As you age, you may start to notice downturned lines on either side of your mouth appearing, these are called nasolabial folds but are also referred to as lip lines, laugh lines or smile lines. You may also have vertical lines running from your nose to your top lip – a common concern amongst both smokers and non-smokers.
Nasolabial folds are caused by repeated facial expressions over time, during which our facial muscles contract and we develop the common signs of ageing (facial wrinkles) such as crow's feet, frown lines, marionette lines, forehead lines and other lines and deep wrinkles. Botox treatments can make a significant difference, but the best results can be achieved with a combination of dermal fillers and Botox injections.
A number of factors can lead to lip lines.
Alongside general ageing and a loss of collagen and elastin, excessive sun exposure, smoking, and dehydration are all key contributors.
Women tend to be affected more than men due to a thinner dermal layer and less hair in the upper lip area.
Lip lines can be successfully treated with Botox and other brands of botulinum toxin; an injectable product that has the power to smooth wrinkles.
Botox is an anti-wrinkle injection that will help to relax the muscle that surrounds the lips (orbicularis oris) and prevent excessive creasing when pursuing your lips.
Age is not a factor for lip lines. While most patients are between the ages of 35 and 60, they can affect anyone. If your lines are fine at the moment, treatment could help them get worse.
On the other hand, if you have deep lip lines, then you may also benefit from dermal filler or laser therapy.
Under-18s are not allowed to undergo treatment for lip lines in the UK.
A topical anaesthetic is usually applied prior to this treatment and Botulinum toxin injections are strategically placed to reduce the appearance of the lines around your top lip.
Treatment is quick; usually less than 30 minutes, and doesn't hurt; you will simply feel a 'sharp scratch' when the needle goes in.
There may be some redness and swelling, which will calm down a few hours after treatment.
Results will take two weeks to become fully apparent and should last between three to six months.
On average, Botox for smile lines treatment can cost anywhere from £200 upwards. The price usually depends on where in the country you're having treatment and how experienced your practitioner is.
Be safe when choosing a practitioner – it's worth paying a bit more to see someone with experience!
Side effects to Botox and other brands of botulinum toxin are rare, but can include:
Degree of lip incompetency (difficulty blowing balloons and sucking on a straw)
Slight numbness in the upper lip
Swelling
Allergic reaction
The most dangerous complications are double vision and difficulty breathing, but these are thankfully extremely rare.
If you experience any side effects or complications, contact your practitioner immediately.
Always look for a medical practitioner who can advise you on the best treatment approach. Sometimes dermal fillers or laser therapy may be more appropriate, depending on the severity of your lip lines.
We highly recommend that you only undergo Botox for smile lines treatment with a medically-qualified professional, who will have undergone training in anatomy and physiology, as well as be accountable to a regulatory body such as the General Medical Council (GMC), Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) or General Dental Council (GDC).
They should also be able to advise you of the risks of injectable treatment for smile lines, what the procedure involves and be confident in handling complications if they arise.
As always, if you have any questions you can use our Botox Q&A where you can ask for more advice direct from a trusted, experienced medical practitioner.
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