face, and we can care for our lips to help us looking younger.

As with regular wrinkles on our face, the skin breaks down as we age due to thinning skin that is no longer plump and smooth. Lips naturally have thinner skin than the rest of our face, which makes them more susceptible to a loss of hydration and the formation of crinkles. Because lip skin ages much faster than the rest of our skin, we should take pains to promote lip health.

First, avoid things that cause you to purse your lips. This can break down the fibers that keep your lips smooth and plump. This is why people who have smoked a lot during their lives tend to have “smoker’s wrinkles” around the lips. Additionally, drinking through a straw for long periods of time can cause the same lines.

Next, keep your lips hydrated. Lips are easily forgotten when we put sunscreen on our faces. Thus, they are exposed to things like wind and the sun, which zap the moisture right out of our lips. This lessens the smooth, plump appearance of kissable lips. Lastly, putting on lip balms help replenish the moisture lost to the elements.

Contact Us

Because thin, aged lips can make you look older than you really are, many people are turning to lip plumpers such as fillers or implants. If you are concerned about the state of your lips, or have other skincare concerns, please contact Austin facial plastic surgeon Dr. Apostolakis today at 512-329-8989.