Treatments

Search

Conditions

Search

Discreet, expert treatments for the body and intimate areas, delivered in complete privacy.

Body Contouring

Reshaping and firming treatments that refine your silhouette and smooth stubborn areas.

Intimate Treatments

Sensitive, confidential care for intimate areas, carried out by experienced practitioners.

Restorative hair treatments and finishing touches that frame and complete your look.

Hair Loss

Evidence-based treatments to restore density and the appearance of a fuller hairline.

Lashes & Permanent Makeup

Long-lasting enhancements that define your features and simplify your daily routine.

Expertly administered injectable treatments to smooth lines, restore volume and refresh tired skin.

Botox

Precise botox that soften expression lines and refine facial balance.

Collagen Stimulators

Longer-lasting treatments that prompt your own collagen for gradual, natural-looking lift.

Skin Boosters

Deep hydration and cellular repair delivered directly into the skin for a lasting glow.

Advanced device-led treatments that resurface, tighten and even out the skin without surgery.

Laser & IPL

Targeted laser and light energy to treat pigmentation, redness and uneven texture.

LED Light Therapy

Gentle, calming light therapy that reduces inflammation and speeds up skin recovery.

Skin Tightening & Lifting

Non-surgical lifting and firming for a more defined jawline, cheeks and neck.

Expert care for a wide range of skin conditions, ensuring healthy, radiant skin.

Chemical Peels

Controlled resurfacing peels that lift pigmentation, refine texture and reveal fresher skin.

Facials & Cleansing

Rejuvenating facial treatments to cleanse, resurface and enhance your natural radiance.

Microneedling

Collagen-boosting treatments that soften scarring, refine pores and firm the skin.

Veins & Blemishes

Comprehensive care for skin lesions and bumps, promoting clear and healthy skin.

Comprehensive solutions to address a range of body concerns, from stubborn fat to skin laxity.

Shape & Contour

Specialised treatments to refine stubborn pockets of fat, dimpling and contour irregularities for a balanced silhouette.

Skin Laxity & Marks

Firming and resurfacing treatments for loose body skin, stretch marks and post-pregnancy skin changes.

Veins & Thread Veins

Effective clearance of visible leg veins and thread veins to restore an even, unblemished appearance.

Expert treatment for the concerns that show first — lines, lost volume, tired eyes and slackening skin across the face, jawline and neck.

Eye Area

Focused treatment for the delicate eye area, where puffiness, hollowing, hooding and fine lines make you look tired.

Lines & Wrinkles

Smoothing treatments for the expression and static lines that form across the forehead, mouth and neck over time.

Sagging & Laxity

Lifting and tightening solutions for jowls, softening cheeks and a loss of definition through the jawline and neck.

Volume & Contouring

Tailored solutions to restore facial volume and enhance natural contours for a more youthful appearance.

Restorative and enhancing treatments for thinning hair, sparse brows and lashes that lack lift.

Brows & Lashes

Enhancement for sparse brows and straight, downturned lashes to frame and open up the eyes.

Hair Loss

Diagnostic-led treatment for thinning, shedding and patchy hair loss, including postpartum and autoimmune causes.

Targeted care for the health and appearance of your skin, from acne and rosacea to pigmentation, texture and scarring.

Acne & Blemishes

Clinical management of active breakouts, congestion, enlarged pores and the scarring acne leaves behind.

Pigmentation & Skin Tone

Corrective treatments for dark patches, sun damage and an uneven complexion, for clearer and more even skin.

Scars, Marks & Skin Lesions

Treatment and removal options for scars, burns, raised lesions and sun-related skin growths.

Sensitive & Inflamed Skin

Calming, evidence-based care for reactive, red and inflamed skin, including rosacea and eczema.

Texture & Skin Quality

Resurfacing and hydrating treatments for rough, dry or lacklustre skin that has lost its smoothness and glow.

    Book Now
Home  Face & Neck  Lines & Wrinkles  Smokers Lines

Smokers lines symptoms and causes

Doctor-led diagnosis and treatment for smokers lines

or Chat via Whatsapp Whatsapp logo

★★★★★

Over 61,329 patients agree

The condition

Lip Wrinkles

What are smokers lines?

Smoker’s lines are small, vertical lip lines that appear primarily above your upper lip. They’re often associated with smoking, but may also arise from things like sun exposure, ageing, having naturally thin lips, or even your family history. These lines can begin as fine creases in your 20s or 30s, deepening with time.

Smoker’s lines can start becoming prominent and make your lips appear thinner, adding to the signs of aging. Though some frown lines are part of the normal ageing process, excess can affect the appearance of your mouth. Fortunately, there are quick and easy options to help plump up a lip line or two and leave your lips looking a little smoother and more youthful.

Smokers lines vs smile lines

Smokers Lines

  • Location: Perioral region, especially above the upper lip.
  • Direction: Vertical wrinkles.
  • Cause: Repeated lip movements like puckering or smoking.
  • Depth: Usually fine, shallow lines.
  • Other names: Lip wrinkles, barcode lip lines, lipstick lines.
  • Common with age: Yes, especially with smokers or lip movements

Smile Lines

  • Location: From the sides of the nose to the corner of the mouth.
  • Direction: Curved or diagonal folds.
  • Cause: Repetitive facial expressions like smiling, speaking, frowning.
  • Depth: Deeper, more noticeable folds.
  • Other names: Laugh lines, nasolabial folds.
  • Common with age: Yes, due to loss of facial volume over the years
Book Appointment

The symptoms

Smoker’s lines are fine and superficial but may become more noticeable as we age.
They typically appear above or below the upper lip area and are most easily seen when you smile or pucker your lips.
Smoker’s lines show up as a few straight lines or as a web of smaller wrinkles around the mouth.
When to see a doctor?
Consultation Is The Key
When should you be worried?

Smoker’s lines don’t require immediate medical intervention, but if they bother you or impact your confidence, it’s a good idea to seek professional advice. A dermatologist at Harley Street Skin Clinic can advise on treatments and options that would help smooth the fine vertical lines, improve your skin and stimulate collagen production.

Potential treatment options
The causes
What causes smokers lines?

As you age, it’s perfectly natural for lip lines to develop. This is due to our skin reducing collagen and elastin production, proteins that help keep the skin smooth, plump, and hydrated.

Other factors, such as alcohol, poor sleep, smoking and sunlight increase lip wrinkles in the skin and can accelerate wrinkles around your lips.

The risk factors
What makes smokers lines more likely?

The below are contributing factors to the development of smokers lip lines:

  • Ageing: With aging, skin loses collagen and elastin, which form lines
  • Genetics: Others have thinner skin, which means they are more susceptible to wrinkles, including smoker’s lines
  • Dehydration: Dry skin can cause smokers’ lines to appear deeper
  • Lip products: Lipsticks or cosmetics can often be drying or irritating and help enhance smoker’s lines
The complications
Hidden Dangers
Can it be a serious problem?
  • It can affect some people’s perception of their appearance, making them feel older or less confident.

  • As time goes on, these lines can make skin around the mouth appear uneven or textured.

  • Around the mouth area, smoker’s lines can give aged looks.

  • These lines can cause makeup to settle into them, which in turn can make the wrinkles more pronounced.

Related podcast

No related podcast episodes found.

The prevention
Quit Smoking
Does quitting smoking prevent smoker’s lines?

Does quitting smoking prevent smoker’s lines?
Yes, if you smoke, quitting smoking is the best way to prevent smoker’s lines from worsening. Smoking destroys collagen and limits blood flow to the skin. Quitting cigarettes is also good for your skin and reduces the rate at which wrinkles form.

What happens to the skin after quitting?

Your skin begins to heal when you quit smoking. While it does not remove lines, it can give a more even skin tone and prevent the appearance of future lines. Skin can look fresher over time, and any treatments you decide to try may also be more effective.

Keep Your Lips Sun Safe
Why is it harmful?

Excessive sun can destroy collagen and elastin, and generate new wrinkles, including smoker’s lines. Wearing sunscreen every day even on cloudy days protects your skin and may help prevent early signs of ageing around the mouth.

The best way to protect your lips from the sun

Wear an SPF lip balm, and reapply often specifically when outside. Add a wide-brimmed hat or find shade when the sun is at its strongest. This one simple habit does wonders to prevent lip lines from deepening.

Stay Hydrated
Can drinking water really help with wrinkles?

Yes, hydration keeps skin plump and soft. So when your body is deficient in water, your skin might appear dry and dull, which can make wrinkles appear more prominent. Sufficient water intake daily helps glow skin inside out.

Keep in mind

Aim for at least 6 to 8 glasses of water each day, more if you’re active or in a hot climate. Eating water-containing foods like fruits and veggies can also help your skin to hydrate naturally.

Healthy Skin Habits
What skin products are beneficial?

Products with beneficial ingredients such as retinol, peptides, and hyaluronic acid can aid skin texture and firmness. Gentle exfoliation and daily moisturising also keep skin supple and diminish the appearance of fine lines.

Habits to avoid

Avoid harsh products that can dry you out as well, and try not to rub at your mouth and surrounding area too much. Gentle care through a simple, consistent routine builds your skin’s strength and youth over the years.

Limit Repetitive Lip Movement
Do habits like sipping through straws cause wrinkles?

Doing the same lip movements time after time, such as sipping through straws or frequently puckering your lips, can lead to fine lines. These motions wrinkle the skin and as time goes on, those lines can become permanent.

Reducing these movements

You should be drinking directly from cups, not straws, and especially avoiding lip puckering in general. Making small changes to your daily habits can help keep the skin around your mouth smooth for longer.

  • collapse expand
    Does quitting smoking prevent smoker’s lines?
  • collapse expand
    Why is it harmful?
  • collapse expand
    Can drinking water really help with wrinkles?
  • collapse expand
    What skin products are beneficial?
  • collapse expand
    Do habits like sipping through straws cause wrinkles?
Doctors smiling with clock in backgound
Amie-mara M.

Amie-mara M.

★★★★★

Very good advice and amazing staff!

11th September 2026

TROY the MAGICIAN

TROY The MAGICIAN

★★★★★

Amazing service as always!

10th September 2026

Patient smiling looking healthy
N El

N El

★★★★★

Easy in and out and explained everything for me :)

10th September 2026

Siobhan Shaw

Siobhan Shaw

★★★★★

Responsive and helpful

9th September 2026

Felix Gabriel Mance

Felix Gabriel Mance

★★★★★

Very good consultation with dr Tee

9th September 2026

Patient using iPad
Emma Shakeshaft

Emma Shakeshaft

★★★★★

Great experience at Harley Street Skin.

7th September 2026

Happy woman smiling
Hazael Wihanto

Hazael Wihanto

★★★★★

Really quick and straightforward

7th September 2026

Camilla Alge

Camilla Alge

★★★★★

Super frieny

7th September 2026

Two patients waiting to be seen
Lorena Fernandez

Lorena Fernandez

★★★★★

Amazing! Skin looks radiant after water peel.

24th August 2026

a zul

A Zul

★★★★★

Dr Tee was excellent with me thanks you ✨

19th August 2026

61,329

Happy patients served.

or Chat via Whatsapp Whatsapp logo

61,329

Happy patients served.

or Chat via Whatsapp Whatsapp logo

Need to reach us?
Contact or visit our clinic.

We're based in central London at the historic 14 Devonshire Pl which is only a short 2 minute walk from Regents Park tube station a 10 minute taxi journey to Kings Cross, and St Pancras stations.

We're open Monday - Friday 8am - 8pm, and Saturdays 9am - 5pm, feel free to drop in to talk to a member of our team where they can answer any of your questions.

Alternatively book an appointment, request a callback, chat via whatsapp Whatsapp logo , or call us on 0207 4364441.

Map
Book Appointment
At our Central London Clinic