How to get rid of wrinkles around the mouth

The lines extending from the nose to the corners of your mouth indicate a life full of happiness and smiles, but sometimes they can make you look older than you really are. There are various ways to reduce or eliminate these mouth wrinkles, such as using skincare products like exfoliating creams, trying therapeutic methods, exercising your facial muscles, and adopting healthy habits that benefit your skin, such as maintaining a balanced diet, drinking more water, and exercising regularly.

Apply a moisturizer daily. Moisturizers help hydrate the skin, reduce fine lines, and smooth out wrinkles, including those around the mouth. For best results, choose a moisturizer that contains collagen, which helps firm the skin and heal any skin damage.

Regular use of exfoliating cream. This step helps remove dead skin cells, revealing fresher, healthier skin beneath, while also reducing smile-induced wrinkles. Choose an exfoliating cream suitable for your skin type. Wash your face with warm water, then gently massage the exfoliating cream onto your face in circular motions using a cloth. Rinse your face with warm water.

Create an exfoliating scrub with brown sugar and coconut oil. Many oils can be used for homemade exfoliation, but brown sugar and coconut oil are among the most popular mixtures. Mix 2 tablespoons of brown sugar with 2 tablespoons of coconut oil and gently massage it onto your face in circular motions. Rinse your face with warm water after a few minutes of massaging.

• The exfoliating effect of brown sugar and the moisturizing properties of coconut oil will leave your face looking refreshed and reduce mouth wrinkles over time.

Protect your skin from the sun every day. Sun damage can lead to mouth wrinkles or make existing ones more prominent. Apply sunscreen to your face daily, stay in the shade more often, wear a hat to protect your skin, and reduce the appearance of mouth wrinkles. Look for a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher for daily use, and SPF 30 when exposed to intense sunlight or for long periods, such as at the beach or on a hike.

• You can also use foundation with built-in sunscreen to protect your skin while concealing small wrinkles.

Use a wrinkle-fading cream or primer to hide mouth wrinkles. While working to erase mouth wrinkles, you can use a wrinkle-fading cream or primer to smooth the skin around your mouth. After applying sunscreen and before foundation or powder, take a small amount of primer or wrinkle-fading cream on your finger and gently apply it to the mouth lines before continuing your makeup routine.

Use dermal fillers to erase mouth wrinkles. Dermal fillers are gels that fill in sunken areas of the skin, including lines and wrinkles. Some of the safest fillers, like Restylane and Juvederm, are FDA-approved and can help reduce mouth wrinkles. You can visit a cosmetic surgeon for an injection. This procedure typically takes 15 minutes to an hour.

• Note that dermal fillers are only effective for a limited time, with one injection lasting from 4 to 9 months, so you may need to get re-injections periodically.
• The cost for this treatment can be higher than other options (in the U.S., one injection can cost around $450 - $750).

Explore skincare treatments at medical care services. In addition to dermal fillers, other cosmetic treatments such as anti-wrinkle creams, retinol-based products, laser therapies, and Botox can help reduce or eliminate mouth wrinkles. Consult with a doctor about using one or more of these methods to remove mouth wrinkles for a longer-lasting effect.

Stretch the corners of your mouth while smiling. Facial yoga exercises can help make your face look younger by toning your facial muscles and reducing wrinkles. Start by hooking your index fingers at the corners of your mouth and pulling them outward while tightening the corners of your mouth for 5-10 seconds. Repeat 10-25 times per session, ideally practicing daily.

Tighten cheek muscles by holding air in your mouth. To strengthen your cheek muscles and flatten wrinkles, take a deep breath through your mouth and hold the air in so your cheeks puff up like a balloon. Move the air from one cheek to the other. Exhale and repeat the motion.

Smile widely while keeping your teeth together. A broad smile that stretches the mouth can tighten the mouth wrinkles and make facial muscles stronger. Keep your teeth pressed together while smiling as wide as possible. Hold for 10 seconds, then relax. Repeat 10-20 times a day.

Lift your cheeks upwards. Use both hands to stretch your facial muscles and smooth out the wrinkles around your mouth. Press your palms firmly against your cheeks at a diagonal angle so that your fingers touch the sides of your temples. Pull the corners of your mouth up until a few teeth are exposed. Hold this position for 30 seconds. Relax and repeat 3 times.

Drink plenty of water. Drinking water is one of the best ways to hydrate your skin and reduce wrinkles naturally. Increase your daily water intake and replace soda, coffee, and sugary drinks with plain water. Coffee and sugary beverages actually dehydrate the skin, making mouth wrinkles more pronounced.

Exercise regularly. Physical activities can help fade or eliminate mouth wrinkles by boosting blood circulation to the skin, which in turn helps the body produce natural oils and moisture, while speeding up cell regeneration. Try cardio exercises several times a week, such as running, hiking, dancing, or swimming.

Eat more antioxidant-rich foods. Antioxidants, which are naturally present in many vitamins, stimulate collagen and elastin production in the skin, helping to smooth out wrinkles and laugh lines. Antioxidant-rich foods include fruits like cranberries and raspberries, vegetables like tomatoes and broccoli, and green tea.

Start incorporating more omega-3 fatty acids into your diet. Omega-3 fatty acids can reduce mouth wrinkles by reducing inflammation and naturally improving skin health. Foods rich in omega-3 include tuna, salmon, walnuts, flaxseeds, and chia seeds.

• A serving of fish, 2 tablespoons of flaxseed, 1 tablespoon of chia seeds, 60g of walnuts, or 2 cups of soybeans should meet your daily omega-3 needs.

Quit smoking. The chemicals in most cigarettes can destroy collagen and elastin in the skin, making mouth wrinkles more pronounced. If you smoke, try to quit as soon as possible to reduce or eliminate mouth wrinkles.

• Consult a cosmetic specialist about methods to eliminate mouth wrinkles before considering more invasive treatments like plastic surgery. A specialist can assess your skin condition accurately and provide advice on the most effective ways to remove mouth wrinkles based on your skin type.
• If you have skin conditions or are undergoing treatment for skin diseases, consult a dermatologist before applying any topical products to your face.