Barcode wrinkles are vertical and oblique lines on the lips, starting at the lip border and extending into the upper lip area.
These wrinkles, also known as smoker’s lines or “sun pleats”, age the mouth area and the smile.
Wrinkles above the lips are commonly referred to as lip wrinkles, smoker’s lines, or barcode wrinkles.
These terms refer to wrinkles that appear over time on the upper lip due to various factors, including skin aging.
To reduce lip wrinkles and prevent their appearance, it is recommended to adopt a suitable skincare routine, avoid smoking and sun exposure, and possibly perform facial gymnastics exercises.
It is possible to smooth the lip contour without surgery.
Lip wrinkles, often called “barcode” wrinkles, are caused by a combination of factors contributing to skin aging.
Lip wrinkles, also known as “smoker’s lines”, can be more or less pronounced.
Each level of severity requires a specific approach. A personalized treatment plan will be proposed during a consultation with doctor Romano.
Stage 1 : mild lines
Characteristics
• Appearance of fine lines around the lips.
• Wrinkles are only visible when the lips move, such as during smiling or frowning.
• The skin around the lips may begin to lose slight elasticity.
Recommended treatments
• Skincare with moisturizing creams and serums containing retinoids or hyaluronic acid.
• Mild peels to stimulate cell renewal.
• Hyaluronic acid injections such as Skinbooster to prevent new wrinkles from forming.
Stage 2 : moderate wrinkles
Characteristics
The fine lines become more pronounced and visible even at rest.
Fine lines can begin to merge, forming more visible wrinkles.
Loss of elasticity and firmness around the mouth.
Recommended treatments
• Medium peels to exfoliate skin layers and stimulate collagen production.
• Hyaluronic acid injections to smooth wrinkles and restore lost volume.
Characteristics
Wrinkles are deep, well-defined and permanently visible.
The skin around the lips is considerably less elastic and thinner.
Skin folds may appear due to the significant loss of volume and elasticity.
Recommended treatments
• Deep peels to treat deep wrinkles and improve skin texture.
• 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, pronounced wrinkles, often accompanied by deep skin folds.
The skin around the lips is very thin, with a significant loss of firmness and volume.
Wrinkles can extend to the cheeks and chin.
Recommended treatments
• Deep chemical peels for deep skin renewal.
• Hyaluronic acid injections to restore volume and fill very deep wrinkles.
• Non-surgical facelift techniques to improve skin firmness and overall appearance.
Wrinkles around the lips can be treated with aesthetic medicine techniques. The proposed protocol will take into account possible age-related changes in the lips, such as :
It is advisable to consult a dermatologist, cosmetic surgeon, or aesthetic doctor to receive personalized treatment tailored to each skin type.
The proposed treatments for these wrinkles may aim either for improvement or complete removal.
In the latter case, doctor Romano will suggest a medium-depth peel. This procedure is quite intense and often discouraged due to the visible skin demarcation post-treatment between the area around the mouth and the rest of the face.
Improvement is achieved through hyaluronic acid injections and laser sessions.
hyaluronic acid used for this indication is cross-linked and minimally volumizing, as it involves very precise correction.
Doctor Romano chooses Skinbooster.
A poorly performed injection in this area can lead to the formation of a visible lump of product when the lips move and/or at rest.
Hyaluronic acid, naturally present in our bodies, has the ability to attract and retain water, which helps to hydrate the skin and fill in 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 :
Results last around one year. An annual maintenance session is therefore recommended.
The treatments offered at Dr. Romano’s practice in Geneva are performed exclusively by the doctor, using certified products and state-of-the-art equipment. The price depends on the chosen method, the number of sessions required, and the type of treatment.
During the first consultation, an examination of the area is carried out to establish a personalized treatment plan. The results aim to restore a smooth and naturally rejuvenated appearance to the lip contour, without visible alteration.
The indicative prices for the treatment of lip wrinkles 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 their 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.
As with any medical treatment, there may be side effects. The most common are redness, swelling, bruising and temporary sensitivity. It is important to consult a qualified professional to minimise these effects.
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 useful for optimum results. For example, hyaluronic acid and botox injections can be combined to treat both static and dynamic wrinkles. Your doctor will be able to advise you on the best treatment plan for your needs.
The duration of the effects varies according to the treatment chosen.
Hyaluronic acid injections: results last 12 months.
Botox: results last 6 months.
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.
Yes, nicotine contributes to the appearance of wrinkles.
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.
The appearance of wrinkles around the mouth can be reduced by maintaining good hydration, eating a diet rich in antioxidants, and practising facial exercises. Applying natural oils, such as argan oil or sweet almond oil, can also help improve skin elasticity.
Smoking accelerates skin ageing by reducing the production of collagen and elastin. What's more, the repetitive sucking motion during inhalation contributes to the formation of wrinkles around the mouth.
The best treatment depends on the type and depth of the wrinkles. Hyaluronic acid injections are very effective for deep wrinkles. Laser treatments or chemical peels can also improve skin texture and reduce more superficial wrinkles.
