CALL US
contact form
  • Flag of Canada
Contact Us

Published: February 8, 2016
Updated: December 12, 2025
Written & Verified By: Dr. Craig Crippen MD CCFP FCFP

In this blog:

Why do I have thin lips?

Thin lips are a common cosmetic condition that affects thousands of people every year. Many women have come into the health clinic looking for effective and long-lasting solutions to this troubling problem. In the sections below, we outline some of the leading causes of thinning lips.

Causes & Treatments: Thin Lips

You're Pursing your LIps

Yes, that is all it takes if you do it obsessively. Some people do.  Human lips are fragile, and constantly putting pressure on them can reduce the amount of elasticity in them over time. This can mean lips that appear far thinner than they did previously.

If you’re already noticing the problem, treatment is likely to have more of an advantage than simply changing this habit once the damage is already done. Keep this one in mind after you’ve restored your lips to a strong shape with our help.

You’re Catching Rays without Protection

Sunscreen, for your lips? Sure. It’s certainly not typical to apply tanning oil to the ol’ kisser, but there are ways to protect your lips when you’re out-and-about. Wear hats with long brims during the hottest parts of the day. Large-brimmed hats offer your entire face shade from the light and heat, and you’ll need that protection to keep your lips at their fullest.

You’re Not Drinking Enough Water

Not getting enough water seems to be at the center of a lot of health problems, and thin lips are no exception. In every way that your body is elastic or supple, it relies of a healthy balance of water. Constantly being short on water will cause your body to de-prioritize the water-hungry systems that regulate the youthful glow of skin.

You’re Smoking

C’mon, you really didn’t think you could visit the website of any health professional and NOT get scolded for smoking, right? You’ve probably heard most of it before, but what you may not have heard is that thin lips are just another problem associated with smoking.

It’s not just the more aged look you have overall after smoking regularly for a long time, your lips are being punished in particular. Nicotine is an irritant to the skin, and lips can begin to show signs of damage after constant exposure. The constant heat coming out of cigarettes isn’t friendly to the look of your lips, either.

It’s just Genetic

Sometimes thin lips are just caused by your genetics or what you have inherited and there is nothing you can do about it besides filler. This is probably the most common reason for thin lips overall.

Aging

For some, lips can thin with age due to decreased collagen and fat production, which are generally essential for skin structure, growth, and “plumpness,” leading to thinner lips. Though similar to genetics, this may be something you inherit, and one of the only ways to improve lip thickness would be fillers.

Treatments for Thin Lips

Our treatments, including Juvederm for thin lips, are very effective. However, there are also many changes that you can make in your own life to reduce the threat of thin lips and the appearances that come with it. If you find that your lips are losing volume before or after treatments, it’s probably because one or more of the habits listed in the sections above describes you.

Need a fix for thinning lips? Book a Consultation.

While we are proud to be located in the beautiful Kelowna, BC, DermMedica is renowned across Canada and beyond. Our commitment to patient-friendly care and professional excellence is why clients frequently fly in from Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, and more to receive treatments from Dr. Crippen and our team. Dr. Crippen has been practicing since 2003 and has devoted his practice exclusively to cosmetic skin treatments due to rising demand. Whether you’re a local to Kelowna or traveling from afar, we welcome you to book a call or consultation to learn more about our lip filler services.

BOOK CONSULT

You May Also Like…

MORE BLOG POSTS

Back to School Acne & Acne Scar Treatments

August 12, 2016

It is that time of year again.  Time to start the Back to School planning!  For many people, particularly teenagers and young adults heading back to high school, college or university, it can be a very stressful time, especially if they have a breakout in acne and blemishes.  Therefore, NOW is the time to take preventative steps to have a glowing […]