Lip wrinkles may occur around the
upper lip and sometimes around the chin (the perioral area). Smoking
sundamage, and aging can contribute to these changes. These areas
do not respond to facelifts and need one of the treatments listed
below to achieve an improvement.
Botox is one of the newest ways
of dealing with wrinkles. When injected along the lip line, it
can soften tight lines and enhance laser peels. Botox is a purified
nerve blocker which has been used for more than ten years to treat
eye muscle spasms in thousands of patients. In the last several
years it has been used for cosmetic patients to diminish wrinkles.
Botox may require several injections to obtain the desired effect
Additional injections are needed at two to three month intervals
to maintain the results.
Dermabrasion is a standard technique
used for many years to actually "sand" away lines and scars. As
with chemical peels, changes in skin pigment may occur. The results
around the mouth have generally been extremely effective.
Chemical peels have also been used
commonly for years to peel off the outer layers of skin. The peels
can be superficial or deeper. Aggressive peeling has been associated
with permanent color changes of the skin, however many patients
have been satisfied with the improved smoothness of their skin.
Laser peels may currently provide
the safest most consistent results in achieving smooth skin. Prolonged
redness has been a problem for some patients in the past, however,
newer lasers and post treatment skin care are also providing quicker,
better results. Lasers have largely replaced the other methods
of smoothing skin and reducing fine wrinkles.
