One of the signs of aging that most often affect women is the so-called Barcodeor what is the same, that small vertical wrinkles that form around the lips and they usually appear around age 40. As with dark circles and puffiness, several factors can influence their appearance, including genetics, diet, lifestyle, or skin care. The sensitivity and thinness of the skin in this area, added to these causes, cause cupid’s bow loses definition and elasticity over time, such that the outline of the lip fades. But how can we prevent this? What treatments are currently available to eliminate wrinkles around the lips? To answer all these questions, we turn to the Dra. Gema Pérez Sevilla, maxillofacial surgeon and expert in aesthetic medicine for the face.

The causes of the appearance of the barcode

As we mentioned earlier, several factors come together in the barcode’s appearance. “On the one hand, the thinning of the skin in this area plays a fundamental role, so it is more sensitive to ultraviolet radiation, which can cause premature aging of the lips. It may also be due to a atrophy of the muscle of the buccal region and that happens mainly through the passage of time. This translates into a thinner and less pulverized lip,” says Pérez Sevilla. To which he adds: “an atrophy of the upper bone jaw can occur, caused by” the lack of calcium that occurs mainly in women due to hormonal changes of menopause. Dental changes can also affect the appearance of the lips and thereby alter their contours, causing wrinkles. Another factor to consider is: tobacco. A smoker can exacerbate or induce the appearance of the barcode by the simple fact of the repetitive gesture made when the cigarette smoke is inhaled.”

How to avoid barcode?

“The cosmetic products formulated with active ingredients such as retinoic acid help reduce fine lines and wrinkles. In addition, the active vaso-constructors improve blood circulation in the area to prevent bar code formation. This becomes more important in smokers. Vitamin C plays a fundamental role when it comes to brightening up the mouth and evening out skin tone,” says the doctor. Plus, it reminds us of the importance of hydration. The hyaluronic acid, ceramides, squalane, provitamin B5 or niacinamide They help maintain moisture levels, prevent water loss and slow down the skin’s aging process.

Aesthetic Treatments To Remove Barcode Wrinkles

Fractionated CO2 Laser

It is one of the most requested treatments in Dr. Perez Seville. “This procedure consists of: renew the top layer of the skin (epidermis) to reach the superficial dermis or middle dermis. In this way, the wrinkles of the lips or barcodes are eliminated, creating new skin that will grow in the first week after the treatment. This new skin will be fuller, denser and smoother, with better thickness, vascularization and therefore healthier and more beautiful. After the first two or three months, the texture and thickness improve, even up to the sixth month.”

Laser lift lip

dr. Pérez Sevilla clarifies that it is “one” surgical technique, minimally invasive, which appeals to the area of ​​the upper lip to pronounce its curvature, defines the cupid’s bow and decreases the distance between the nose and the bow. A small cut under the nose, remove excess skin making the lip look too long. Then, using the CO2 laser, the orbicularis muscle is contracted to restore the concave curvature. This in turn pulls the lip up to thicken and enlarge the red part of the lip. Finally, an invisible intradermal suture is applied to prevent scarring.

Hyaluronic Acid Infiltrations

When are they recommended? “In case of a decrease in volume in the muscle of the lips, it will be treated expand the muscle-skin connection with hyaluronic acid infiltrations. When the wrinkles are filled with this active substance, we manage on the one hand to push the skin attached to the muscle and on the other hand to put a cushion between the skin and the muscle. In other words, we prevent dynamic wrinkles from forming when gesticulating”. As the specialist indicates, this procedure improves both dynamic and static wrinkles.

facial gymnastics

Wrinkles around the lip contour can also be tackled in a more superficial way through facial gymnastics. “This treatment does not work on muscle strength, but it does benefits its expansion through the gesture of inflating the mouth of the air. In addition, local massages will promote lymphatic drainage and improve microcirculation in the area.”

Anti-wrinkle creams for the lip contour

If you prefer to avoid aesthetic treatments and seek extra help to smooth out the wrinkles around the lips, here is the top 10 creams anti-aging With which you can also fight bags, dark circles and crow’s feet in addition to lips that appear around the eye contour. What else do you want?