How to Get Rid of Wrinkles Above the Lip Without Surgery or Medical Bills

What is "Smoker's Kiss," and How Does it Develop?
"Smoker's kiss" is the condition of vertical wrinkle lines between the bottom of the nose and the upper lip. It is caused by loss of muscle tone and/or collagen.

But Why Does the Skin Above the Lip Wrinkle?
This question is most easily answered by visualizing a firm mattress which has no wrinkles. It is nearly impossible to actually wrinkle a firm mattress by bending it. First of all, it does not bend easily, and secondly, if it does bend, it is too firm to wrinkle easily. However, with much of its stuffing removed (equivalent to loss of muscle/collagen in the face), it wrinkles easily when bent. Our skin operates in the same way. Facial skin which has firmness (muscle and/or collagen) beneath it, does not wrinkle easily. Any facial skin that has insufficient muscle tone or collagen beneath it tends to sag and/or wrinkle.

Why is "Smoker's Kiss" More Common After 50?
According to the Journal of Applied Physiology (Vol. 86, Issue 1, 188-194, Jan 99), after the age of 50, muscles that are not used frequently atrophy, including facial muscles. When the muscle tone in the lips and surrounding area decreases (goes from a thick layer of muscle padding to a thin layer or nearly nonexistent), the skin is then able to wrinkle. Skin that has plump underlying muscles does not wrinkle easily.

Why does Smoking Cause "Smoker's Kiss"? Can Non-Smoker's Get it Too?
Although anyone can develop those deep vertical wrinkles above the upper lip, referred to as "smoker's kiss," smoking causes wrinkles faster than non-smoking, because according to the American Academy of Dermatology, smoking causes premature aging of the skin, resulting in earlier and more severe skin wrinkles than in non-smokers. This process is explained by WebMD at http://www.webmd.com/smoking-cessation/quit-smoking-10/surprising-reasons-to-quit-smoking?page=2

To compound the smoker's problem, the physical action of smoking a cigarette causes the smoker's lips to pucker (wrinkle) frequently, continuously reinforcing those deep vertical lines above the upper lip. Skin that wrinkles easily, wrinkles far more severely when subjected to an action that repeatedly wrinkles the same area of skin.

How Can One Get Rid of "Smoker's Kiss" Using a Natural Cure With No Drugs or Surgery?
One obvious step is to not smoke.

The next step is to keep skin moisturized. Dry skin wrinkles easier than moisturized skin.

The third, and most important step, is to build up a "cushion" or "padding" of muscle beneath the skin containing the vertical wrinkles. This will prevent the skin from being able to wrinkle easily, as in the above-described mattress visualization. This is done by using two different resistance exercises (described below) to build up the muscles that underlie the wrinkled skin, which are causing the "smoker's kiss" appearance. This muscle building will not alter the appearance the face. The newly-toned-up muscles will not be obvious in any way, except that they will make that area of the face appear younger. Toning these muscles will cause a youthful firmness that prevents the skin from being able to wrinkle easily. It will take years off of the appearance of that portion of the face. Resistance exercises work very effectively for many parts of the face, according to Flex Effect at www.FlexEffect.com, but this article focuses only upon those muscles that can eliminate the appearance of the "smoker's kiss" condition-those unsightly vertical lines (wrinkles) between the upper lip and the bottom of the nose. This natural cure eliminates wrinkled lips.

After building up the muscles that eliminate "smoker's kiss," less time and attention will be needed to maintain that level of muscle tone. It is easier to maintain muscle than to build it.

How To Perform the Two Exercises that Eliminate "Smoker's Kiss":
The following two exercises help to reduce or eliminate "smoker's kiss." Results can be noticeable within one to four weeks, depending upon how frequently these exercises are repeated daily. If continued, the "smoker's kiss" condition can be completely eliminated within one to twelve weeks, depending upon how diligently these exercises are practiced. Keep in mind that the below-prescribed number of minutes is for building muscle. Less time is required to maintain it once it is built.

1. Exercise #1: 10 minutes per day, minimum (more time will produce faster results): Place something gently against the lips (hand, fingers, or book). Do not press in against the teeth. Next, try to open your lips against this resistance (without wrinkling the skin). It is especially important to try to raise the upper lip against the resistance of the hand, fingers, or book which are preventing the lips from being able to open. At the same time, try to open the bottom lip. Exercising both lips will produce balanced muscle toning and will add a youthful fullness to both lips. Do this for 10 minutes daily, minimum. This exercise is very easy to do while reading, watching TV, or using a computer mouse with one hand. Simply use the free hand to provide lip-resistance.

2. Exercise #2: 10 minutes per day, minimum (more time will produce faster results): Place index fingers inside both corners of the mouth, separating lips slightly. Do not stretch your mouth. Then try to close your mouth and lips against the resistance of the fingers which are holding the mouth corners apart slightly. This tones many facial muscles from the lower chin up to the nose, including upper and lower lip muscles.

Once the desired level of muscle is achieved, muscle tone can be maintained permanently by practicing each exercise for 5 minutes daily, or 10 minutes every other day. Although for many, this amount of time is adequate, for some, additional time may be required if wrinkles begin to reappear. In these cases, increase the maintenance time as necessary. Each person can find their own exact number of "maintenance" minutes required to prevent the "smoker's kiss" condition. Most people are absolutely delighted with the results and are very thankful to have found a natural cure that eliminates wrinkled lips, resulting in a more youthful facial appearance.