Upper lip lines appear as we age and aren’t actually always  the result of smoking, as many people may think. They appear due to repetitive movement as well as collagen decline. This is usually worsened as the lip volume decreases, and the body of the lip is no longer holding the skin taut, so it begins to sag a little. Let’s delve into what barcode lip lines are, what causes them, and explore the best treatments and skincare practices to improve their appearance.

What are barcode lip lines?

Barcode lip lines, also commonly referred to as lipstick lines, smoker’s lines, or perioral lines, manifest as thin, vertical wrinkles that appear above the upper lip and, occasionally, around the lower lip. These lines can significantly impact the smoothness and youthful appearance of the skin around the mouth, making lipstick application a challenge as the product tends to bleed into these fine lines.

What causes barcode lip lines?

As the skin matures, a decline in collagen and elastin levels occurs, leading to diminished elasticity. This is particularly noticeable in the area above the upper lip, a region frequently stretched when speaking or smiling. Over time, this decline in elasticity prevents the skin from returning to its original state, causing it to fold into fine wrinkles known as barcode lip lines.

Barcode lines tend to be much more obvious in smokers because smoking is appallingly bad for directly ageing the skin. Smoking will affect the skin all over your body, but these lines are some of the first to show up on the face, which is why they’re often thought of as smoker’s lines.

Another reason that barcode lines are more visible in smokers is that the repetitive pursing of the lips around a cigarette or holder puts extra stress on the skin of the lips. So do other pursed-lip activities, such as drinking through a straw, and whistling.

Barcode lip lines also show up more as lip volume decreases, as the decreased bulk of the lip no longer holds the skin taut, allowing it to droop slightly. Consequently, any form of enhancement in the upper lip area can often mitigate the prominence of these fine vertical lines by restoring tension to the skin.

What is the best treatment for upper lip lines?

There are a variety of ways to treat the upper lip lines. Let’s take a deeper look at some of the most effective options…

Dermal Fillers

By precisely injecting small quantities of filler along the lines and lip border without increasing the volume of the lips. Alternatively, we can add filler to the body of the lips to increase their volume, which stretches the skin subtly and ultimately reduces the appearance of lip lines. This approach necessitates the use of a more substantial amount of filler than solely injecting the lines and lip border. Some practitioners may employ a combination of both techniques.

Skin Boosters 

Skin boosters hydrate the skin from within. They also encourage the skin to regenerate from within and produce more of its own collagen (which gives it firmness) and elastin (which gives it springiness) and even tighten the skin a little, all of this is great news for reducing the appearance of upper lip lines.

Energy-based Treatments

Skin tightening treatments, such as Profound RF have a direct effect on the skin. The heat generated in the skin by these treatments makes the collagen contract — so you get a small shrink-wrapping effect — then, over time, the treated area produces more of its own collagen, which will strengthen the skin and makes those annoying barcode lip lines less apparent.

Polynucleotides

Polynucleotides are like tiny Lego blocks that make up DNA and RNA, which are regarded as the instruction manuals for living things. They carry important information that tells our cells how to work and grow. When injected, they work to regenerate your skin from within, increasing hydration, elasticity and collagen production to firm the skin and improve lines, wrinkles and overall skin quality. They are a very effective solution for upper lip lines.

What about skincare?

Peptides

When applied topically through skincare products, peptides penetrate the upper layers of the skin, where they go to work by stimulating the skin’s natural repair processes. This includes encouraging the production of collagen, which is vital for plumping the skin and smoothing out wrinkles and fine lines.

Retinoids

Regular use of retinoids accelerates cell turnover, diminishing the appearance of fine lines and improving skin texture.

Sunscreen

Daily application of a broad-spectrum sunscreen protects the skin from further UV damage, slowing the ageing process.

Vitamin C serums

Incorporating antioxidant-rich skincare products, such as those containing vitamin C, can help combat free radical damage and support skin health.