What are smokers lines?
Smokers lines are the small vertical lip lines that form above the upper lip, sometimes called perioral lines or lipstick lines. You do not need to have smoked to get them, as sun, ageing and everyday lip movement all play a part. They are different from marionette lines, which run downward from the corners of the mouth.
At Vista Clinic we use dermal fillers to soften these vertical lines, so the mouth area looks smoother and more rested.
What can filler around the mouth help with?
Filler around the mouth can help soften the vertical smokers lines above the lip and the finer creases at the lip border. A smokers lines treatment works best when we look at the whole lip area together, rather than chasing one line at a time. For the lines that run down from the corners of the mouth towards the chin, see our marionette lines filler page.
What happens at your appointment?
Your visit starts with a chat about what bothers you, and we examine the area in person before recommending anything. The treatment itself is quick, and most people go straight back to their day. Mild redness or swelling around the mouth is common and usually settles quickly.
How long do results last?
Results around the mouth vary from person to person, because the lips move constantly and filler here softens gradually. Many people find the result lasts several months to a year before a top-up is worth considering. We give you a personal idea of what to expect at your consultation.
Do dermal fillers work for lines around the mouth?
Yes, dermal fillers are one of the most effective ways to soften lines around the mouth once they have settled into the skin. A small amount of filler placed along the lip line and in the lines themselves can smooth the area while keeping your natural expression. We take a gradual approach, so the result looks like you on a good day rather than an obvious change.
Can you soften vertical lip lines naturally?
Daily SPF, not smoking and keeping the skin well moisturised can all slow vertical lip lines down. What they cannot do is fill a line that is already etched into the skin. If the lines still bother you after taking care of the basics, filler can help soften them, and we are happy to talk through both options honestly.
Smokers lines treatment at Vista Clinic in Stillorgan, Dublin
We are based in Stillorgan, South Dublin, with evening and Saturday appointments. Every treatment starts with a consultation, so we can see what suits your face and be honest about what filler can and cannot do. You can browse all our dermal filler treatments, or book by phone or WhatsApp.
Why lines form around the mouth
Several things change at once as a face ages. The skin makes less collagen and less hyaluronic acid, so it loses tone and holds less water. The muscles underneath lose some of their tightness. The layer of fat that padded the area is gradually reabsorbed. And beneath all of that, the bone that gives the face its shape thins. Smoking, sun exposure and sunbeds can each speed that process up.
The area around the mouth feels this more than most. The mandible, the lower jaw bone, thins with age, so the frame the lips sit on is no longer what it was. Teeth can shift and become less stable, and where a tooth is eventually lost the bone that held it recedes with it. Once the skin above the top lip loses the support underneath, the vertical lines start to show on the surface.
This is why we look at the whole perioral area rather than at one line at a time, and why filler is placed where the support has gone rather than only into the crease you can see.
Needle or cannula
Where the lines are superficial and only need a light correction, we use fine needle injections and place small amounts into each line around the lip. Where more correction is needed, a cannula is the better tool: it is blunt, so there is less bruising and it is generally more comfortable. We decide with you rather than defaulting to one.
The first few weeks
The lines soften immediately. Improvement carries on for about two to three weeks as things settle, and if more correction is needed after that we can add at a review rather than overfilling on the day. Swelling, redness, tenderness at the injection points and the occasional bruise are all normal and short lived. Our aftercare notes for the first two days explain how to look after the area.
What else helps around the mouth
Filler is not the only thing that works here. Skin peels and the right home skincare improve the texture of the skin around the mouth, and PRP or microneedling can tighten the area by working on the skin itself rather than the line. We often suggest combining them, and we will say at the consultation if that would serve you better than more filler.
Who should not have this treatment
Most people tolerate filler around the mouth well, but there are situations where we would postpone or decline. Some of them mean waiting rather than ruling the treatment out. We check all of this at the consultation, so tell us about your health and anything you are taking.
- pregnancy or breastfeeding
- an active skin infection in the area we would be treating
- autoimmune or bleeding disorders
- blood-thinning medication, unless your doctor has cleared it
- a known allergy or sensitivity to any of the ingredients
- surgery, filler, laser or a chemical peel in the same area within the previous two to four weeks
That is not the whole list. Your own medical history can raise something else, so a nurse goes through it with you before anything is booked.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does smoker lines filler cost in Dublin?
Price for this treatment starts at €275. See our full range of dermal filler treatments for more detail.
How long do fillers for smokers lines last?
Effects last an average of 12 months. Treatment results will vary with the individual, as set out above.
What is the best filler for smokers lines?
There is no single best option, the technique is chosen for the level of correction needed. This is discussed with each of our patients to decide which technique is best.
Does this treat lines around the mouth that are not caused by smoking?
Yes. Many people know those lines as smoker lines although they are not always caused by smoking, and the same perioral area is treated either way.
Do I need a consultation before treatment?
Yes, and it is included in every treatment. There is no single best technique for the perioral area, so we look at the lines in person and agree the approach with you first.
Where in Dublin can I have smoker lines filler treatment?
Vista Clinic is at 18 Priory Office Park, Stillorgan, Dublin, A94 R5P6. We are open Monday to Friday from 2pm to 9pm and on Saturday from 2pm to 6pm. Sunday is by reservation only.
Thinking About Filler for Lines Around the Mouth?
People searching for smokers lines treatment or filler around the mouth usually arrive with the same worry: whether the result will look obvious.
That is a fair question and it is what the consultation is for. We will look at the area, talk through what you want out of it, and say plainly if something else would suit you better.
Cost depends on what the area needs, and you are given a figure before you commit to anything. The clinic is in Stillorgan, on the south side of Dublin. Call or send a message if you would rather talk first.
Treatment Price
Smoker Lines Fillers 1ml: €275
Consultation is included in every treatment.
