Volume loss is an inescapable part of the aging process. As people grow older, their natural collagen production declines and their existing collagens stores begin to break down. Nowhere is this more evident than at the lips.
Not only can the lips take on a decidedly thinner appearance, but they can also develop deep grooves that radiate outwards from the mouth. These grooves are known as perioral wrinkles and they’re prone to capturing and collecting lipsticks and lip liners to create an unbecoming look.
The good news is that there are many ways to slow the effects of aging at your lips. With the tips below, you can maintain a full and sensual pout for many years to come.
Combat Thinning Lips With Proper Hydration and Good Nutrition
The most effective anti-aging strategies often start from within. If you’re doing all that you can to promote the natural health of your skin and soft tissues, then you’re bound to look younger than someone who’s not. One easy way to preserve volume at your lips is by keeping your body properly hydrated.
When you’re dehydrated, your body allocates most of its available water stores for supporting important functions such as respiration and digestion. When it’s water-deprived, it doesn’t make aesthetics a high priority. That’s why people who don’t drink enough water often have dry, brittle hair, skin, and nails.
The good news is that you don’t have to chug down a gallon of water each day to maintain a bright, glowing complexion, or get skin and lips that are full, dewy, and soft. Much of the water that your body needs can be obtained from fresh, nutrient-dense foods. Not only are fresh fruits and vegetables great sources of hydration, but they’re also packed with skin-supporting phytonutrients and antioxidants.
Drinking a reasonable amount of water each day, eating more colorful produce, and limiting your consumption of dehydrating beverages like soda, coffee, and energy drinks are all excellent ways to keep your lips looking full and healthy.
Don’t Smoke
Smoking cigarettes expedites the age-related breakdown of your natural collagen stores. In fact, smokers are far more likely to develop noticeable perioral wrinkles than non-smokers are. That’s why these creases are frequently referred to as “smoker’s lines.”
Not only will quitting slow down volume loss at both your lips and the remainder of your visage, but it can even reverse some of the signs of facial aging that you’ve already experienced.
Use Lips Moisturizers That Seal Hydration In
Choose a quality moisturizer for your lips and use it regularly. The best products contain ingredients like petroleum jelly, shea butter, and cocoa butter that actually trap moisture in.
Just as you’re diligent in applying skin products that have a suitably high SPF rating, you also want to make sure that your lip balm or lip gloss offers this protection as well. Sun damage can have a marked and progressive impact on the overall look and volume of your lips. Luckily, many lip balms contain sunscreen.
Consider Using Lip Fillers To Restore Lost Volume
Injectable cosmetic fillers are now being used to augment, refine, and reshape the lips. Filling up lips continues to be a popular aesthetic procedure among people with naturally thin lips or lips that are uneven in shape. However, they’re also great for staving off age-related volume loss.
The best fillers for this purpose are high-quality solutions that are largely comprised of hyaluronic acid (HA). HA-based fillers work by attracting and retaining water molecules once they’ve been inserted into the skin. Not only does this produce a noticeable plumping effect across the treatment area, but it also completely hydrates the lips from the inside out.
Invest in Cosmetic Procedures That Cause Controlled Skin Damage
Surprisingly, nothing works better for rejuvenating damaged and aging skin than purposefully causing more damage. Cosmetic procedures that cause controlled skin damage are meant to stimulate the body’s natural healing abilities. If you have significant volume loss at your lips, consider treatments like:
- Micro-needling
- Derma rolling
- Mild chemical peels
These methods can completely rejuvenate your lips. When these procedures are performed at greater depths, they can even produce long-term gains in supporting collagen.
For instance, micro-needling both remodels existing collagen stores and causes the body to speed up its production of new collagen. Also known as collagen induction therapy, this treatment can additionally lighten excessively dark-colored lips, smooth out perioral wrinkles, and minimize the appearance of many mild to moderate blemishes.
Being proactive about preserving volume at your lips is important. Your pout is one of your most noticeable facial features. When it’s full, unlined, and youthful-looking, skillfully applying make-up will be easier, and you can proudly show it off wherever you go.
