Show patients their result before they treat.
Fine vertical lines above and around the lips, often called smoker's lines, that deepen with age and sun exposure.
Sarah Jenkins
Plan #4202 • Mid Face
Recommended Protocol
Neuromodulators
Botox • For Vertical Lip Lines
Retinols
At-home maintenance
Vertical lip lines (smoker's lines) are the fine wrinkles above and around the lips, caused by repeated lip movement, collagen loss, sun damage, and sometimes smoking. They're treated with a light neuromodulator to relax the muscle, fine hyaluronic acid fillers like Volbella or Belotero or a skin booster like Skinvive to plump the skin, and laser resurfacing or microneedling to refine texture. Results build over a few weeks and are maintained with skincare.
Vertical lip lines, often called smoker's lines, are the fine to moderate wrinkles that run vertically above and sometimes below the lips. They develop from repeated lip movement, natural collagen and elastin loss, sun damage, genetics, and in some people smoking. These lines can make the lips look thinner, age the mouth area, and cause lipstick to bleed into the surrounding skin.
For a practice, vertical lip lines often come up alongside lip filler and antiaging consults, making them a natural add-on that increases the value of a single visit. The provider's goal is to smooth and support the skin around the mouth while keeping natural expression, usually combining a light neuromodulator, fine filler, and resurfacing. Showing the patient a smoother, refined result on their own photo helps them say yes to a layered plan rather than a single product.
Vertical Lip Lines
Where it appears
Lips, Mouth
Facial area
Mid Face
Treatment paths
16
From in-clinic procedures to at-home regimens, Afters maps the full range of options — so patients can see what each one would do for them, on their own photo, before they commit.
Professional procedures performed by a provider to target the concern directly.
Energy-based and resurfacing devices used to treat the concern in clinic.
Branded injectables and medical products providers use for this concern.
Medical-grade products patients use between visits to maintain results.
Patients rarely come in for just one thing. Browse other concerns Afters can visualize.
Adding volume, shape, and definition to thin, flat, or asymmetric lips.
Explore treatmentsA few units of neuromodulator that relax the upper lip so it gently rolls outward for a fuller look without filler.
Explore treatmentsSmall, shallow wrinkles that show up first around the eyes, mouth, and forehead.
Explore treatmentsCommon questions patients ask about vertical lip lines — and what practices should be ready to answer.
Repeated puckering and lip movement, age-related collagen and elastin loss, sun damage, genetics, and smoking all contribute to fine vertical lines forming around the mouth.
A combination usually works best: a small amount of neuromodulator to relax the muscle, fine hyaluronic acid filler or a skin booster to plump the skin, and resurfacing lasers or microneedling to refine surface texture.
Neuromodulator effects last about 3–4 months, fine fillers around 6–12 months, and resurfacing results build over weeks and are maintained with a home regimen.
Numbing cream is applied first, so most patients tolerate injections and resurfacing well. Expect mild swelling or redness for a few days.
Yes. Fractional lasers, microneedling, peels, and a consistent retinoid regimen soften lip lines by stimulating collagen, though results are more gradual than with injectables.
Afters simulates the outcome on a patient's own photo and builds a visual 12-month plan — so consults convert and average ticket climbs.