Lip Lines Treatment Brisbane | Laser for Lip Wrinkles, PDO Threads and Cosmetic Treatment

What Causes Upper Lip Lines?

Upper lip lines, also known as “smoker’s lines,” form a natural part of the ageing process due to volume loss around the mouth, skin changes, and repeated expressions. Key contributors include:

• Volume Loss: Natural ageing reduces volume in the muscles, fat, and skin layers around the mouth, leading to thinner lips and less support for a firm lip border.
• Skin Quality Decline: As skin collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid diminish, the skin becomes more vulnerable to creasing and movement-related damage.
• Repeated Movements: Expressions such as pursing and puckering cause wear and tear, creating creases that deepen into lines over time.

In addition to intrinsic factors, external factors like sun exposure, smoking, sugar intake, alcohol, and stress can accelerate the development of these lines. Oestrogen decline during perimenopause and menopause further accelerates this ageing process.

Smoking and “Smoker’s Lines”

Although often associated with smokers, these lines aren’t exclusive to them. Smoking can increase the risk in two ways:

1. Smoking promotes inflammation, leading to premature ageing.
2. Repeated lip pursing while smoking hastens creasing in the lip area.

Why Men Tend to Avoid Lip Lines

Men usually have fewer lip lines due to naturally thicker skin, higher collagen levels, and facial hair around the mouth area. These factors provide structural support, even with natural volume loss, preventing skin creasing and deep line formation.

Types of Upper Lip Wrinkles

Upper lip wrinkles are classified into two main types: dynamic and static.

• Dynamic Wrinkles: The first indications of lip lines, these “movement wrinkles” appear during facial expressions like lip pursing and are typically a result of volume loss in the lips and surrounding tissues.
• Static Wrinkles: These wrinkles are visible even when lips are at rest, progressing over time from repeated movements and skin thinning.

The treatment approach depends on the type and severity of the lip wrinkles. Volumisers, Tixel, and retinoid creams are among the most popular and effective treatments.

PDO Threads for Lip Lines

PDO threads offer an innovative, non-surgical solution for upper lip wrinkles by targeting dynamic and static lines around the lips. These fine threads are placed beneath the skin, creating an immediate firming effect that limits excessive movement and prevents further creasing. Over time, PDO threads stimulate collagen production, providing a long-lasting lift and improving the skin’s texture and elasticity. Originally introduced as part of the Korean V-lift technique, PDO threads have become popular for addressing lip lines, effectively reducing wrinkles, and creating a smoother appearance. PDO thread treatments are often combined with other approaches to enhance their rejuvenating effects and achieve optimal results.

Volumisers for Lip Lines

Collagen-Stimulating Treatments
Collagen-stimulating treatments like PDO threads, retinoid creams, and microneedling enhance collagen growth and skin renewal, targeting static lip lines. These treatments provide subtle rejuvenation and promote long-term skin texture and resilience improvements.

Laser Resurfacing & Tixel for Upper Lip Lines

CO2 laser resurfacing and Tixel heat treatments are highly effective for treating upper lip lines. These methods work by resurfacing the skin, removing damaged cells, and promoting collagen production to achieve smoother, firmer skin. CO2 laser resurfacing has long been the gold standard, particularly for significant sun damage or deep smoker lines. At the same time, Tixel has emerged as a gentler, more affordable alternative with reduced downtime. Both options repair surface damage and improve skin elasticity by stimulating collagen. Additional options, such as erbium laser resurfacing, RF microneedling, PRP, and skin needling, further enhance the results of these treatments. Combining laser resurfacing with volumisers can provide optimal results, as the combination addresses both structural support and surface texture, helping restore a youthful, natural look to the upper lip area.

Wrinkle Treatment for Dynamic Lip Lines

Dynamic lip lines, which appear with facial expressions like smiling or pursing the lips, can be effectively managed with wrinkle treatments and volumisers. These treatments work by softening lines caused by repeated muscle movements, helping to restore a smoother appearance around the upper lip. Volumisers provide subtle structure and support, reducing the depth of lines without adding unnecessary fullness, making them an ideal option when dynamic lip lines are more prominent.

Menopause and Upper Lip Lines

As menopause approaches, upper lip lines become more prominent due to accelerated collagen loss and cumulative sun damage. This phase of life brings changes that can speed up skin ageing, especially around delicate areas like the upper lip. Dr Anastasia offers specialised consultations on managing menopause-related upper lip lines and creating a personalised and comprehensive treatment plan. Booking a consultation is the ideal first step to explore treatment options and develop a tailored approach for a smoother, rejuvenated look.

Retinoids (Vitamin A) for Skin Quality
Prescription retinoid creams, derived from Vitamin A, remain the gold standard for addressing wrinkles, acne, and melasma. Retinoids enhance collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid production in the skin, reducing fine lines, improving texture, and preventing further ageing. Our doctors recommend retinoids as a foundation in age-prevention and age-reversal routines.

Combining Treatments for Optimal Results

An integrative approach combining volumisers, PDO threads, and collagen-stimulating treatments yields the best results for treating dynamic and static lip wrinkles. Each treatment targets a different aspect of wrinkle formation for a comprehensive rejuvenation effect.