Preserving Style: Beauty At Any Age (Lips)

The following "Beauty At Any Age" advice comes from the October 2013 Issue of InStyle Magazine

Pucker Up!: Secrets to Full, Smooth Lips

Go ahead—grin and LOL all you want through the decades. With these pro-approved products (and a few easy-to-keep habits), you’ll lock in a pretty pout for life.

20s – Start protecting your pucker now to ward off damage down the road. “The skin on your lips is thinner than it is on the rest of your body, and it has less melanin,” says N.Y.C. dermatologist Joshua Zeichner. That means your mouth is more vulnerable to UV damage (dark spots, fine lines, even cancer). Lips also have fewer oil glands, making them prone to dryness, so slick on a balm with shea butter and an SPF 15 or higher in the A.M., and reapply during the day. To prevent flaking, exfoliate weekly with a sugar scrub. MAYBELLINE NEW YORK, Baby Lips lip balm SPF 20, $4;maybeline.com. THE LIP SCRUB BY SARA HAPP in Sparkling Pink Grapefruit, $24; b-glowing.com

30s – As you lose collagen, you may start to notice your lips getting thinner, says Dr. Zeichner. The best tactic: Trade up for a balm infused with hyaluronic acid, a sponge-like molecule that draws water from lower layers to the surface of the skin for more fullness. Want an even lusher look? Grab a lip plumper. These glosses use ingredients such as cinnamon extracts to mildly irritate the surface, causing lips to temporarily swell. Don’t worry, says Dr. Zeichner as it’s great fix when applied sporadically. BLISTEX Deep Renewal, $3; drugstore.com. BITE BEAUTY Cinnamon Plumping Lip Oil, $22; at Sephora.

40s – Even with daily doses of sunscreen, years of exposure to UV waves can break down our collagen, a skin-firming protein. Also, our bodies now produce less of it, which results in tiny vertical lines on and around the mouth. Twice a day, apply a peptide-rich treatment to spike collagen also weakens the structure of the mouth, so its borders appear less defined,” Dr. Zeichner says. Make a hydrating color stick your new BFF, using it to define and fill your lips. DERMALOGICA Renewal Lip Complex, $26; Dermalogica.com. NEUTROGENIA Moisture Smooth Color Stick in Sweet Watermelon, $9; neutorgenia.com

50s and Over - As the Layer of fat beneath the skin around your mouth thins, the corners may start to sag, says Beverly Hills dermatologist Ava Shamban. Keep your smile buoyant with a lip treatment that offers a triple hit of benefits: a collagen-building peptide (look for Matrixyl 3000 on labels), antioxidants such as vitamins C and E to protect against cell-damaging free radicals caused by the sun, and hyaluronic acid for fullness. And wear lip gloss: The light reflecting formula (be sure it has peptides and moisturizing ceramides) maximizes your mouth. PETER THOMAS ROTH Un-wrinkle Lip, $30; peterthomasroth.com. MIRACLE SKIN TRANSFORMER Advanced Peptide Lip Treatment SPF 20 in Coral and Berry, $24 each; sephora.com.

Have a Pro Pump It Up!: Lusting after lush, pillowy lips and a dramatically smoother smile? All it may take is a few quick shots

TO RESTORE FULLNESS IN LIPS: RESTYLANE

WHAT IT IS The clear gel is a form of hyaluronic acid, says N.Y.C. dermatologist Ellen Marmur. It’s FDA-approved as a filler to enhance lip size. 

RESULTS The injected solution immediately plumps lips—the degree depends on how much is used. (Talk to your doctor beforehand about the look you’re going for so there are no surprises.) Results can last six to 12 months. 

COST One session is $500 to $900, says Dr. Marmur. 

PAIN FACTOR If a flu shot doesn’t faze you, you’ll be fine. If not, ask about a topical numbing agent to take away the sting. 

DOWNTIME Lips will swell, and you’ll get some redness in the area that can fade within 30 minutes, says Dr. Zeichner. Bruising is common and may take up to two weeks to clear. 

For more information, Check our restylaneusa.com

TO FILL MARIONETTE LINES: JUVEDERM

WHAT IT IS Approved by the FDA to plump facial wrinkles, this hyaluronic-acid gel injectable can fill in (and smooth out) creases at the corners of lips, says Dr. Marmur. 

RESULTS You’ll see improvement after a 15-to30-minute session, and the smooth look lasts up to a year. 

COST Expect $600 to $1,200 per syringe. 

PAIN FACTOR “It’s not much worse than a mosquito bite,” says Dr. Marmur, but if you’re the squeamish type, ask about a version of Juvederm that contains lidocaine for a temporary numbing effect. 

DOWNTIME You might experience redness (it goes away in minutes) and soreness (it can last about a week). Bruising is likely, says Dr. Marmur, and can last several days. 

For more information, Head to juvederm.com.