So, Anti-Wrinkle Straws Are Now A Thing

Welcome to the Stanley cup sag saga. Yes, you heard right: sag saga. Creators on TikTok have managed to get themselves in a spin over concerns that their Stanley cups (and other reusable bottles) could be hurrying along the appearance of fine lines around the mouth – caused by sucking on straws. The social media-provided solution? Anti-wrinkle straws. But we can’t help but wonder if it’s just a fad, or if these oh-so-handily-timed tools really do what they promise. We ask the experts to weigh in.

What Is An Anti-Wrinkle Straw?

‘An anti-wrinkle straw is a type of straw that has been shaped in a way that helps stop you pursing your lips when drinking,’ explains Ireland Mullany, an aesthetics practitioner and qualified paramedic.

‘It’s marketed as being designed to reduce the formation of wrinkles, especially around the mouth area,’ adds Dr Nyla Raja, a cosmetic doctor and dermatologist. ‘The idea behind it is that by using a straw, you can avoid pursing your lips as much, which is a common action that can contribute to the development of fine lines and wrinkles around the mouth over time.’

@dr.farzan According to Allure, drinking out of straws regularly can cause wrinkles. When you use straws, you’re pursing your lips repeatedly, leading to the appearance of perioral wrinkles earlier. #wrinkles #antiaging #strawwrinkles ♬ Area Codes – Kaliii

As usual, the growing interest in anti-wrinkle straws comes down to concerns over aging. ‘People are becoming more interested in slowing down those visible signs of aging,’ notes Ireland. ‘It probably doesn’t help that we see lots of these “problems” on social media, which makes people more aware of different ways to achieve an anti-aged look.’

‘A growing interest in skincare and aging prevention has brought great attention to the anti-wrinkle straw,’ agrees Dr Nyla. ‘People are increasingly looking for tools and habits that might give them an edge in slowing down the aging process, even for seemingly minor things like drinking. Additionally, the rise of social media and influencers has played a big role in making these niche products more visible. If a celebrity or skincare influencer shows off something like an anti-wrinkle straw, it can quickly catch on as part of the latest beauty trend.’

Do Straws Cause Wrinkles?

If you didn’t know that straws could cause wrinkles, you’re not alone. While still somewhat debated, it’s thought that using a straw repeatedly over long periods of time can contribute to the appearance of fine lines around the mouth. This is because, when you use a straw, you purse your lips – which can encourage the break down of collagen in the skin here over time, leading to fine lines and wrinkles. (It’s the same thing we see with ‘smoker’s lips’.)

‘The act of drinking through any straw does not have a guaranteed or dramatic effect on wrinkles, however repetitive movements over time do,’ emphasises Dr Nyla. ‘If you’re mindful of sipping gently instead of sucking too hard, it may help lessen the strain on your lips.’

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Do Anti-Wrinkle Straws Actually Work?

Due to lack of studies and evidence, we can’t concretely say that anti-wrinkle straws do or don’t work. ‘The concept of an anti-wrinkle straw has gained attention in the beauty world, however it’s important to note that the actual effectiveness of anti-wrinkle straws is debated,’ highlights Dr Nyla. ‘The idea behind them is that they encourage you to drink in a way that reduces excessive puckering or muscle tension around your lips, which some believe might help prevent fine lines over time.

‘Most wrinkles around the mouth are caused by repetitive muscle movements, like smiling or pursing your lips (or when drinking from a regular straw). While some people think these specialised straws may encourage a different way of drinking that avoids these repetitive movements, there’s no concrete scientific evidence that they’ll actually prevent or reduce wrinkles in any significant way.’

Ireland notes that they’re also not a complete cure-all. ‘They will work to an extent, as they prevent repetitive muscle movements which cause creasing in the skin,’ she says. ‘Over time, these creases become more permanent, so it does make sense to be mindful of how often you use a straw. But it’s also important to be aware of the many other reasons as to why you would make this expression – for example, smoking or vaping – which could have a much bigger impact than a straw.’

How To Drink Through A Straw Without Causing Wrinkles

There are a few tricks you can pick up (that don’t require an anti-wrinkle straw). Ireland suggests drinking with a straw from the side of your mouth, if you can’t part with a straw.

Dr Nyla, meanwhile, says that ‘the wider the straw, the less puckering you’ll do. This can reduce the repetitive lip movement that might contribute to lines.’ She also recommends keeping this area around the mouth extra hydrated. ‘Keeping your skin well-hydrated helps maintain elasticity, so the skin around your mouth won’t sag or wrinkle as easily.’

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Should We Ditch The Straw Entirely?

If you can, then it might be a good idea in the long run – but it’s not a necessity. ‘If you can’t give up straws entirely, just try using them less often,’ supplies Dr Nyla. ‘Occasionally switching up your drinking habits can reduce the strain on those facial muscles.’

How To Get Rid Of (& Prevent) Wrinkles Around The Mouth

‘If you believe straws have accelerated wrinkles around the mouth and lips, there are ways to minimise the appearance of movement lines,’ says Dr Nyla. Below, she lists some of her recommendations:

Skincare

‘Use products that hydrate the lips and promote collagen production with ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and peptides. Regular use of anti-aging skincare products with ingredients like vitamin C, retinoids and peptides, can help stimulate collagen production and support the skin’s resilience against wrinkles.’

Anti-Wrinkle Treatments

‘For more immediate results, Botox or dermal fillers around the mouth area can instantly smooth out lines.’ We’ve rounded up London’s best spots for Botox here.

SPF

‘Lastly, sun protection wear is super important in protecting accelerated wrinkles caused by UV damage. Always apply sunscreen to your face, especially around the mouth area and use a lip specific SPF.’

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The Final Word On Anti-Wrinkle Straws

When it comes down to it, our experts believe that straws don’t have as big an impact on our skin as the internet suggests. ‘Wrinkles caused by straws are not something to worry about in general as there is a lack of scientific evidence to confirm the need for anti-wrinkle straws, whilst a great marketing gimmick,’ explains Dr Nyla. ‘Wrinkles can be influenced by age, genetic, UV exposure, lifestyle, diet and are an inevitable part of aging.’

‘Ageing is natural,’ agrees Ireland. ‘And it shouldn’t define our confidence, or influence every action we take.’

Featured image: Zino de Groot, Unsplash