Should You Blame Smiling for Wrinkles?

As repetitive muscle movements can cause the skin to wrinkle, many believe that avoiding certain expressions like smiling can prevent wrinkling. Is there any truth to this? Does this mean you should avoid smiling to prevent lines and wrinkles?

What contributes to wrinkles

While it is true that repeated facial movements can lead to wrinkles, it is not the only thing to blame. The natural aging process, which causes the skin to become less elastic, can result in wrinkles. Also, facial fat diminishes with aging, causing the skin to look loose and saggy with more pronounced wrinkles.

A number of factors (you can and cannot control) can also contribute to wrinkle formation:

• UV exposure – UV rays damage the collagen and elastin fibers, which accelerate the natural aging process. You should also know that sun exposure is the primary cause of skin damage and wrinkling.
• Smoking – This reduces the blood supply to the skin and damages the collagen, which speeds up the aging process.
• Dehydration – When the skin is dehydrated, the skin is more likely to wrinkle. It can also make existing wrinkles more pronounced. Excessive alcohol consumption can dehydrate the skin.
• Too much stress – Cortisol or stress hormones accelerates aging by breaking down collagen and elastin. Constant stress can also cause you  to frown or make repetitive expressions that can cause wrinkles.
• Poor nutrition – Eating lots of fatty, salty, and processed foods won’t do your skin a favor. A poor diet may also compromise the health, quality, and strength of your skin.

Smiling and wrinkles

Repetitive facial expressions like smiling can contribute to wrinkles, but the truth is, smiling alone won’t give you prominent folds and lines. It is best to keep in mind that a combination of things like aging, fat distribution, collagen content, and skin elasticity play a part in the formation of wrinkles.

Smiles are also said to cause crow’s feet or lines in the corner of the eyes. While the said expression is partly responsible, loss of skin elasticity is the major culprit. As aging decreases the elasticity of your skin, normal facial expression can lead to a more prominent appearance of wrinkles around the eyes.

Don’t blame your smiles

Smiling has a lot of benefits, so it is never advisable to stop smiling just to avoid wrinkles. A much better approach is to avoid or limit UV exposure, which is the main cause of premature aging and wrinkles. Bear in mind that prolonged and unprotected sun exposure breaks down the connective tissues, leaving the skin less elastic. 

Some of the things that can help delay or fight wrinkles include:

• Don’t smoke or quit smoking.
• Always wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher.
• Don’t forget to moisturize.
• Eat a balanced diet.
• Use retinol-based creams.

Consider or try Botox

Botulinum toxin or Botox is a popular anti-wrinkle treatment that can improve the appearance of fine line and wrinkles. This injectable is FDA-approved for treating frown lines between the brows and horizontal forehead wrinkles. It can also address wrinkles in the corner of the eyes (crow’s feet) and smile lines.

Botox works by temporarily blocking the signal from nerve to muscles. This relaxes and softens the wrinkles, making it ideal for treating lines formed due to repeated muscle contractions. It can take two weeks to see the full effects of Botox, with results lasting three to six months or longer with repeated injections. 

Cutis Laser Clinics in Singapore offers Botox and other non-invasive skin tightening and lifting treatments. Contact our clinics today and schedule a consultation with our aesthetic doctors to find out if you’re a candidate for Botox in Singapore and other aesthetic treatments.