Blog: May 2025
The sun is here and I really hope it stays. Spring and summer are my favourite seasons
Just a reminder if you have a big event to plan ahead. It can take 2 to 4 weeks for treatments to have their full effect and you don't want to get caught short or not have enough time for any adjustments if needed.
I will take a few short breaks to hopefully enjoy some time in the sun (if it doesnt disappear) with my family in June and July. My full calendar is available online to allow you to plan and choose time slots that suit you.
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PRODUCT CHANGES FOR SUMMER
Short recap from previous newsletters: Summer skin can act differently as there are different environmental stressors.
SPF is your friend. Ensure you apply enough - face, neck, ears and hands. Anti-oxidants: in particular Vit C can be great if you are someone who suffers from pigmentation.
Moisturizers: A lighter cream or serum can be sufficient as your skin may no longer feel as dry.
If in doubt, book in for a consultation and I will be more than happy to personalise your skin care to suit your needs.
Consultation
And now for the science bit: Perioral lines/Smokers lines
What are they? Why do they happen?
How do I prevent them? How do I fix them?
Perioral lines, often referred to as “lip lines” or “smoker’s lines,” are the fine vertical wrinkles that appear around the mouth, particularly on the upper lip. Though they may start subtly, they can deepen over time, making lipstick bleed and the face appear older than it feels.
Why Do They Happen?
Several factors contribute to the formation of perioral lines:
• Aging: As we age, collagen and elastin levels drop, reducing skin elasticity and volume.
• Repeated Movements: Puckering the lips (from talking, sipping through straws, smoking, etc.) repeatedly creases the skin. This may even be a habit you do regularly but have never noticed.
• Sun Exposure: UV damage breaks down collagen and speeds up skin aging.
• Smoking: Nicotine reduces blood flow and oxygen to the skin, leading to premature wrinkling.
• Genetics: Some people are more prone to fine lines because of inherited skin structure. Women are more prone to these than men because of differences in the skin and fat that support facial hair, which can also act as a physical barrier.
• Tooth Position: Some people have to use a lot more muscle action to close their mouth. This can be because of the position of their teeth, the size of their teeth, or the position of their jaws. Every time they speak or swallow, they constrict the muscle around their mouth forcefully, which in time deepens these lines.
But why vertical lines?
This is because of the muscle architecture. The green muscle highlighted to the left is the orbicularis oris muscle. It acts as a sphincter muscle to close the mouth and form a seal when talking or swallowing. It is a circular muscle, so the skin gets bunched inwards as it contracts, forming these vertical lines that are deeper towards the lips than at the edges.
How Can I Prevent Them?
While you can't stop time, you can take steps to delay or minimize the appearance of perioral lines:
✅ Use SPF Daily and Physical Protection like a visor or hat – Protect your skin from sun damage year-round.
✅ Quit Smoking – If you smoke, stopping can dramatically improve skin quality.
✅ Avoid Drinking Through Straws – Reduce repetitive puckering.
✅ Incorporate Retinoids and/or other antioxidants – Vitamin A derivatives help boost collagen production.
✅ Hydrate Your Skin – Moisturizers and hydrating serums keep the skin plump.
Hate them, so how do I FIX THEM!
If you are already seeing these fine lines appear but they are not yet deep,
Microneedling can be an excellent choice. I would recommend checking the device used in clinic as they are not created equally. Skinpen and Dermapen would be the two big brands. Microneedling creates tiny microtrauma in the skin. As the skin heals, collagen and elastin is produced and the lines fade. The reason the device is important: if the trauma to the skin is not properly controlled, best case it just doesn't work, worst case you are left with scarring.
Mesotherapy: this is a mixture of non-crosslinked hyaluronic acid and accessory vitamin and minerals. It works in two ways: 1) the fluid hydrates the skin, and the hyaluronic acid will stimulate collagen and elastin, as will these accessory vitamins and minerals. 2) micro-needling effect from the device or needle used acts as described in the paragraph above.
Deeper Lines:
Viscoderm Hydrobooster: This is one of my hero products for deeper lines and I'm not sure how I ever worked without it. It is a lightly crosslinked hyaluronic acid. Small amounts are injected under the skin, where they are needed most. Due to its crosslinking, it remains in the skin for longer, allowing for a better healing process. It does this without bulking or extending the lip. This is a powerful tool so a small amount around the lip is plenty. The remainder can then be injected into other areas of the face to improve the skins elaticity, texture and appearance.
Dermal Filler: For the right patient, this can give incredible results. It is particularly useful if the lines have become very deep and there is a loss of volume in the lip as well. As we age, our red lip gets smaller and thinner. Dermal filler provides a small amount of support and more importantly hydration, while also tackling those pesky lines. Don't fear the filler moustache or Marge Simpson look - when placed properly the results can be beautiful.
Are there any downsides? As this is a very vascular area, bruising can/does occur so I would always advise planning ahead. You can put make up on 24 hours later - concealer and lipstick to reduce the appearance of any bruises, but I would advise against it 2 or 3 weeks before any big event.
