As we age, our appearance gradually reveals signs of aging, particularly around the mouth with wrinkles such as nasolabial folds, marionette lines, and puppet lines, which can make us look older than our actual age. Today, we will explore the causes of these wrinkles and ways to improve them.
During the pandemic, wearing masks became the norm, and everyone’s faces were hidden behind masks, making it seem like everyone was beautiful. However, once the masks are removed, the aging issues around the mouth become quite apparent. At this point, many may wonder why these wrinkles appear around the mouth and what methods can be used to improve the situation.
Firstly, many people may not realize that the most common source of wrinkles around the mouth comes from the fine lines produced when smiling. For instance, in the entertainment industry, we often see celebrities with noticeable lines when they smile. In youth, these wrinkles are almost non-existent, but with increasing age, especially after turning 30, these fine lines begin to appear. This is mainly due to the gradual loss of the dermis and collagen, a process that is irreversible. Even procedures like hyaluronic acid injections cannot fully restore the skin’s elasticity and smoothness, and while radio frequency therapy shows some effectiveness, the fundamental issues remain.
To understand the aging around the mouth, it’s crucial to know the structure of the skin. The skin is composed of the epidermis, dermis, subcutaneous tissue, and bone. With aging, the epidermis thins, moisture retention decreases, and the arrangement of the stratum corneum becomes irregular, leading to a dull appearance. The dermis deteriorates due to prolonged exposure to sunlight and environmental pollution, causing elastic fibers to degrade and accelerating the aging process. Furthermore, as one ages, changes in the subcutaneous tissue cause the fascia to loosen, and the gradual shrinkage of fat makes wrinkles more pronounced. Additionally, aging can affect the skeletal structure; the atrophy of the maxilla and mandible reduces the definition of the mouth’s contours, leading to hollowness around the mouth.
As one grows older, the chin also becomes shorter, which is a natural phenomenon. To maintain youthful facial contours, one might consider using hyaluronic acid to address bone atrophy issues. However, the reduction of fat around the mouth can make nasolabial folds and marionette lines more pronounced, and lips may thin out, losing their youthful plumpness.
When discussing the aggravating factors of aging around the mouth, it’s important to mention age and sun exposure. Research indicates that women over 45 experience more pronounced aging around the mouth compared to men. This is partly due to physiological differences, as the hair follicles in men’s beards provide some level of protection.
Ultraviolet rays from the sun are another major culprit in skin aging; they promote the generation of free radicals, which subsequently increase the release of matrix metalloproteinases. This leads to the breakdown of collagen and elastin, speeding up the aging process.
For improving wrinkles around the mouth, it’s essential to distinguish between dynamic nasolabial folds and static nasolabial folds. Dynamic nasolabial folds are a normal physiological response and do not require special treatment, while static nasolabial folds are evident signs of aging that require targeted improvement.
In conclusion, if you want to improve the issue of wrinkles around the mouth, seek consultation from a doctor and make informed choices about appropriate treatments, avoiding the pitfalls of blindly following trends, which could lead to excessive fillers that make the mouth look unnatural.