Lip Line & Smoker’s Line Treatment

Refine the lip border and smooth vertical lines for a softer smile

Fine lines around the upper lip — often known as “smoker’s lines” — can appear due to natural ageing, repetitive lip movement, sun exposure, or lifestyle habits such as smoking. These lines can develop even in non-smokers and may run in families.

At our Sydney clinic, we offer advanced non-surgical treatments to soften these lines, define the lip border, and restore a smoother, more refreshed appearance — all while maintaining natural movement and expression.

What Causes Lines Around the Lips?

Lip lines can be caused by a combination of factors such as:

Repetitive pursing or movement of the lips
Gradual collagen and elastin loss
Sun exposure
Hereditary traits
Lifestyle habits such as smoking, straw use, or frequent lip movement

Over time, these lines can become more noticeable even at rest, giving the mouth a slightly aged or tired look.

Treatment Approach

Our approach combines preventative and restorative treatments to help soften existing lines and support skin resilience around the mouth.
Collagen-stimulating and lifting treatments can also help strengthen and smooth the skin, improving fine lines over time.

Preventative treatments help reduce repetitive muscle movement and slow the formation of new lines, supporting longer-lasting smoothness.

Threads as an Alternative or Complementary Option

For some patients, collagen-stimulating threads can be used around the mouth area to help lift and firm the skin naturally.
These threads encourage collagen production, gradually improving texture and fine lines while refining the shape of the lip border.
Your practitioner will discuss whether threads alone or in combination with other non-surgical methods are most appropriate for your goals.

Consultation & Assessment

Your consultation includes a detailed discussion of your lifestyle, history, and treatment preferences.
We’ll explore:

Family history of lip lines
Past experiences with facial treatments
Lifestyle habits such as smoking or frequent exercise
Desired outcomes — subtle softening or a stronger result
Any previous concerns with lip movement or comfort

During assessment, your practitioner will also evaluate:

Muscle movement when speaking or smiling
Whether lines are visible at rest or only during movement
Natural asymmetry or muscle dominance
Balance between upper and lower lips

Treatment Experience

The procedure is quick and gentle:

The skin is cleaned with antiseptic.
Cooling is applied to reduce sensation.
Targeted application is performed around the upper lip.
Light pressure is applied afterwards.

Comfort options include:

Cooling with ice before and after treatment
Optional topical numbing cream (applied 30–45 minutes before)
Nitrous oxide (“happy gas”) for added relaxation

Most patients find the experience comfortable and resume normal activities immediately afterwards.

Aftercare Guidelines

For optimal results and comfort:

Avoid makeup for 4 hours
Do not touch or massage the area
Avoid lying flat or exercising for 4 hours
Refrain from using active skincare (e.g. retinol or acids) for 24 hours

What to Expect Afterwards

You may notice:

Slight redness or tiny bumps that settle quickly
Mild bruising in some cases
Minimal downtime — most people return to regular activities immediately

Results vary depending on the treatment type:

Some effects develop gradually over 2–8 days
Full refinement is visible by around 4 weeks
A review appointment is recommended after 4 weeks for new clients

Possible Side Effects

Lip line treatments are considered low risk when performed by experienced professionals.
Temporary effects may include:

Mild redness, bruising, or swelling
Temporary asymmetry as results settle
Slight headache (uncommon)
Rarely, subtle changes in lip function if treatment is strong

These effects are usually short-lived and discussed in detail during consultation.

Longevity of Results

Results depend on factors such as lifestyle, metabolism, and treatment type.
As a general guide:

Peak effect at 3–4 weeks
Some movement returns by 8–12 weeks
Most results gradually fade by 4 months
Other collagen-based options may last 6–12 months

Maintenance is typically recommended every 3–4 months or as advised by your practitioner.

Pricing

Australian regulations prevent us from sharing pricing

Please see our treatment pricing page for more information.

Treatment

Lip Lines