Some people naturally have thinner lips than others. While there is nothing wrong with having thin lips, it can affect how people feel about themselves and cause them to be self-conscious about that area of their face.
What do thin lips mean?
Thin lips lack that full, plump definition and appear to have less volume than the average. Thin lips are a widespread complaint among both men and women. Many say having thin lips gives a more serious, emotionally cold look, whereas full plump lips are perceived to be more aesthetically pleasing. A lot of women have commented that having fuller lips makes them look more feminine.
Are thin lips genetic?
This is a question that is asked by a lot of people who visit our clinic. The simple answer is yes— genetics is one of the main causes of thin lips. Most people with thin lips simply inherited it from their parents. However, there are other factors to consider, but people with thin lips were often born that way.
Can smoking cause thin lips?
Outside of genetics, thin lips can be attributed to several lifestyle factors. For one, smoking is another cause of thin lips. Smoking is an unhealthy habit for many reasons, but many people don’t think about the negative impact it can have on their lips.
Smoking accelerates the skin’s aging process. The harmful toxins in tobacco smoke actually damage and break down our skin’s best friend, ‘collagen,’ which in turn reduces the elasticity and fullness of our lips. Not only this, but the repetitive physical motion of smoking a cigarette can weaken your skin’s fibers and result in wrinkles around the lips too. These are often referred to as lip lines or smoker’s lines.
Other factors that can cause thin lips include too much sun exposure and even dehydration. The lips are particularly susceptible due to their constant exposure to the elements.
Natural aging can also result in thin lips. Our lips is particularly vulnerable to aging as our bodies produce less collagen as we age.