Wrinkles around the mouth, also known as barcode lines, are vertical wrinkles located above the lips that gradually appear over time and are promoted by skin ageing, smoking, sun exposure, repeated lip movements and the progressive loss of volume. They make the smile appear older and give the area around the mouth a more creased and less defined appearance.
To reduce lip wrinkles and help prevent their appearance, it is recommended to adopt an appropriate skincare routine, avoid smoking and sun exposure and, if desired, perform facial exercises.
It is possible to smooth the lip contour without surgery.
In Geneva, their treatment is based on a personalised approach that may combine hyaluronic acid injections, fractional laser treatment and, in some cases, chemical peels, depending on the depth of the wrinkles and the quality of the skin. The objective is not only to fill the wrinkles but also to improve skin thickness, hydration and the definition of the lip contour while maintaining a natural-looking result. Clinical studies show that combined treatments for the area around the mouth, particularly those involving hyaluronic acid and complementary techniques, significantly improve these wrinkles and patient satisfaction.
Key facts about barcode lines
Clinical study findings on barcode lines
Lip wrinkles, also known as barcode lines or perioral wrinkles, gradually develop as a result of skin ageing and several external factors.
Lip wrinkles, also known as "smoker's lines", may vary in severity.
Each level of severity requires a specific approach. A personalised treatment plan will be proposed during your consultation with Dr Romano.
Stage 1 : mild lines
Characteristics
Appearance of fine lines around the lips.
The wrinkles are visible only when the lips are moving, such as when smiling or pursing the lips.
The skin around the lips may begin to lose some of its elasticity.
Recommended treatments
Skincare with moisturising creams and serums containing retinoids or hyaluronic acid.
Light chemical peels to stimulate cell renewal.
Skinbooster-type hyaluronic acid injections to help prevent the formation of new wrinkles.
Stage 2 : moderate wrinkles
Characteristics
Fine lines become more pronounced and remain visible even at rest.
They may begin to merge, forming more noticeable wrinkles.
Loss of elasticity and firmness around the mouth.
Recommended treatments
Medium-depth chemical peels to exfoliate the skin layers and stimulate collagen production.
Hyaluronic acid injections to smooth wrinkles and restore lost volume.
Characteristics
The wrinkles are deep and well defined, remaining visible at all times.
The skin around the lips is noticeably thinner and less elastic.
Skin folds may develop due to the significant loss of volume and elasticity.
Recommended treatments
Deep chemical peels to treat deep wrinkles and improve skin quality.
Hyaluronic acid injections to fill deep wrinkles and restore lost volume.
Laser treatments to stimulate collagen production and improve the overall appearance of the skin.
Characteristics
Very deep and pronounced wrinkles, often accompanied by deep skin folds.
The skin around the lips is very thin, with a significant loss of firmness and volume.
The wrinkles may extend towards the cheeks and the chin.
Recommended treatments
Deep chemical peels for intensive skin renewal.
Hyaluronic acid injection to restore volume and fill very deep wrinkles.
Non-surgical lifting techniques to improve skin firmness and overall appearance.
It is possible to treat wrinkles around the lips using aesthetic medicine techniques.
The proposed treatment protocol will take into account any age-related changes affecting the lips, including dryness and loss of colour of the vermilion, loss of definition of the vermilion border and the lips, reduction in vermilion volume, drooping of the corners of the mouth, flattening of the philtral columns and loss of definition of Cupid's bow.
The treatments proposed for these wrinkles may aim either to eliminate them or to reduce their appearance.
In the first case, Dr Romano will recommend a medium-depth chemical peel. This procedure is relatively invasive and is often discouraged because of the residual skin demarcation that may remain between the area around the mouth and the rest of the face.
Improvement is achieved with hyaluronic acid injections and laser sessions.
The hyaluronic acid used for this indication is cross-linked and provides very little volume, as this is a highly meticulous correction.
Dr Romano's choice is a Skinbooster-type hyaluronic acid.
A poorly performed injection in this area may lead to the formation of a visible ridge of product when the lips are moving and/or at rest.
Hyaluronic acid, which is naturally present in our bodies, has the ability to attract and retain water, helping to hydrate the skin and fill wrinkles.
Two techniques are used.
The principle of fractional laser treatment is to ablate micro-fragments of skin in order to stimulate skin cells to produce thicker skin.
Improvement is therefore achieved through both the superficial “polishing” of the wrinkles and the dermal densification that stretches them.
If the treatment is performed in fractional mode (only a percentage of the area is treated), the protocol involves 4 sessions. The intense redness following the procedure lasts from three days to one week.
If the treatment is performed in continuous mode, only one session is needed. This corresponds to a medium-depth laser peel. Downtime lasts approximately two weeks.
Lip wrinkles are effectively reduced through aesthetic medicine treatments.
The results include :
The results last for approximately one year. An annual maintenance session should therefore be planned.
In Geneva, the price of a lip wrinkle treatment with hyaluronic acid is CHF 600 per syringe, a Skinbooster costs CHF 400 per syringe, an ablative fractional laser treatment starts at CHF 400 per session, and a medium-depth chemical peel costs CHF 800 for one session.
The treatments offered at Dr Romano's practice in Geneva are performed exclusively by the doctor, using certified products and the latest-generation equipment. The cost depends on the chosen technique, the number of sessions required and the type of treatment.
During the initial consultation, the area is examined in order to establish a personalised treatment plan. The aim is to restore a smooth, naturally rejuvenated appearance to the lip contour without any visible alteration.
The indicative fees for lip wrinkle treatments are :
Patient reviews of lip wrinkle treatments, whether with laser or hyaluronic acid injections, are generally very positive.
These treatments are widely appreciated for their effectiveness, safety and ability to rejuvenate the lips.
Patients are satisfied with the immediate improvement in wrinkles and report increased self-confidence.
The procedures are considered simple and quick, with long-lasting results.
Comme pour tout traitement médical, il peut y avoir des effets secondaires. Les plus courants sont les rougeurs, les gonflements, les ecchymoses et une sensibilité temporaire. Il est important de consulter un médecin experimenté pour minimiser ces suites.
No, although smoker's lines are more common in smokers, other factors such as sun exposure, natural ageing and repeated facial expressions can contribute to their appearance in non-smokers.
Yes, combining several treatments can be beneficial to achieve optimal results. For example, hyaluronic acid injections can be combined with laser treatment. Your doctor will be able to recommend the most appropriate treatment plan based on your needs.
The duration of the effects varies according to the treatment chosen.
Injections d’acide hyaluronique : les résultats durent 12 mois.
Laser resurfacing and chemical peels: results can last for years, depending on the type of treatment and the extent of the wrinkles.
A few tips to prevent smoker's wrinkles.
Oui, la nicotine contribue à l’apparition des rides. Les mécanismes impliqués sont les suivants :
Smoker's wrinkles, also known as perioral wrinkles or "barcode wrinkles", are vertical lines that appear around the mouth. They are particularly common in smokers due to repetitive lip movements and exposure to harmful chemicals.
Most aesthetic treatments for lip wrinkles are well tolerated. An anaesthetic cream may be used for the patient's comfort. It is normal to feel a slight temporary sensitivity after treatment.
To treat wrinkles around the mouth, it's essential to choose a cream specifically formulated to target the signs of ageing in this delicate area. Here are some key ingredients to look for in a effective anti-wrinkle cream :
Yes, quitting smoking considerably improves skin health.
Il est possible de réduire l’apparence des rides autour de la bouche en maintenant une bonne hydratation, en ayant une alimentation riche en antioxydants, et en pratiquant des exercices faciaux. L’application d’huiles naturelles, comme l’huile d’argan ou d’amande douce, peut aussi aider à améliorer l’élasticité de la peau.
Fumer accélère le vieillissement de la peau en réduisant la production de collagène et d’élastine. De plus, le mouvement répétitif de succion lors de l’inhalation contribue à la formation de rides autour de la bouche.
Le meilleur traitement dépend du type et de la profondeur des rides. Les injections de comblement à base d’acide hyaluronique sont très efficaces pour les rides profondes. Les traitements au laser ou les peelings chimiques peuvent également améliorer la qualité de la peau et réduire les rides plus superficielles.
