Over time, skin loses its elasticity. For those who often smile, laugh lines around the mouth, also known as marionette lines, can become more pronounced than other wrinkles, contributing to an older appearance. These lines tend to deepen over time and do not disappear easily. Therefore, it’s crucial to take preventive measures before they become prominently visible.
The Aging Mouth Wrinkles
Wrinkles naturally occur as we age, especially when the skin on the face loses its elasticity, leading to sagging cheeks and lines around the mouth. However, since these wrinkles are in the center of the face, they are highly noticeable and can cause concern once they show.
What Causes Aging Around the Mouth?
Wrinkles quickly form around the mouth because this area has less moisture and sebaceous glands, thinner skin, and the structure of the surrounding blood vessels and muscle fibers makes it prone to deeper wrinkles. This area frequently uses facial muscles, so it’s more prone to wrinkles and requires meticulous care.
Avoid Using Straws
To help prevent wrinkles around the mouth, consider avoiding using straws when drinking beverages. The repeated puckering required to drink from a straw can accelerate skin aging and make wrinkles more likely to form. Instead, try drinking directly from wide-mouthed bottles or cups to reduce the strain on the skin around your lips.
Avoid Smoking and Drinking Alcohol
Cigarettes contain toxic substances that accelerate skin aging, and holding a cigarette in your mouth can contribute to the formation of marionette lines. Alcohol dilates the tiny blood vessels in the skin, causing moisture to evaporate quickly and leading to wrinkles. If you must drink, eat foods high in water content and drink plenty before bed and after waking up to prevent skin dryness.
Avoid Using Skincare Products Containing Alcohol
Using skincare products containing alcohol on the skin around the mouth is the fastest way to dry. When alcohol evaporates, it can also take away the moisture in your skin, leading to dryness and the risk of wrinkles. Wrinkles can quickly form when the skin is dry, so keeping the skin hydrated is essential. Applying skincare soon after washing the face can help.
The Importance of Proper Sleeping Posture
What’s your most comfortable sleeping position? Unconsciously sleeping on one side can press on your face, particularly your cheeks, and stimulate the wrinkled areas, deepening marionette lines and lines around the mouth. Instead of sleeping on one side or stomach down, it’s better to sleep on your back, looking up at the ceiling to prevent wrinkles and promote deep sleep.
Stretching with “A-E-I-O-U”
Regularly relaxing and flexing the muscles around your mouth can help prevent them from becoming stiff. Stretching these muscles reduces stress on the skin during sudden facial expressions and enhances facial flexibility. Additionally, facial acupressure is particularly beneficial for addressing lines around the mouth and marionette lines, potentially doubling the effectiveness of these practices in maintaining smoother, more supple skin.
Does Botox Work?
Botox injections around the mouth can cause discomfort when speaking or eating, even if only a tiny amount is used. There can also be side effects, such as the area around the mouth looking unnatural if the Botox does not suit the individual. Therefore, unlike other places, the mouth is often treated more comprehensively, using only a tiny amount of Botox, if it is used at all.
What About the Effects of Filler Treatments?
Another method, apart from Botox, is to alleviate symptoms by adding sufficient volume to areas where the subcutaneous fat layer used to be. When the subcutaneous fat layer thickens, the muscle movement decreases, making it look like the wrinkles have eased. Volume can be added mainly by using fillers or undergoing collagen booster treatments.
Customized Treatment is Important as it Varies by Individual
The causes of lines around the mouth vary significantly from person to person, influenced by the degree of wrinkles, lifestyle habits, and genetic factors. Therefore, consulting with medical professionals is essential for personalized treatment plans. Appropriate procedures and treatments should be tailored to each individual’s skin condition and degree of aging to achieve the best results.
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