Lines Above The Lips Sydney

Appropriate Treatment Options

Often, we recommend a combination of treatments to support this area. The treatments prescribed will depend on factors such as your lip anatomy, skin quality, muscle movements and how deeply established the lines are.

Muscle Relaxant Treatments: Some individuals benefit from relaxing the muscles around the upper lip. These muscle relaxant products block the nerve signals from the brain to the muscles that trigger muscle contraction. This helps reduce muscle activity and can minimise the appearance of these lines.

Muscle relaxant treatment is not suitable for everyone with lip lines, though. The muscle around the mouth is essential for performing vital activities such as pronouncing words, drinking through a straw and drinking in general. If the muscle becomes overly relaxed, it can negatively affect the ability to perform these activities. Therefore, careful assessment and a conservative approach are essential, and sometimes, other treatments are more suitable.

Lip Augmentation Treatment: This treatment may help expand the lips, add volume, and create additional structure in the cupid’s bow area. At Bella Plastic Surgery, this treatment is performed using the Kiss Me Lip Augmentation Technique, which places product on the inner side of the upper lip. This technique can help slightly elevate the upper lip, support the overall lip structure, and create a more defined border. This enhancement can draw attention away from the fine vertical lines above the lip.

Dry Skin Needling (Microneedling): This involves treating the area with fine needles at a controlled depth. We use an etching technique that helps to release tight tissue and encourage contraction within the line itself, possibly softening the appearance of fine lines over time.

Dry needling with polynucleotides: Polynucleotides come from purified salmon DNA and can help support skin regeneration processes by encouraging the production of collagen and elastin. At Bella Plastic Surgery, we sometimes apply polynucleotides immediately after dry needling to support skin regeneration. This treatment is more of a long-term approach to support skin health rather than to provide immediate visible change.

Skin boosters: This treatment uses a synthetic product that mimics the complex sugars naturally found in our tissues. When placed just below the skin’s surface, it forms a light, supportive layer that creates a softer, filter-like appearance in the treated area. Treatment lasts only a few months, and usually a series of treatments spaced several weeks apart is recommended.

Laser resurfacing: Various ablative laser treatments, such as erbium or CO2 laser, can effectively treat lines above the lips. They work by creating controlled channels in the skin stimulate new tissue formation. However, these laser treatments not only require downtime but also carry a high level of risk, including scarring and pigmentation changes. Factors such as your healing ability, skin type and history must be carefully assessed before treatment. Sometimes, we may recommend a test patch before starting laser treatment.

The Importance of Skin Health

Maintaining good skin health is vital for managing lines anywhere on the face, including those above the lips. To support skin health, we often recommend medical-grade skincare and non-invasive light-based treatments.

Downtime After Treatment

The required downtime will depend on the treatment you receive. Some treatments will not require any downtime, while others may leave you with redness, swelling, bruising, tenderness or sensitivity that may take time to settle.

Treatment Costs

Treatment plans for treating lines above the lips are individualised. Therefore, you can only be given a price after your initial consultation. During this time, you may be recommended one or several treatments, which will impact the overall cost.

Potential Risks

Once again, potential risks and side effects depend on the treatments chosen. Mostly, side effects are mild and temporary, such as tenderness, redness, bruising, swelling or skin sensitivity. In rare cases, effects can be significant or longer lasting. During your consultation, all potential risks will be discussed with you before treatment commences.

To learn more about these issues, please see our Potential Risks and Complications page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do lines above the lip appear?

Lines above the lip are caused by a combination of factors, including the ageing process, UV exposure, repetitive lip movement, lifestyle factors and genetics.

What are the treatment options to address lines above the lip?

Treatment options to address this area include lip augmentation, muscle relaxant treatment, polynucleotides, dry needling (micro-needling), laser resurfacing, or skin boosters. Sometimes, a combination of treatments may be recommended.

How many treatments will I need?

The answer depends on which treatment you are having and how deep your lines are. Some treatments require multiple sessions to achieve the best results.

Are ‘smokers lines’ a condition?

‘Smoker’s lines’ is a colloquial phrase to explain the vertical lines above the lips that are common in smokers (due to repetitive lip puckering). However, these lines appear in both smokers and non-smokers alike.

Can lines above the lip be treated without surgery?

There are several nonsurgical treatment options to address these lines. The most suitable treatment for you will depend on the severity of your lines, your skin quality and your anatomy.

Can I return to work immediately?

This answer depends on the treatment you’ve had. Some people can return to work the same day, while others may prefer a little downtime until any swelling, redness, or bruising has passed.

Can lip augmentation address lines above the lips?

Some individuals find that lip augmentation helps with lines in this area. By defining the lip border and supporting the upper lip, we help minimise the focus on lines in this area. However, suitability for this treatment depends on individual anatomy.

Can muscle relaxant treatment remove my lines completely?

Results from muscle relaxant treatment vary, and while it may help reduce movement and the appearance of lines in the area, it may not completely remove them. Also, the treatment is not suitable for everyone.

How long do results last?

This depends on which treatment you are having, as well as other individual factors. Once your treatment plan has been created, these issues will be discussed with you.