As the seasons are changing and the temperatures are dropping the lips can be one of the first areas to shows signs of change becoming dry and flaky. Without the hot summer sun, the desire for thirst quenching drinks drops and results in more dehydrated lips.
Lips are in constant use with eating, drinking & communicating, so the lips and perioral region can start to show signs of aging earlier than other areas of the face. After the age of 30 the skin starts to loose collagen, which is the fiber that gives skin its strength, tone & volume.
"After age 30, our collagen level drops 1%-2% every year. By age 40, we have lost 10%-20% of our collagen. By 50, we are down 20%-40%," states Renew Alliance.
Each decade the lack of plumpness becomes more visible through biological change. Prevent and repair feather lines and loss of plumpness with targeted lip treatments.
Lips are only 3-5 cell layers thick, being thinner skinned they contain less oil glands. Licking lips to rehydrate has the opposite affect because saliva is dehydrating making the lips more vulnerable to dryness & chapping. Lip balms act as a quick fix, but the wrong ingredients can contribute to lip dehydration and dryness. Heavy mineral based balms can confuse the lip tissue and reduce the production of the lips natural moisture barrier which results in a lip balm addiction. Without the crutch of a heavy balm lips can become extremely dry, flaky and can even split and bleed in harsher climates.
The main muscle in the lips is the obicularis oris which is circular and is used to make a pucker up expression. Ageing skin looses its collagen & elastin and combined with dryness feather lines can form. Sipping through a straw or smoking can accelerate the aging process causing feather lines and wrinkles to form prematurely.
Regular use of lip treatment products that nourish and hydrate will improve the current lip condition and defend against further deterioration of the delicate lip tissue.
