How To Get Rid of Upper Lip Wrinkles

A dermal filler is a solution typically containing hyaluronic acid, such as Restylane or Juvederm. The solution is injected directly into the lips and the surrounding area. A new product called Volbella is a dermal filler specifically designed to improve wrinkles around the lip lines. The temporary hyaluronic acid filler corrects fine lines around the lips and enhances the lips in general. The effect of a dermal filler can last anywhere from 3 months to 2 years depending on the type of product used and where it is being injected. The average cost in the United States for a single syringe of dermal filler is $500 to $800.

Chemical peels use a solution to remove the top layer of skin and replace it with a new, younger-looking layer. This facial treatment is well-suited for the upper lip area. Studies have shown that a chemical peel can continue stimulation of new collagen for up to 8 months after a single application. Since the mouth is one of the most active areas on a person’s face, it is often one of the first to start showing lines. The average U.S. cost for a chemical peel treatment was $669 in 2018. Whatever type of chemical peel your doctor recommends, you will likely need to take some time off from work for your recovery.

Laser resurfacing is done by a plastic surgeon or dermatologist. It is an outpatient procedure which means you will not be required to stay overnight. The doctor will numb the areas to be treated with a local anesthetic and may also sedate you. Treating just parts of the face, such as the upper lip area, takes about 30 to 45 minutes. After the procedure, the doctor will bandage the treated areas. You will need to clean the treated areas four to five times a day and then apply an ointment such as petroleum jelly to prevent scabs from forming.

The procedure stimulates new collagen and skin regeneration. Patients and doctors often describe the sensation felt during laser treatments to a rubber band snapping against the skin.

However, what laser resurfacing really feels like will depend on the type of laser used, the depth of treatment, what part of the face is being treated, and a person’s own tolerance to pain. Ablative laser resurfacing involves the actual removal of outer layers of skin and may require local anesthetic injections or intravenous sedation.

Other laser resurfacing treatments are non-ablative, meaning the laser passes through the skin without removing any layers. This type of procedure requires just a topical numbing cream and very little, if any, pain. The average U.S. cost for ablative laser skin resurfacing in 2018 was $2,071 and the average non-ablative resurfacing was $1,144.

Dermabrasion is similar to a light chemical peel but uses abrasive materials on a rotating brush instead of chemicals. The procedure is done under sedation and may require more than one treatment. The average U.S. cost for dermabrasion in 2018 was $131.

Micro needling involves the use of a roller covered with tiny needles that puncture the skin and, by doing so, stimulate collagen production and tightening of the skin. The process typically involves three to six treatments spaced out two to six weeks each with the average cost per session being $200 to $700.

Injecting small amounts of Botox into the lip area is another way to reduce lines and wrinkles in the upper lip area. The treatment relaxes the orbicularis oris muscle, which surrounds the mouth, without weakening actual mouth movement. One round of injections typically lasts about three months and costs an average of $397 in the United States, according to 2018 figures.

Platelet-rich plasma or PRP injections are increasingly being used to help treat sports injuries and help wounds heal after surgery. However, doctors continue to conduct research on the effectiveness of PRP in reducing wrinkles. The process involves drawing blood from the body and using a machine to separate the platelet-rich plasma from the rest of the blood. The doctor numbs the area to be treated with PRP prior to the injection. The platelets help release growth factors which are compounds that contribute to human cell repair and renewal. PRP treatments done on the face are sometimes called “vampire facials.” However, the jury is still out on whether facial PRP injections consistently improve signs of aging. PRP treatments are either done as a solo procedure or in combination with microneedling.