Dr. Cristina Cobaleda specialist in aesthetic medicine
Aesthetic physician
Medical license no. 51612
Leading doctor in perioral lines
The doctor sees patients in BarcelonaView medical profile
Treatment for barcode lines (perioral lines)
Thinking about treating your barcode lines?
So-called barcode lines are the vertical lines that appear above the upper lip with age or because of habits such as smoking.
Price: 350 €
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Treatment duration:
20-45 minutes
With EcoDerm NESAI® ultrasound:
To consider
Duration:
6 to 12 months
Visible result:
From 1-2 weeks
Final result:
3 to 4 weeks
What are barcode lines (perioral lines)?
"Barcode lines" are the small vertical lines that appear above the upper lip with age or because of habits such as smoking. They are treated by combining a low-dose medical treatment with, when necessary, microinjections of low-density hyaluronic acid to fill the lines and rehydrate the area.
Evidence and medical backing
Perioral lines are the result of aging of the orbicularis muscle and thinning of the upper lip, made worse by smoking and sun exposure. The Academia Española de Dermatología y Venereología (AEDV, Spanish Academy of Dermatology and Venereology) describes the condition as one of the most characteristic signs of facial aging. The combined aesthetic medicine approach (botulinum toxin + low-density hyaluronic acid ± peel) is validated by the Sociedad Española de Medicina Estética (SEME, Spanish Society of Aesthetic Medicine) as a first-line non-surgical treatment.
What does treatment for barcode lines (perioral lines) involve?
The treatment is performed entirely in the doctor's office at Instituto de Benito in Barcelona or Madrid, in an outpatient session always designed and supervised by a licensed aesthetic doctor. It consists of the following steps:
Personalized medical assessment
Before the treatment, you have a consultation with the aesthetic doctor at Instituto de Benito, who studies your case, listens to your goals, rules out contraindications and designs a personalized plan. The first aesthetic medicine consultation costs €50 (deductible from your first treatment).
Preparing for the treatment
Preparation is simple: the area must be clean and free of creams. The doctor will tell you whether you should avoid any medication (anticoagulants, NSAIDs) in the days beforehand to minimize bruising, and will discuss with you any circumstances relevant to your safety.
Treatment application in the clinic
The doctor disinfects the area, applies topical anesthesia if necessary and performs the microinjections with very fine needles, following the plan designed. The session is carried out entirely in the doctor's office and the patient returns to their routine immediately.
Start seeing yourself the way you want to feel
Results appear within the timeframe expected for the treatment, with a natural, harmonious finish. The doctor gives you home care instructions and schedules your follow-up appointments.
Before and after treatment for lip barcode lines
How much does lip wrinkle treatment cost?
350 €
Hyaluronic acid €350 · Complementary chemical peel €150.
The final price depends on the area or areas to be treated, the product or cocktail used and the number of sessions the doctor recommends after the consultation. The first aesthetic medicine consultation costs €50 (deductible from your first treatment). We offer financing for extended treatments and treatment packages.
Are you a good candidate for perioral lines treatment?
Barcode lines (perioral lines) treatment is indicated for people in good general health who fit any of these profiles. Final suitability is confirmed by the doctor after the personalized consultation.
- 01
Vertical lines above the upper lip
The so-called "perioral lines" or "barcode lines".
- 02
Loss of definition of the lip contour
When the upper border of the lip becomes blurred.
- 03
Hydration and firming of the upper lip
As part of a perioral skin quality plan.
- 04
Smokers or ex-smokers
Smoking accelerates the appearance of barcode lines.
- 05
A better base for lipstick
When lipstick bleeds into the perioral lines.
- 06
Combination with a chemical peel
For a comprehensive result in deeply lined skin.
Who is not a candidate: contraindications for treating barcode lines (perioral lines)
Patient safety comes before any aesthetic result. Barcode lines (perioral lines) treatment should not be performed, or should be postponed, in the following cases:
| Contraindicación | Motivo |
|---|---|
| Pregnancy and breastfeeding | There are not enough safety studies on the fetus or the breastfed infant. |
| Clotting disorders or anticoagulants | High risk of extensive bruising or bleeding. |
| Active infection in the area | Folliculitis, herpes, infected eczema: risk of spreading. |
| Active autoimmune diseases | Lupus, scleroderma, dermatomyositis: unpredictable tissue response. |
| Immunosuppression | Active cancer treatment, uncontrolled HIV, transplant recipients. |
| Known allergy to the product | Risk of anaphylaxis. |
| Tendency to keloids | Risk of scarring. |
| Under 18 years of age | Unless very specifically prescribed by a doctor. |
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Risks and possible side effects of upper lip wrinkle treatment
Barcode lines (perioral lines) treatment is safe when performed by a licensed doctor in an authorized center with approved medical products. Even so, every medical procedure has a profile of possible effects that it is only honest to share with you.
What mild reactions are expected (resolving on their own in 24-72 hours)?
- Papules or small wheals at the injection points, which subside within minutes or hours
- Localized redness (erythema) in the area
- Mild bruising (more common in thin skin or if anticoagulants/NSAIDs are being taken)
- Tenderness or slight local discomfort
- Mild swelling for 24-72 hours
What are the less common side effects?
- Mild asymmetries that can be corrected at the touch-up appointment
- Hypersensitivity or itching that subsides within a few days
- Temporary post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation if the area is exposed to the sun
- In isolated cases: nodules or product irregularities that are corrected with massage or dissolving
What are the rare complications?
- Local or systemic allergic reactions
- Late-onset granulomas due to a reaction to the product
- In vascular areas: accidental vascular occlusion (extremely rare, manageable if detected in time)
- In cases of malpractice or treatment by unqualified practitioners: infections, persistent nodules, lipodystrophy or scarring
Our aesthetic medicine medical team
An aesthetic doctor from the IdB team decides how to treat barcode lines in each case.
Maria Elechiguerra, aesthetic medicine specialist
Aesthetic medicine specialist in Madrid
View medical profile
Commitment to facial aesthetic medicine
The vertical lines of the upper lip are one of the most technically demanding areas; at IdB we precisely combine low-dose anti-wrinkle botulinum toxin with superficial hyaluronic acid.
At Instituto de Benito, patient safety comes before any aesthetic goal. We work with audited clinical protocols, medical products with medical CE marking and batch traceability, single-use instruments, dedicated aesthetic medicine rooms and personalized follow-up between sessions. We never delegate a medical-aesthetic procedure to non-medical staff.
Where to get barcode lines treatment?
Related treatments
Frequently asked questions
What causes barcode lines above the lip?
A combination of skin aging, movement of the orbicularis muscle and factors such as smoking or sun exposure.
Which treatment is most effective?
A combination of medical procedures. In advanced cases it is complemented with a chemical peel.
When will I see results?
Visible from the first week, optimal at 2 weeks. Duration: 8-12 months depending on the product and technique.
Does smoking affect barcode lines?
Very much so. Smoking accelerates the appearance and deepening of barcode lines through the combination of the repeated movement of smoking and the effects of tobacco on collagen. If you smoke, the doctor will let you know, and the result will be more limited and shorter-lasting than in patients who do not smoke.
Can barcode lines be prevented?
Partially. Preventive measures include: not smoking, daily facial sun protection, consistent hydration of the perioral area with active ingredients (hyaluronic acid, retinoids), and regular facial mesotherapy or biorevitalization from the age of 30-35.
When is a chemical peel recommended?
When the texture is very marked or the patient wants a deeper treatment: a specific chemical peel (€150) renews the surface layer and improves the skin quality of the upper lip, complementing the effect of the filler and the botulinum toxin.
How long does it take to see results?
Visible from the first week, optimal at 2 weeks. Duration: 8-12 months depending on the product and technique. Patients notice an improvement in the mirror by the first weekend, before the result has fully settled.
Average rating: 4.8 / 5
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Violexys Hernández
Googlehace 7 meses
Me opere el pecho con la doctora Marina García en octubre. Tenía mucho miedo de la recuperación y del resultado final. Ojalá se pudiera dar 10 estrellas en lugar de 5. Muchas gracias por el apoyo, me he sentido segura en todo momento , volvería a elegirla.
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Aura Motiska
Googlehace 8 meses
I had a deep plane facelift with upper and lower blepharoplasty by Dr. David Neagu, and I couldn’t be happier. The results are incredibly natural—I look refreshed and like myself, just better. Dr. Neagu and his entire team were kind, caring, and highly skilled from start to finish. I felt supported every step of the...
Marleny Cruz Martinez
Googlehace 9 meses
El trato de Eva en cabina es siempre inmejorable, tanto el tratamiento en sí como las recomendaciones que te hace para seguir tratamiento en casa.
Elena Martinez
Googlehace 10 meses
Llevaba mucho tiempo planteándome una operación de pecho por el miedo a que quedara poco natural y que se ajustara a mis expectativas. En cuanto conocí a la Dra. Marina, supe que era el momento y que sería ella quien me operara. No me equivoqué. Muchas gracias por todo.
Maru Ortega
Googlehace 11 meses
Podría poner 20* a mí querido cirujano David Neagu por los veinte años que me ha quitado de la cara. Haces magia Doc!!! Mil gracias al equipazo por cuidarme: Monika, Julia, Cris, Eva. Un beso y abrazo gigante para tod@s
Cristina Betancor
Googlehace 11 meses
Encantada con el resultado y con el trato recibido por la doctora Marina y todo su equipo. Muy profesionales, atentos y cercanos en todo momento.
Nora Haxha
Googlehace 1 año
Such a lovely team and experience! From my first visit to the online follow-ups, everyone has been so kind, caring, and professional. Dr. Neagu and Dr. García are truly exceptional I couldn’t feel in better hands. Thank you for everything! 🤍
Beatriz Perelló Gonzalo
Googlehace 1 año
La doctora Irene y su asistente Laura, me hicieron confiar desde el principio! Pero Los resultados superaron mis expectativas, me dejé llevar y ahora parezco 10 años menos, una piel increíble y me siento con mucha más confianza. 1000 recomendable! La doctora es un amor
Teresa Pacho
Googlehace 1 año
Trato profesional y cercano. Excelencia en la cirujana Marina Garcia y todo el equipo. Honestidad en la comunicación.
Dolores Peñalver
Googlehace 1 año
Mi experiencia en el Instituto de Benito ha sido excelente. Agradecer a la Doctora María Gijón y a todo su equipo por su gran profesionalidad y por ayudar a los clientes ante cualquier duda o aclaración
Marisa Canseco
Googlehace 1 año
El doctor Fernández y su enfermera Cristina son profesionales excelentes y dan un estupendo trato. Los recomiendo al 100%. Los resultados se ajustan totalmente a lo que se comprometen.
Sandra TB
Googlehace 1 año
Agradecer enormemente a la Doctora Marina por el trato durante todo el proceso y por el resultado final. Mi experiencia ha sido maravillosa. Agradecer también a Montse por hacer que esto sea posible.
julia juan fornes
Googlehace 1 año
La Dra Marina Garcia muy profesional y transmite muchísima confianza desde el primer momento.
Maragda L
Googlehace 8 meses
Mi experiencia ha sido de lo mejor, me he sentido totalmente cuidada en todo el proceso de mi operación desde Mónica siempre atenta a mis consultas, hasta las chicas de los masajes y cómo no, con el doctor Orestes Fernández con quién me he sentido acompañada en toda la operación y sobre todo recuperación. Sin duda...
Paula Roldan Martinez-checa
Googlehace 10 meses
La Doctora Marina Garcia es totalmente un acierto. Sinceridad desde el primer momento, te escucha y te aconseja conforme tu idea y de manera que quede lo más natural y bonito posible, siendo siempre realistas. El resultado totalmente bonito, más natural y mejor de lo que incluso yo me pensaba. Una recuperación súper...