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The Best Cosmetic Fixes for Lip Lines

Lip lines, also commonly referred to as smokers' lines or vertical lines, are a sign of aging that many people want to correct. Lip lines are caused by cigarette smoke, sun exposure and natural aging. If creams and lipstick are just covering the problem, there are several excellent cosmetic fixes for lip lines that can take years off your appearance.

  1. Botox Treatments

    • Botox injections can be used to smooth lip lines. Botox works by temporarily paralyzing the facial muscles you use to purse your lips. Botox is an excellent quick fix because one office treatment takes about 20 minutes and is relatively painless, with results apparent in about 3 days and lasting up to 6 months. Also, recovery time is minimal to non-existent, with most patients able to return to normal activities immediately. Botox injections are also less expensive than many other options, with prices ranging from $6 to $15 per unit as of 2009. The number of units an individual needs for their lip lines varies, but count on a range of 8 to 30 units per treatment.

    Dermal Fillers

    • Dermal (skin) fillers are another option to correct lip lines. Dermal fillers work by replacing the volume that has been lost, therefore filling in your lip lines. Today, many cosmetic professionals choose to inject hylauronic acid products, such as Juvederm and Restylane, into the lip lines. These products are priced per syringe, and usually will run you about $500 to $750 per syringe as of 2009. Talk to your doctor or cosmetic surgery professional about the amount you need to correct your individual lip lines. One office treatment of hylauronic acid fillers usually lasts about 9 to 12 months, but results may vary, depending on the individual.

    Laser Treatments

    • Laser resurfacing treatments are another excellent option to smooth your lip lines. Although applying a laser to your lips may sound scary, the technology has improved over the years to become relatively gentle and very effective. Lasers used for skin resurfacing use high amounts of generated energy to tighten and repair damaged skin. One type of popular laser, a fractional laser, also encourages the growth of collagen (new skin). Prices for laser resurfacing for lips can greatly vary, but as of 2009 they typically range between $300 to $600 per treatment. Laser treatments typically take a few treatments to achieve the desired results, although results can last longer than a year.

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