If you’re a smoker, there are simply so many risks involved. One of the less serious ones is the development of what’s called smoker’s wrinkles. While just cosmetic in nature, having these vertical lines above the lips can have a considerable impact on your self-esteem and self-confidence.

Just like so many other types of wrinkles that can form on your face, there are a variety of treatments available these days for smoker’s wrinkles, and the injection of the likes of botox and fillers are some of the most popular ones.

But then there are also a variety of home remedies for smoker’s wrinkles, and they are perfect for individuals who are not comfortable with the thought of being poked by needles. Since there are tons of terrifying stories about wrinkle treatments on the internet, many women prefer to deal with wrinkles all-naturally.

If you are not happy with the presence of smoker’s wrinkles, read on. The following are some of the things that you may try at home to get rid of those unsightly lines:

Quit Smoking

The very first step that any smoker who has smoker’s wrinkles has to do is ditch cigarette smoking. Toxins in cigarette smoke accelerate the disintegration of collagen, which then makes it very easy for wrinkles to appear. But other than keeping smoker’s wrinkles from worsening, quitting smoking also lets you enjoy so many health perks.

Hydrate

It’s also very important for you to keep your body hydrated in order to have your skin moisturized from the inside out. With sufficient moisture, those smoker’s wrinkles become less noticeable. And if you just quit smoking, proper hydration assists in the removal of all the poisonous substances cigarettes have caused to accumulate in your body.

Apply Coconut Oil

Other than hydrating from within, hydrating outside is also a must to keep moisture locked in. One of the best ways to do this is by regularly massaging a thin layer of coconut oil on that space between your nose and lips. Make it a habit to apply a little coconut oil on those smoker’s wrinkles just before you hit the hay.

Try Aloe Vera Gel

Many women swear by the effectiveness of aloe vera gel in zapping smoker’s wrinkles as well as any other type of wrinkle on the face. Aloe vera gel is loaded with vitamin E that helps repair and protect damaged areas of the skin. Allow aloe vera gel to remain in place for about 15 to 20 minutes before thoroughly rinsing it off with water.

Lemon or Papaya Juice

Earlier, it was mentioned that smoking causes collagen to deteriorate. Well, you can encourage your body to produce more collagen with the regular application of either lemon or papaya juice on smoker’s wrinkles — their vitamin C content is a precursor to collagen. Don’t forget to include vitamin C-rich fruits and vegetables in your diet, too!

Exfoliate

About once or twice a week, it’s a good idea to exfoliate to remove excess dead skin cells and stimulate the production of new ones. A very easy exfoliating agent that you may whip up at home involves mixing 2 parts brown sugar and 1 part olive oil. Gently massage it on those smoker’s wrinkles for about a couple of minutes before washing your face.

Protect From the Sun

It’s a must for you to also shield your face from the sun if you want to keep smoker’s wrinkles from worsening. You see, the sun gives off UV rays can cause the destruction of collagen, and that’s why it is commonly blamed for the appearance of premature wrinkles. Buy and apply a high quality sunscreen with an SPF of not less than 15.

Don’t forget to share this article to let your beauty-conscious family and friends know, too, how they can combat smoker’s wrinkles at home!