Smokers lines symptoms & causes

Free Consultation

Treatments

Conditions

Give £50, Get £50

★★★★★
Over 59,645 patients agree
The Harley Street Skin Clinic

The symptoms

Smoker’s lines are fine and superficial but may become more noticeable as we age.

They typically appear above or below the upper lip area and are most easily seen when you smile or pucker your lips.

Smoker’s lines show up as a few straight lines or as a web of smaller wrinkles around the mouth.

When to see a doctor?

Consultation Is The Key

When should you be worried?

Smoker’s lines don’t require immediate medical intervention, but if they bother you or impact your confidence, it’s a good idea to seek professional advice. A dermatologist at Harley Street Skin Clinic can advise on treatments and options that would help smooth the fine vertical lines, improve your skin and stimulate collagen production.

Advised treatments

Botox

Face Treatment

Lip-filler

Face Treatment

Chemical-peels

Face Treatment

The causes

What causes smokers lines?

As you age, it’s perfectly natural for lip lines to develop. This is due to our skin reducing collagen and elastin production, proteins that help keep the skin smooth, plump, and hydrated.

Other factors, such as alcohol, poor sleep, smoking and sunlight increase lip wrinkles in the skin and can accelerate wrinkles around your lips.

The risk factors

What makes smokers lines more likely?

The below are contributing factors to the development of smokers lip lines:

Ageing: With aging, skin loses collagen and elastin, which form lines
Genetics: Others have thinner skin, which means they are more susceptible to wrinkles, including smoker’s lines
Dehydration: Dry skin can cause smokers’ lines to appear deeper
Lip products: Lipsticks or cosmetics can often be drying or irritating and help enhance smoker’s lines

The complications

Hidden Dangers

Can it be a serious problem?

It can affect some people’s perception of their appearance, making them feel older or less confident.
As time goes on, these lines can make skin around the mouth appear uneven or textured.

Around the mouth area, smoker’s lines can give aged looks.
These lines can cause makeup to settle into them, which in turn can make the wrinkles more pronounced.

The prevention

Quit Smoking

Does quitting smoking prevent smoker’s lines?

Does quitting smoking prevent smoker’s lines?
Yes, if you smoke, quitting smoking is the best way to prevent smoker’s lines from worsening. Smoking destroys collagen and limits blood flow to the skin. Quitting cigarettes is also good for your skin and reduces the rate at which wrinkles form.

What happens to the skin after quitting?

Your skin begins to heal when you quit smoking. While it does not remove lines, it can give a more even skin tone and prevent the appearance of future lines. Skin can look fresher over time, and any treatments you decide to try may also be more effective.

Keep Your Lips Sun Safe

Why is it harmful?

Excessive sun can destroy collagen and elastin, and generate new wrinkles, including smoker’s lines. Wearing sunscreen every day even on cloudy days protects your skin and may help prevent early signs of ageing around the mouth.

The best way to protect your lips from the sun

Wear an SPF lip balm, and reapply often specifically when outside. Add a wide-brimmed hat or find shade when the sun is at its strongest. This one simple habit does wonders to prevent lip lines from deepening.

Stay Hydrated

Can drinking water really help with wrinkles?

Yes, hydration keeps skin plump and soft. So when your body is deficient in water, your skin might appear dry and dull, which can make wrinkles appear more prominent. Sufficient water intake daily helps glow skin inside out.

Keep in mind

Aim for at least 6 to 8 glasses of water each day, more if you’re active or in a hot climate. Eating water-containing foods like fruits and veggies can also help your skin to hydrate naturally.

Healthy Skin Habits

What skin products are beneficial?

Products with beneficial ingredients such as retinol, peptides, and hyaluronic acid can aid skin texture and firmness. Gentle exfoliation and daily moisturising also keep skin supple and diminish the appearance of fine lines.

Habits to avoid

Avoid harsh products that can dry you out as well, and try not to rub at your mouth and surrounding area too much. Gentle care through a simple, consistent routine builds your skin’s strength and youth over the years.

Limit Repetitive Lip Movement

Do habits like sipping through straws cause wrinkles?

Doing the same lip movements time after time, such as sipping through straws or frequently puckering your lips, can lead to fine lines. These motions wrinkle the skin and as time goes on, those lines can become permanent.

Reducing these movements

You should be drinking directly from cups, not straws, and especially avoiding lip puckering in general. Making small changes to your daily habits can help keep the skin around your mouth smooth for longer.