Perioral wrinkles at a glance
- What they are: nasolabial folds, smoker’s (perioral) lines, marionette lines and chin folds – the most common signs of ageing in the lower third of the face
- Causes: loss of collagen, elastin and volume, facial expressions, sun exposure, smoking and the naturally thinner skin in this area
- Treatments: hyaluronic acid fillers, Botox, laser treatments and chemical peels, according to an individual plan
- Downtime: minimal or none, depending on the treatment
- Price: see the price list
Why do wrinkles around the lips form?
The area around the lips plays a key role in facial expression – every smile, word or movement of the lips activates this zone, which is why the first wrinkles often form right here. They result from the combined action of internal and external factors: with age, the levels of collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid naturally decline, the skin becomes thinner and drier, and the changes reach the deeper structures too – the loss of fat pads and support in the lower third of the face.
External factors accelerate the process further: unprotected sun exposure, smoking, pronounced facial expressions, stress and insufficient hydration. The skin in this area is naturally thinner and more prone to damage, so its ageing becomes visible earlier than on the rest of the face. That is why timely treatment matters – the earlier the problem is recognised, the more natural and long-lasting the result.
Types of wrinkles around the lips and how they differ
Nasolabial folds run from the nose towards the corners of the lips. At first they are visible only when smiling, but as support in the mid-face declines – through the loss of cheek volume and the sagging of soft tissues – they become deeper and present even when the face is at rest.
Smoker’s lines (perioral or „barcode“ lines) are fine vertical lines above the upper lip. They form due to frequent and strong muscle activity around the lips, and they are not reserved for smokers – they also appear in people with pronounced facial expressions, thin skin or a genetic tendency towards faster loss of elasticity.
Marionette lines run from the corners of the lips diagonally towards the chin and give the face a sad or tired expression. They arise from the loss of skin elasticity, the descent of soft tissues and the increased action of the muscle that pulls the corners of the lips downwards, combined with volume loss in the chin area.
Chin folds are not true wrinkles but the result of descending subcutaneous tissue and excess skin along the jawline – they most often appear as a continuation of pronounced marionette lines and require treatment of the entire lower third of the face.
How are perioral wrinkles treated?
The choice of treatment depends on the type and depth of the wrinkle and the condition of the skin, and several methods are most often combined:
- Hyaluronic acid fillers – the basic treatment for nasolabial folds and marionette lines: they restore lost volume in the cheek area and the lower third of the face, so the folds become shallower and the face naturally refreshed. For smoker’s lines, softer fillers are used, injected superficially, directly into the fine lines.
- Botox – gently relaxes the muscles around the lips, reducing excessive muscle activity and slowing the deepening of perioral lines, without losing natural facial expression.
- Laser treatments – Fotona laser technologies such as Fotona LipLase® and the Fotona4D® laser facelift improve the tone and texture of the skin around the lips by stimulating the production of new collagen, without needles and without downtime.
- Chemical peels – renew the surface layer of the skin, soften fine lines and even out the texture of the area around the lips.
Skin regeneration treatments for the perioral area
In addition to correcting wrinkles and volume, the firmness and quality of the skin are supported from within by biorevitalisation, mesotherapy, PRP treatment and polynucleotides. These treatments hydrate, nourish and renew the skin and stimulate collagen production, so wrinkles become less visible and the effects of other treatments last longer. The best results are achieved with a combined approach, planned individually during the consultation.
We view the lips and the area around them as a single unit: a gentle correction of lip volume with hyaluronic acid often completes the treatment, because fuller lips provide support to the surrounding skin and additionally soften fine lines.
How much does the treatment of perioral wrinkles cost?
The price depends on the type of treatment and the individual plan – see the price list; the exact plan is determined during the consultation.
Frequently asked questions about perioral wrinkles
Are smoker’s lines reserved only for smokers?
No. Although more common in smokers, they also appear in people with pronounced facial expressions or thinner skin – the key factors are repeated lip movements and the loss of skin support.
Do the treatments change natural facial expression?
Not when performed correctly. The goal is not a „frozen“ expression, but softening the excess – the face keeps its character, with a more rested and refreshed look.
How long do the effects last?
It depends on the method: hyaluronic acid fillers usually last 12 to 18 months, Botox several months, while laser and regenerative treatments build the result gradually. A maintenance plan is made individually.
When is the right time for the first treatment?
As soon as you notice the first fine lines that remain visible when the face is at rest – early intervention gives more natural and longer-lasting results.
Read more
- Hyaluronic acid fillers: restoring volume and filling wrinkles
- Fotona LipLase®: fuller lips without needles
- Botox: softening expression lines
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