As we age, our bodies naturally produce less collagen and hyaluronic acid, resulting in a serious downtick of volume in once-plump areas such as our lips. “This loss of collagen and hyaluronic acid means lips lose their distinct shape and border as well as the ability to hold onto internal moisture over time,” says Campbell, CA dermatologist Amelia K. Hausauer, MD, noting that “peak lip volume” actually occurs around age 14 to 18, after which point it begins to decline.
Dr. Hausauer says the lips’ scientific makeup also plays a role in its thinning. “Lip skin is thinner than other areas of the face and body and does not contain sebaceous—aka sweat or oil—glands, so it shows changes such as dehydration and deflation more readily,” says the doctor.
Additional factors such as excessive sun exposure, genetics and lifestyle choices can also greatly accelerate the process and create less-than-full lips, lip lines and lack of definition even faster. The silver lining: there’s a way to prevent some of it. Ahead, 10 ways to reverse and curb lip aging.
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