Initially fine and almost invisible, then becoming increasingly pronounced… Wrinkles around the mouth are among those that most quickly betray the passage of time. Nicknamed “barcode lines,” they appear vertically above the lips, altering facial expression and sometimes making makeup application more challenging. And while many hope to smooth them with a simple cream, the reality is often more nuanced.
This area of the face is one of the most used: we talk, we smile, we eat, and the skin gets very little rest. As a result, conventional skincare products quickly show their limitations, especially when the wrinkles are already well established. So, what can you really do when wrinkles around the mouth are stubborn? Experts agree: it all depends on their depth and the overall condition of the skin.
The perioral area is particularly fragile. The skin there is thin, poorly protected naturally, and lacking in sebum. Added to this are well-known external factors. For Dr. Anna Chacon, repeated sun exposure remains one of the main accelerators of skin aging: the fibers that ensure the skin’s suppleness and tone gradually lose their quality.
Lifestyle also plays a key role. Certain habits accentuate repeated lip contractions and promote the formation of permanent wrinkles. Over time, the skin loses its ability to “bounce back” after each movement, and wrinkles become visible even at rest. It is at this stage that cosmetic treatments alone are no longer sufficient.
