Smoker lines often appear on the skin around the mouth due to collagen loss. Smoking aggravates the wrinkles on the skin. Read on to learn about smoker lines and how to get rid of them using skin boosters, Botox, Retinol, and chemical peels.
Most people believe that smoker lines only affect people who smoke. However, this could not be any further from the truth, as smoker lines can also develop due to premature or expected skin ageing. Also, they often disrupt the aesthetic appearance, run from the corners of your mouth, form wrinkles, and enhance a cracked facial appearance. Various techniques are used to reduce smoker lines. For example, skin boosters are effective in lowering smoker lines. Other people opt for Retinol or Botox injections which alleviate wrinkles and enhance facial plumpness, besides improving facial hydration. Chemical peels can exfoliate your skin, reducing wrinkles and smoking lines.
What Causes Smoker Lines?
Overexposure to Harmful UV Rays
UV rays emitted by the sun are a major contributing factor to smoker lines. According to Ito et al. (2018), UV rays are highly responsible for premature ageing due to skin oxidation and the formation of fine lines and wrinkles on the skin. In addition, the skin on the lips is thinner and more delicate, and thus exposure to UV rays might severely damage it. Mohiuddin & Abdul Kader (2019) stated that people with a lighter complexion are more likely to develop smoking lines than people with a darker complexion due to the difference in the amount of melanin in their skin. Melanin is a substance in the skin responsible for skin colour and filtering UV rays to prevent skin damage.
Smoking
Smoking tobacco is a direct cause of smoking lines. Tobacco contains nicotine and other chemical compounds, which react with oxygen in the skin and result in hyperpigmentation (formation of dark spots). Moreover, nicotine and other chemical compounds in tobacco result in collagen loss, which makes the skin lose its firmness and form wrinkles. Cheng et al. (2019) stated that people who frequently smoke are more likely to have smoke lines than people who don’t.
Other Habits That Cause Smoking Lines
- Playing musical instruments
- Other lifestyle habits, like excessive alcohol consumption
- Drinking from a straw
How to Alleviate Smoker Lines
Using Chemical Peels
Chemical peels are effective in alleviating smoker lines. They reduce skin oxidation and help wrinkles form by removing dirt and bacteria from the skin. Chemical peels also enhance skin firmness, although they may require additional treatments like Botox injections to remove smoker lines completely. Chemical peels are available in various strengths, although deeper or medium peels are more effective than milder peels.
Micro-needling
Micro-needling involves several microscopic needles that improve collagen synthesis by slightly scratching the skin. The skin’s texture and elasticity are improved; thus, the micro-needles enhance the formation of newer skin cells. Micro-needling also reduces smoker lines by alleviating wrinkles, making the skin look younger and more vibrant.
Botox
Botox is an injectable substance that temporarily relaxes the facial muscles that are seen to result in wrinkles around individual eyes and forehead. It interacts with the powers of the face in the dermis and alleviates dynamic wrinkles around the mouth. Although Botox works similarly to dermal fillers, it is not considered a dermal filler since it is cheaper and lasts for a shorter duration. Furthermore, Botox injections often utilize different filler substances compared to dermal fillers. Botox reduces smoker lines by relieving muscle contractions responsible for wrinkles formed around the mouth. The effects of Botox are not permanent and often last for about twelve months.
Retinol
Retinol, a derivative of Vitamin A, is considered the ‘upper echelon’ ingredient that alleviates several skin conditions, including hyperpigmentation, fine lines, wrinkles, dry skin, and acne. Considered a strong antioxidant, it’s important to use a small amount of retinol on the skin. With time, one can gradually increase concentration for maximum results. According to Cohen et al. (2020), retinol has anti-ageing properties that improve collagen production and make the skin firmer. Clemens et al. (2018) stated that retinol has anti-inflammatory properties that alleviate wrinkles around the mouth. Fortunately, there are several retinol products suitable for your specific skin type. Retinol lotions work effectively for normal skin, while retinol serums are best for oily skin. In addition, retinol creams are more effective for people with dry skin.
Skin Boosters
Skin ageing is often caused by several factors, including environmental pollutants, smoking, and excessive alcohol consumption. In addition, skin ageing occurs when collagen production in the skin decreases, leading to the formation of fine lines and wrinkles on the skin. Skin boosters are injectable substances that restore skin hydration and enhance collagen production in the skin. Skin boosters alleviate smoker lines by improving collagen and elastin production, making the skin firmer and reducing the appearance of wrinkles. Furthermore, they improve the appearance of dry skin by enhancing skin hydration. Skin boosters can also increase facial volume and improve skin texture. Hyaluronic acid is a common substance injected into the skin to enhance facial plumpness and reduce smoking.
FAQs
Are Skin Boosters Different from Dermal Fillers?
Skin boosters have a different structure compared to dermal fillers. Although dermal fillers and skin boosters increase facial plumpness, dermal fillers are more effective in restoring lost facial volume.
How Should You Prevent the Appearance of Smoker Lines?
- Have an effective skincare routine. Ensure you utilize antioxidants that reduce the appearance of smoker lines by reducing skin oxidation caused by free radicals. In addition, ensure you exfoliate your skin regularly to remove dirt and bacteria that accumulate on your skin.
- Encourage good habits, like physical exercises that enhance blood circulation. Avoid bad habits like smoking or excessive alcohol consumption. Nicotine contains several chemical compounds that dehydrate the skin and reduce skin firmness.
- Apply sunscreen regularly since UV rays penetrate the skin and damage the inner layers, thus reducing the production of elastin and collagen.
- Eat foods enriched with nutrients such as Vitamin A, Zinc, Vitamin C, or Vitamin E. these vitamins, along with other nutrients, reduce the formation of free radicals on the skin that cause wrinkles.
Can I Hide My Smoker Lines?
Cosmetic products like foundation and liquid primers are often used to hide smoker lines. However, getting rid of smoker lines is a more suitable solution since it makes your skin glow brighter and feels younger.
Are Silicone Patches Effective for Alleviating Wrinkles?
Silicone patches are available in different shapes and sizes. They are used on various skin areas and reduce the appearance of ageing skin by relieving wrinkles.
Can Toothpaste Help with Wrinkles?
Toothpaste is a suitable home remedy for reducing the appearance of wrinkles. Although it is not common, some scientists suggest that applying toothpaste on your face and leaving it overnight reduces wrinkles and removes dirt from your face.
Conclusion
Due to a loss of collagen, smoker lines frequently develop on the skin around the lips. Additionally, vices like smoking can exacerbate wrinkles already on the skin, which could age you prematurely. To lessen smoker lines, a variety of methods are employed. Skin enhancers, for instance, work well in minimizing smoker’s lines. Other people choose to have Retinol or Botox injections, which improve skin hydration while reducing wrinkles and enhancing facial plumpness. Your skin can be exfoliated by chemical peels, which will lessen wrinkles and smoker’s lines. If you want to minimize smoker lines, have a good skincare regimen. Use antioxidants to reduce the appearance of smoker lines. Moreover, use sunscreen regularly, eat nutritious foods, and avoid bad habits like smoking and alcohol consumption.
References
Cheng, H. M., Liu, W. C., Chua, G., Liew, C. F., Li, W., Choo, W., & Oon, H. H. (2019). Impact of a pharmacy-led smoking cessation clinic in a dermatology centre. Singapore medical journal, 60(1), 31.
Clemens, V., Regen, F., Le Bret, N., Heuser, I., & Hellmann-Regen, J. (2018). The anti-inflammatory effects of minocycline are mediated by retinoid signalling. BMC Neuroscience, 19(1), 1-10.
Cohen, D., & Portugal-Cohen, M. (2020). Safe Retinol-Like Skin Biological Effect by a New Complex, Enriched with Retinol Precursors. Journal of Cosmetics, Dermatological Sciences, and Applications, 10(02), 59.
Ito, N., Seki, S., & Ueda, F. (2018). The protective role of astaxanthin for UV-induced skin deterioration in healthy people—a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Nutrients, 10(7), 817.
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