Preventing mouth wrinkles
Deep wrinkles near the mouth (also known as perioral wrinkles) appear when ligaments around the mouth and chin loosen. Get rid of deep wrinkles around your mouth by eating an antioxidant-rich diet, adopting healthy lifestyle habits and using good skincare products.
Deep wrinkles near the mouth (also known as perioral wrinkles) appear when ligaments around the mouth and chin loosen, causing fatty tissue in the area to sag. Wrinkles are an unavoidable part of aging, but you can take several natural measures to prevent and erase lines around the mouth.
The sun and tanning beds give off UV rays that damage the DNA in skin cells and cause aging. Avoid tanning beds and use sunscreen when you go outdoors to protect your skin. Remember to reapply sunscreen every two hours when you're outdoors and opt for shade around noon, when the sun is at its strongest.
A healthy diet is also important for wrinkle prevention. A fruit-heavy diet is associated with fewer facial wrinkles in women while eating a snack- or red meat-heavy diet is associated with more wrinkles. Opt for foods that contain lots of antioxidants. These are chemical molecules that prevent oxidation, a process that damages skin cells and causes visible signs of aging.
Fruits and vegetables rich in antioxidants include:
- Grapes
- Berries
- Apricots
- Carrots
- Spinach
- Broccoli
- Cauliflower
Smoking can destroy collagen and elastin, the proteins in your skin that keep it looking plump and youthful. Consider quitting if you smoke. Avoid drinking through straws. This speeds up the aging of the skin around the mouth, leading to 'smokers lips'. Make sure to maintain a consistent healthy weight, because frequent weight changes can also contribute to mouth wrinkles.
Plant and food extracts for mouth wrinkles
Plant and food extracts are natural wrinkle treatments available in several forms, from essential oils for topical application to oral supplements to take with meals.
Essential oils are concentrated oils extracted from plants through distillation or cold-pressing. They can be applied directly to the wrinkles around your mouth or diluted in face cream before application. Lemon oil has antioxidant properties and can prevent free radical reactions. Clary sage oil has antimicrobial properties in addition to antioxidant properties. Essential oils are strong so a little goes a long way. More research is needed to see how these might prevent or reduce wrinkles on the face.
Aloe vera gel is another natural treatment option. The gel contains molecules known as sterols which help increase the production of collagen and hyaluronic acid, which help the skin lock in moisture and appear plump. People in one small study who took a daily aloe vera gel supplement saw a reduction in the appearance of their wrinkles in just 90 days.
Egg yolk contains a protein with strong antioxidant properties. In lab studies, this protein has been shown to work against enzymes that break down collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid in the skin.
Skincare ingredients for mouth wrinkles
Use skin-care products that contain effective anti-aging ingredients to reduce the appearance of mouth wrinkles.
Opt for moisturizers or serums formulated with hyaluronic acid or Vitamin C. Hyaluronic acid helped decrease the depth of wrinkles and improves skin hydration, firmness, and elasticity in just 8 weeks in one small study. In another study, Vitamin C not only boosted collagen production but also reduced the appearance of wrinkles in 12 weeks.
Retinoids are a derivative of Vitamin A. While some potent retinoids are only available as a prescription for diagnosed skin conditions, retinol is available over the counter and is often used to treat fine lines and wrinkles. Some research suggests that retinol increases skin thickness and boosts the genes that produce collagen in just four weeks.
Since retinol is strong, it's important to start with a low concentration and work your way up to a higher one if needed. Retinol also increases your skin's sensitivity to the sun, so make sure to wear sunscreen and sun-protective clothing when outdoors.