Types of wrinkles
There are three different kinds of wrinkles that can be found around the mouth.
Perioral wrinkles: Refers to the lines surrounding the lips, most noticeable above the top lip when pursed
Nasolabial folds: Commonly known as laughter lines, these wrinkles are found at the upper corners of the lips reaching up to either side of the nose
Marionette lines: Are the lines which can develop at the lower corner of the mouth reaching down to the chin. These lines are named ‘Marionette’ as they are similar to that of a puppet’s mouth.
Why do I have wrinkles around my mouth?
In naturopathic circles, it is believed that our outside appearance reflects our inner health. To combat wrinkles around the lip area you should start to examine the day-to-day activities and habits that could be the reason for these wrinkles.
Reasons for perioral wrinkles:
Smoking: The action of smoking causes a pursed lip and this sets out the start of perioral wrinkles which can deepen over time. Smoking carries some serious health implications, which we all know of, but what you may not know is that damage from smoking tobacco doesn’t just affect your major organs; it also damages your outer beauty too.
A lesser known fact is that a single cigarette depletes the body of vitamin C.
Why is vitamin C important, you ask?
Well, vitamin C helps to maintain the integrity of skin cell membranes helping to repair and ‘cement’ skin cells. This makes it more difficult for wrinkles to deepen, and makes for better looking, healthier skin.
What you can do: Stop smoking! It will be beneficial for all aspects of your health, including your skin. Also, including more vitamin C foods in your diet is always a good idea, smoker or not. Foods such as berries, leafy greens, citrus fruits and yellow bell peppers are all high in vitamin C.
You may also want to consider taking vitamin C supplements to help maintain your skin’s natural plumpness. It is best to use a vitamin C product which uses ingredients naturally occurring in vitamin C, like A.Vogel Nature-C chewable tablets which are made with passion fruit, sea buckthorn, prickly gooseberry blackcurrant and lemon.
Reasons for nasolabial folds
Facial expressions: Unless you want to carry out your day with a poker face, it is very difficult, and not to mention uncomfortable, to not make any facial expression throughout the day. Smiling, laughing, chewing, yawning, talking, frowning or nearly any thing you do can pave the way for potential wrinkles.
What you can do: A natural alternative to expensive and unnecessary surgery is facial exercise. By exercising the facial muscles daily you will help to improve circulation to muscles and help to reduce the appearance of nasolabial folds and other wrinkles.
Face yoga is a relatively new phenomenon but it is already gaining credibility due to its results.
Reasons for marionette lines
Genetics: Not everyone may develop these lines as it is more dependent upon genetics. Marionette lines develop when the ligaments near the mouth and chin loosen, so there is not much to be done in terms of preventative measures if you are predisposed to them.
Lifestyle: Marionette lines can also develop due to excess fatty deposits in the face which can become exacerbated due to the sagging caused by aging.
What you can do: Marionette lines can be quite upsetting for some as these creases can make an individual appear upset or angry when they are not displaying any emotion. If you have marionette lines, an option for you to consider is adopting a healthier lifestyle to prevent the deepening of creases.
“The real answer lies in taking care in one’s youth, living in a natural way and not worrying too much or constantly going into anxieties, for we know that stressful problems are wearisome and undermine the body’s reserves and well-being. They do indeed age us prematurely and foster the formation of wrinkles.” – A.Vogel
Relaxing and ensuring that you are getting enough rest is easier said than done but if you can develop a good daily routine which includes adequate rest and tranquillity, it will help you fight the chance of deepening existing wrinkles. Taking care of your inner beauty first will help to revive your outer beauty.
Proper hydration is also important when combating wrinkles. Drinking 1.5 litres of water a day will help to give the skin cells moisture. This will help to plump the skin and give a natural glow as water helps to clear toxins.
Let your skin breathe: To help reduce the appearance of wrinkles around the mouth, one of the most important things is to develop a good skin care regime.
“The skin cannot breathe naturally if the pores are blocked with cosmetics. In consequence it degenerates; the pores become larger. It is just as unsightly when the skin begins to slacken early, developing more wrinkles than would be expected as a result of the normal ageing process.” – A.Vogel
A good skin care regime needn’t be time consuming or expensive.
Give your face the day off: If you wear cosmetics daily this can have a wear-and-tear effect on the skin, causing pores to become blocked and can also slacken skin elasticity. Clean your face of all cosmetics and let your face breathe! By doing this once a week you are giving your skin a great chance of fighting off mouth wrinkles as it is getting a day off from the usual routine of foundation and lipstick.
Protect your face: Before stepping out of the house remember to lightly coat your face in SPF 15 at a minimum to help protect soft skin from becoming leathery and wrinkled due to harmful UV rays. Once you get into the habit of using UV protection daily it will become commonplace, like brushing your teeth or combing your hair.
Finally, it is never too early (or too late) to start using a nightly moisturiser. Using a night cream will help to give your skin the moisture it needs to plump and reduce the appearance of wrinkles.
I recommend
Use a natural moisturiser that does not use dried ingredients or harsh chemicals to protect your skin. A.Vogel Comfrey Cream uses only active ingredients.
The comfrey plants at our farm in Roggwil are harvested and processed within a few hours ensuring all of nature’s goodness stays at its most effective to give the best results.
This cream helps to plump fine lines, give tired skin a bright glow and can also be used throughout the day below make-up.
Caring for and preserving your skin is an important part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and not to mention a youthful glow. However, don’t get too bogged down with your wrinkles. As I have said, wrinkles are a beautiful and a natural part of ageing. Each wrinkle, in my opinion, should be celebrated, but that doesn’t mean we can’t slow the clock.
How did you find these tips? Have any worked for you or do you have your own skincare secret? Share with us your views in the comment section below.
