Facial Ageing
Fine vertical lines that form on and around the lips from lip movement, aging and sun exposure.
Physician-led assessment · individualized care · Vancouver clinic
Understanding Perioral & Smoker’s Lines
Often the first sign is your lipstick feathering into tiny lines above your lip, or a close-up photo where those vertical creases suddenly stand out. They're one of the most common things people point to when they sit down with us.
The skin around your mouth is thin and almost always moving. The ring of muscle that purses your lips folds it thousands of times a day, and over the years sun and natural collagen loss make it less springy, while the lips themselves lose a little fullness and support. Most lip lines come from a mix of these, which is why a gentle, layered approach works so well here. And despite the name, lifelong non-smokers notice them too; smoking simply speeds them up.
Causes and Contributing Factors
These lines develop from a combination of factors. Repeated contraction of the orbicularis oris muscle that purses the lips, together with actions such as drinking through straws or, historically, smoking, folds the thin skin above the lip. Cumulative sun exposure and the natural loss of collagen and elastin thin the skin and reduce its resilience, while volume loss in the lips and surrounding tissue removes structure. The name smoker's lines reflects that smoking speeds up the process through both repeated pursing and its effects on skin, though people who have never smoked also get these lines.
Signs and Symptoms
Assessment
Injectable treatments are performed by our experienced physicians, and laser resurfacing is planned with our senior laser technicians. Our cosmetic consultants may help with your initial assessment, and your treating physician confirms the plan for any injectable. We watch your mouth at rest and as you talk and purse your lips, to see how much of each line comes from movement, from thin or sun-damaged skin, and from lost lip support. We'll also look at your skin tone and sun history, then build a plan around your goals, your schedule and your budget.
Cosmetic consultations are complimentary.
Prevention and Ongoing Care
The lip area does well with simple daily care. An SPF lip balm and sunscreen around the mouth protect collagen, a gentle retinoid or peptide product used around (not on) the lips refines texture between visits, and a nourishing balm keeps the lips supple. Stopping smoking helps any treatment last. Our team can suggest a routine, and our professional skincare is available in our online shop.
Treatment Options
These are some of the options connected to this concern. The appropriate plan depends on assessment, suitability, and your goals.
We usually combine a few gentle steps, each matched to what's behind your lines.
Our experienced physicians perform the injectable treatments and intensive Secret PRO CO₂ treatments. Lighter laser treatments are performed by our senior laser technicians under the medical direction of Dr. Gidon Frame. Each option has its own schedule and recovery, explained on its technology page.
Uses botulinum toxin type A to temporarily relax selected muscles, softening dynamic lines and helping certain muscle- or sweat-related concerns.
Uses injectable fillers to restore or reshape facial volume and contour, selected for the structure and balance each area needs.
Controlled laser energy that renews the skin surface and stimulates repair, helping soften texture, scars, fine lines and sun damage.
For the fuller picture, explore the treatment pages above or discuss the options during a consultation.
Many patients need only one of these. Your plan combines them only when a combination adds to your result.
Medical Assessment
See a doctor promptly for any sore, ulcer, white or red patch, lump or lesion on the lip or in the mouth that hasn't healed within a couple of weeks. Persistent changes in this area are best assessed first.
Frequently Asked Questions
People who have never smoked get perioral lines too, from natural aging, sun exposure and repeated lip movement. Smoking speeds the process up, which is where the name comes from. Whatever the cause, the same gentle treatments help.
Laser resurfacing can suit many skin tones, and pigment change is a particular consideration for darker skin, so settings and technology are chosen with your skin type in mind. In some plans, fillers and neuromodulators lead and laser plays a smaller part. We'll explain the approach that suits your skin.
The skin around the mouth is thin and moves constantly, so we use small, precise amounts and often combine skin, support and movement treatments. Building results gradually keeps your smile and speech looking natural. Individual results vary.
Physician Assessment
An assessment can help clarify what may be contributing, which options may be appropriate, and what a reasonable next step could look like for you.
Visit Our Clinic
Anti-Aging Medical & Laser Clinic combines medical assessment, individualized planning, physician oversight, and a broad range of treatment options in its Vancouver clinic.
Bring your questions, treatment history, and goals. Your provider can help you understand appropriate options, expected recovery, and realistic outcomes.
Make an Appointment
Use our consultation form below and the clinic can guide you toward the appropriate starting point.
