Lip & Perioral Lines Treatment — Cheongdam & Apgujeong, Seoul

Why lines form around the mouth

The mouth is one of the most mobile parts of the face. A ring-shaped muscle, the orbicularis oris, purses and moves the lips thousands of times a day as we speak, eat, drink and smile. The skin attached to it is thin, and its upper lip area has relatively little fat cushioning. Over time, several changes combine.

• Repeated muscle movement. Pursing — through speech habits, drinking through straws, playing wind instruments or smoking — folds the skin along vertical paths that eventually remain at rest.
• Thinning skin. Collagen and elastin decline with age, and the skin of the upper lip loses the thickness that once resisted creasing.
• Sun damage. The upper lip is frequently exposed and often missed by sunscreen, so photoageing adds fine texture and lines.
• Lip volume loss. Lips gradually flatten and the border (vermilion border) becomes less defined, so lines can run across it.
• Support from teeth and bone. Tooth loss, wear or changes in the bite reduce support behind the lips, which deepens perioral folding.

Smoking accelerates nearly all of these processes, which is why these lines are sometimes called smoker’s lines — but many non-smokers develop them too.

How Doje Clinic assesses the mouth area

Treating the mouth requires restraint. Too much toxin can affect speech, drinking or smiling; too much filler can create a heavy or unnatural lip. In a private 1:1 consultation, Dr. Byun Jeik looks at the lines at rest and in motion, the definition of the lip border, lip volume, the position of the mouth corners and how the lower face supports the area. Skin quality is assessed too, using Mark-View 3D skin analysis where useful.

Dr. Byun was named among Korea’s 22 filler experts by Medical Times, and his focus around the mouth is on subtle, layered correction rather than a single dramatic change.

Options from mild to advanced

1. Protection and habits. Lip sunscreen, stopping smoking and reducing straw use slow progression.
2. Skin boosters. Rejuran, exosome or Re2O aim to improve skin thickness and fine texture around the mouth over a course. See skin boosters.
3. Skin Botox. Superficial micro-dosing can soften fine crepey texture without the stronger effect of conventional dosing.
4. Micro-dosed Botox. Very small doses into the lip muscle may relax pursing lines in suitable patients, placed carefully to preserve function.
5. Very soft filler. Soft filler in tiny amounts can soften etched lines and gently support the lip border.
6. Texture work. Potenza-based treatment for wider textural change around the mouth.

Where Doje’s programs fit

Perioral lines rarely exist alone. When the mouth corners turn down or marionette lines have formed, the Marionette Program — Doje signature lower-face thread lift and marionette soft filler, with options such as Radiesse, Ultherapy Prime, Softwave or GOURI/Re2O — addresses the support around the mouth. Isolated lip lines are usually treated with single treatments.

When another specialist is more appropriate

If perioral folding is linked to missing teeth, worn teeth or a collapsed bite, a dentist or prosthodontist may restore support more effectively than any injectable. A sore, scaly patch or non-healing spot on the lip should be assessed by a dermatologist rather than treated cosmetically.

What to expect

1. 1:1 consultation and assessment at rest and in speech.
2. A plan starting with the gentlest effective step.
3. Treatment; small bumps, swelling or bruising around the lips can last a few days.
4. Review after two to four weeks before any additional step.

Cost

Plans vary from a single treatment to a combination, so costs are quoted after a 1:1 consultation. Korean aesthetic fees are non-covered (비급여); ask for a written quote.

Frequently asked questions

What causes vertical lip lines?

Repeated pursing of the lip muscle, thinning skin, sun exposure, smoking and reduced lip and dental support all contribute.

Will Botox around the mouth affect speaking?

Too much can. Doje uses very small, carefully placed doses when Botox is suitable, to keep speech and expression natural.

Can filler make my lips look unnatural?

Overfilling can. Soft filler in small amounts aims to soften lines and support the border rather than enlarge the lips.

Do skin boosters help lip lines?

Boosters aim to improve skin thickness and texture, which can soften fine lines over a course. Results vary.

Should I see a dentist first?

If you have missing or worn teeth or bite changes, dental assessment may restore support that injectables cannot.

How much does treatment cost?

It is quoted after a 1:1 consultation. Korean aesthetic fees are non-covered and set per plan, so request a written quote.

Related at Doje Clinic

• Drooping mouth corners
• Marionette lines
• Fine lines
• Botox vs Skin Botox
• Avoiding the overfilled look
• Filler aftercare

Medical information on this page is general education, not a diagnosis. Suitability, risks and the final plan are confirmed in a 1:1 consultation with Dr. Byun Jeik. Last updated 17 October 2026.