Preventing Wrinkles: Does Not Making Facial Expressions Help?

Repetitive expressions are one of the main causes of lines and wrinkles. The facial movements you do every day form a groove beneath the skin’s surface, which can turn into a wrinkle later on. The skin also becomes less firm and elastic with aging, diminishing its ability to snap back in place and making those grooves permanent. 

It is also worth noting that repetitive facial expressions can cause the collagen in your skin to break down in that specific area. The decline in collagen and elastin production due to aging and other factors, along with slow skin cell production and thinning skin layers all contribute to the appearance of creases and wrinkles.

Are you at risk of having wrinkles early on?

Wrinkles are a normal part of aging. Some get them later in life, around 50s or 60s, while others notice their appearance early in life, like around 30s or even sooner. You may be at risk of the latter if:

• You smoke cigarettes or tobacco products
• Your skin is constantly exposed to the sun
• You drink too much alcohol
• You are chronically stressed or have poor sleep quality

Will stopping facial expressions help prevent wrinkles?

It does help as repeated expressions can cause wrinkles later in life. Not making facial expressions, however, is difficult, and it is almost impossible to stop squinting, smiling, frowning, or raising your eyebrows. Also, you shouldn’t rely on stopping making faces just to avoid fines and wrinkles; it’s not practical or sustainable. 

It is worth mentioning that facial expressions are not the only ones that can cause wrinkles. There are also other factors at play. Everyone who ages, furthermore, gets lines, creases, and wrinkles, as the skin becomes drier and thinner, with less ability to protect itself from damage.  

Other factors that can contribute to the formation of wrinkles include:

• Sun exposure (sunbathing, tanning booths, outdoor sports)
• Smoking
• Dehydration
• Poor nutrition
• Too much stress
• Certain environmental and genetic factors

You can limit making certain facial expressions, but there is no need to stop them altogether. What’s advisable is to do whatever you can to keep those existing lines from deepening or becoming more prominent. It can be through your skincare regimen like using sunscreen every day or wearing sunglasses or hats to stop squinting in bright sunlight. 

If your wrinkles bother you

Botulinum toxin is a popular treatment for fine lines and wrinkles. As its name suggests, it uses a neurotoxin protein called botulinum toxin, which temporarily blocks the signal from a nerve to a muscle. This then relaxes or softens the wrinkles, improving their appearance. It can be used on the:

• Horizontal forehead wrinkles
• Frown lines between the brows
• Crow’s feet or wrinkles on the corner of the eyes
• Smoker’s lines or upper lip wrinkles

Do take note that it can take about two weeks to see the full results of anti-wrinkle injectables. The results last between three and six months, or longer with repeated injections. It is important to look for a skilled and experienced injector to achieve natural-looking results and avoid unwanted side effects.

Dermal fillers can also help, especially in filling in unwanted lines and creases due to volume loss. Fillers like those made with hyaluronic acid can help reduce the appearance of fine lines, as well as improve the contour of the face. There are also calcium-based fillers for smoothing moderate to severe folds and wrinkles.

Just like botulinum toxin, dermal fillers also take time to fully settle and blend with the surrounding tissues. The results are not permanent and can last between nine and 18 months or longer, depending on the type of fillers chosen. Read our previous post to know the 5 things to look out for when doing fillers. 

What about your skincare routine?

There is no perfect or one-size-fits-all skincare routine for preventing wrinkles. In many cases, it can take some trial and error to find out what suits you best. There are, however, some factors to take into account when building an anti-aging regimen.

• Choose medical-grade products or those with quality ingredients, including peptides, retinol, and antioxidants.
• Always wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or more when going out. Practice other sun protection measures such as using an umbrella, wearing protective clothing, and limiting sun exposure. 
• Keep it simple and avoid using multiple products at once. Start with just one product to see how your skin reacts before adding new ones.
• Give your products time to work (several weeks to a few months).
• Be consistent with your skin care regimen and continue using products that work. Don’t stop even if you get the results you want.

Further reading: 7 Skincare Resolutions to Commit to in 2023

Doing research and talking to skin care experts can help you build or get the most out of your skincare routine. They can make product recommendations, as well as suggest treatments that can help soften wrinkles or improve the overall quality of your skin. 

Book a consultation

Do fine lines and wrinkles bother you? Get in touch with us today. We have non-surgical treatments such as cosmetic injectables that can relax or minimize the appearance of wrinkles and other signs of aging. Contact Cutis Medical Laser Clinics in Singapore to book a consultation with one of our aesthetic doctors.