Why Do Our Lips Get Thinner With Age?
Nurit Rozenblat
Skin & Wellness Magazine
There are changes in the face that happen so gradually that we almost do not notice them.
Until one day we look at a photo from ten or twenty years ago and discover that our lips looked a little different then. The upper lip was fuller, the outlines clearer, and even the smile looked different.
It is not only a loss of volume. The lips, just like the rest of the face, go through an aging process that affects the skin, the muscles and the tissues around the mouth.
So what really happens to our lips over the years, and can we preserve their natural appearance?
Where does the lips' volume go?
Our lips contain soft tissues, blood vessels, connective tissue and muscles that give them their shape and movement.
Over the years, several changes take place at the same time.
Collagen production in the skin decreases, elastin fibers undergo changes, and the tissues supporting the lips gradually lose some of their flexibility and volume.
The structure of the face also changes. The bones and tissues around the mouth go through aging processes, which affect the support of the lips and the way they look.
The result can be thinner lips, less defined outlines and a change in the ratio between the upper lip and the lower lip.
Why does the upper lip sometimes look as if it is disappearing?
One of the interesting changes that occur with age is a gradual lengthening of the area between the nose and the upper lip, called the philtrum.
When this distance lengthens, the red part of the upper lip may look smaller, especially from the front.
This is one of the reasons why even women who never had particularly thin lips may feel that their upper lip has become less prominent.
And sometimes it is not only the lip that changes, but also the way it is exposed when smiling.
And what is the connection to menopause?
Estrogen has a role in maintaining skin function, moisture levels and processes related to collagen.
During menopause, when estrogen levels drop, the skin may become drier, thinner and less elastic.
These changes can also affect the lip area and the skin around the mouth.
However, thinning of the lips is not caused only by hormonal changes. It is part of a complex process that includes genetics, age, sun exposure and changes in the structure of the face.
Why do fine lines appear around the mouth?
The vertical fine lines that appear above the upper lip are sometimes called “smoker's lines”, but they can definitely appear in women who have never smoked as well.
Every time we speak, drink, smile or purse our lips, the muscle around the mouth works.
At a young age the skin is more elastic and easily returns to its previous state. Over the years, as elasticity decreases, expression lines may become more permanent.
Smoking and prolonged sun exposure can accelerate the process.
Are thin lips necessarily dry lips?
No. These are two different things.
Lips can be thin but soft and moist, or full but dry and cracked.
The skin in the lip area is especially delicate, and its protective barrier is different from that of the facial skin. That is why it is more sensitive to dryness, wind and environmental conditions.
Dry lips may look less smooth and less full temporarily, but applying moisture does not restore volume that was lost due to changes in the tissue structure.
Can hyaluronic acid restore volume to the lips?
Hyaluronic acid is a substance that exists naturally in the body and is capable of binding water.
In skincare products it is mainly used to improve moisture, and can make the lips look smoother and fresher temporarily.
But it is important to distinguish between hyaluronic acid that is applied to the skin and a filler that is injected into the lips.
A serum or balm with hyaluronic acid can improve the feeling of moisture and the appearance of dryness, but they do not create a significant and permanent addition of volume.
Injecting hyaluronic acid can add volume and change the outlines of the lips, but it is a medical procedure that carries risks, including swelling, lumps, infection and in rare cases a blockage of a blood vessel that can cause damage to the tissues.
That is why it is important to have injections done only by a trained medical professional who knows the anatomy of the area well.
And what about products that promise full lips within minutes?
There are products that contain ingredients such as menthol, cinnamon or irritation-stimulating substances, which cause a tingling sensation and temporary swelling.
This swelling does not stem from building new collagen or restoring the tissue, but from a local response of the skin.
I am less fond of the idea of deliberately irritating the lips just to make them look fuller for a short time.
Especially when the skin is sensitive, the result may be dryness, burning or inflammation.
Can we preserve the appearance of the lips without injections?
It is definitely possible to improve the appearance of the lips and keep the skin around them healthy, even if the aging process cannot be stopped completely.
A few simple habits can help:
- Sun protection: use a lip balm with SPF 30 and above, especially when staying outdoors.
- Daily moisture: choose a product that helps keep the moisture and prevent dryness and cracking.
- Care for the skin around the mouth: ingredients such as niacinamide, hyaluronic acid and suitable retinoids can improve certain aspects of the skin's texture. Retinoids are intended for the skin around the lips, and not for the lip mucosa itself.
- Avoid licking the lips: saliva evaporates quickly and can worsen dryness.
- Stop smoking: smoking harms collagen and accelerates the appearance of fine lines around the mouth.
Can facial exercises restore volume to the lips?
Countless exercises can be found online that promise to lift the lips, fill them or restore their youthful appearance.
But as of today, there is no strong scientific evidence that lip exercises restore the volume lost with age.
The facial muscles are important for movement and expression, but strengthening them does not replace the changes that take place in the collagen, the soft tissues and the structure of the face.
And to finish — not every change needs to be fixed
I think the lips are one of the most interesting areas of our face.
They take part in almost everything we do: speaking, laughing, smiling, eating, kissing and expressing emotions.
Over the years they change, just like the eyes, the cheeks and the rest of the face.
I am in favor of care, in favor of keeping the skin, and in favor of every woman's ability to choose what is right for her.
But I also believe that not every natural change requires a correction.
Sometimes well-cared-for, soft and healthy lips look wonderful even if they are no longer as full as they were at twenty.
And our smile? It is still the first thing people see.
Skin & Wellness Magazine | OrOrgani
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