Perioral wrinkles
Perioral wrinkles are fine or deeper lines around the mouth, including but not limited to vertical upper-lip lines. They may appear during lip movement and later remain at rest. Texture, lip volume and the position of the mouth corners can affect the overall appearance.
What you may notice
- Fine lines around the lips
- Lines that deepen when pursing the mouth
- Lipstick bleeding into vertical creases
- Crepey or sun-damaged surrounding skin
Why it can happen
Repeated orbicularis oris movement, cumulative sun exposure, smoking, skin ageing and inherited anatomy contribute. Loss of lip or dental support may make the area look more folded. Smoking is a risk factor, but these lines also occur in people who have never smoked.
What may help
Sun protection and stopping smoking reduce further damage. Retinoids or other medical skincare may improve photoaged texture but require careful use near the lips. Resurfacing, small-volume filler and carefully selected muscle-relaxing injections address different components; excessive treatment may affect lip movement or look unnatural. Avoid retinoids during pregnancy or when planning a pregnancy.
When to consult
Consultation is helpful before combining treatments because function matters around the mouth. A persistent ulcer, crusted area, lump, bleeding patch or changing lesion on or near the lip should be medically assessed.
Evidence and sources
- DermNet. Facial lines and wrinkles [Internet]. Auckland: DermNet New Zealand Trust; 2004 [cited 2026 Nov 7]. Available from: https://dermnetnz.org/topics/facial-lines-and-wrinkles (new tab)
- DermNet. Ageing skin [Internet]. Auckland: DermNet New Zealand Trust; 2018 [cited 2026 Nov 7]. Available from: https://dermnetnz.org/topics/ageing-skin (new tab)
- American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Skin rejuvenation and resurfacing [Internet]. Arlington Heights (IL): American Society of Plastic Surgeons; [cited 2026 Nov 7]. Available from: https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/skin-rejuvenation-and-resurfacing (new tab)
- US Food and Drug Administration. Wrinkle treatments and other anti-aging products [Internet]. Silver Spring (MD): FDA; 2024 [cited 2026 Nov 7]. Available from: https://www.fda.gov/cosmetics/cosmetic-products/wrinkle-treatments-and-other-anti-aging-products (new tab)
- European Medicines Agency. Updated measures for pregnancy prevention during retinoid use [Internet]. European Medicines Agency; 2018 [cited 2026 Nov 7]. Available from: https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/news/updated-measures-pregnancy-prevention-during-retinoid-use (new tab)