A Guide to Botox for Smoother-Looking Lips
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.
How Are Lip Lines Caused?
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.
Can You Get Rid of Lip Lines With Botox?
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.
When Should You Start Botox Injections for Lip Lines?
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.
What Should I Expect From Botox for Smile Lines Treatment?
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.
How Much Does It Cost to Treat Lip Lines With Botox?
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!
Are There Side Effects to Treating Lip Lines With Botox?
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.
Who Should You Trust to Treat Your Lip Lines?
Always seek 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 line 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 and the procedure and be confident in handling complications if they arise.
Book a Botox Consultation Today.
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.
Not sure Botox treatment is right for you? We have lots of Botox FAQs, Botox videos, Botox reviews, and Botox before and after images for you to do more research if you are not ready to speak to a medically trained Botox injector yet.
If you want to look for your nearest accredited and verified Botox clinic, your local Botox clinics are listed below.
