Also called “barcode lines” because of their vertical appearance above the upper lip, these annoying wrinkles are traditionally associated with smoking as they tend to form when you purse your lips. Drinking repeatedly through a straw can have the same effect of accelerating the formation of these wrinkles.
Fortunately, there are several treatment options for smoker lines or barcode lines.
Hyaluronic Acid Fillers
Hyaluronic acid fillers are usually the best treatment option for fine lines above your lips. They offer smooth, natural-looking results, but can easily be dissolved if needed for any reason. Hyaluronic acid fillers for smoker lines tend to last about six months before maintenance treatment is needed.
Botulinum toxin injections
Botulinum toxin injections such as BOTOX®, Dysport®, Xeomin®, Jeuvea®, Daxxify® and others are commonly used to temporarily erase barcode lines above the upper lip. However, the downside of using botulinum toxin injections around the mouth is that it may result in abnormal mouth movements, drooling, or an odd smile.
CO2 laser treatments
CO2 laser skin resurfacing treatments work by removing the superficial layer of skin without damaging surrounding tissue, thus triggering your skin’s natural healing process and collagen production. However, there are downtimes associated with this treatment and there may be side effects such as scarring and permanent skin pigmentation issues.
Anti-aging care
Many people choose to combine topical anti-aging skincare ingredients with in-office treatments, such as hyaluronic acid fillers, to achieve the best results in treating barcode lines. Virtually all skin types can benefit from using a vitamin C serum in the morning and a retinoid In the evening.
However, you need to work retinoids into your skin gradually when you first use them. You can also put lip balm on your lips to protect them from retinoids that might rub off on your pillowcase at night.
For more skincare tips and tricks, follow Baumann Cosmetic on YouTube or @BaumannCosmetic on Instagram or Facebook.
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