Studying our faces in front of the mirror, we sometimes find unwanted surprises, such as new lines and wrinkles. One of the most common types of lines and wrinkles are so-called smile lines, also called laugh lines.
Smile lines and laugh lines are not necessarily linked to aging (more on that below). But, when they are, they can be an unpleasant daily reminder of the fact.
Thankfully, there are ways to get rid of smile lines for good! Relax, and keep reading.
What Are Smile Lines?
Smile lines and laugh lines are popular non-scientific terms for nasolabial folds. These lines are the vertical lines that go from the nose's sides towards the mouth and curve around it. They are distinctly more noticeable when you smile. In severe cases, they are visible even when you are not smiling.
Smile lines are often a natural part of aging. But, just because they're natural, doesn't mean you have to live with them. If you want to get rid of them, you have options. Understanding where smile lines come from will help you decide how to address them.
What Causes Smile Lines?
Smile lines or laugh lines are usually caused by repeated facial movements. The most common of these movements are smiling and laughing. Other repeated facial actions, such as frowning, smoking or drinking with a straw, can also cause smile lines. These types of smile lines or laugh lines are called dynamic smile lines.
Static smile lines or laugh lines, on the other hand, occur due to the loss of collagen and skin elasticity that comes naturally with age.
Sometimes, however, young people also have them. These nasolabial lines can also occur due to sun damage, drastic changes in weight, or even dental problems.
The differences in the cause of smile lines will determine the course of action. To determine the cause, talk with your aesthetician or plastic surgeon.
How Can I Prevent Smile Lines?
If you have only recently noticed your smile lines—or, if you don't have them yet but want to be prepared—there's a lot you can do to prevent or delay them.
As always, healthy lifestyle habits in your twenties and early thirties go a long way. Make sure you drink lots of water, so that your skin stays hydrated. Exercise is also important. Quitting smoking may be one of the best things you can do, as smoking directly affects the area around the mouth and increases the occurrence of lines.
A good skin care regimen can be a powerful ally. Use the best moisturizer for your skin type, and use it daily. Don't skip sunscreen, as it will prevent damage to the skin caused by the sun.
How Can I Erase Smile Lines?
There are several options for removing smile lines. These are not DIY treatments. We’ll list them here so that you know what is available and can have a better conversation with your aesthetician or plastic surgeon.
Dermal Fillers
Dermal fillers are the top choice when it comes to getting rid of smile lines – that is, if you're looking at a non-surgical solution.
Most fillers contain hyaluronic acid and can be injected into the wrinkles directly. Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring substance in our bodies that draws water, fills in the folds from the inside and makes the skin appear smoother.
The advantage is that the results appear natural. The downside is that fillers are not permanent. The body breaks down the hyaluronic acid after a few months, and then you need to have another injection.
There are also fillers available that are made of other substances. These fillers behave differently and can offer results that last longer. However, like hyaluronic acid injections, their results are not permanent.
When it comes to filler, as with other injectables, it is important to find a certified professional with ample experience.
Finding the right professional will ensure a smooth procedure, quality results, and minimize the chance of side effects. Always opt for a professional who understands the nuances of facial anatomy—a lot is going on in the small area that is our face!
Botox
Botox is another option when it comes to wrinkles in general. Smile lines are not usually treated with Botox. However, Botox can help in another area that develops wrinkles caused by laughing - the area around the eyes.
When we laugh and smile, our eyes move, eventually resulting in lines on the surrounding skin.
Lines around the eyes are easily erased with Botox, a pure and diluted toxin that appears in nature. Botox works by paralyzing the muscles underneath the skin. Once paralyzed, the muscles cannot move, and the skin that covers them is flattened out. This leads to a more youthful look.
Like fillers, Botox is not a permanent solution. Results will last approximately 4-5 months.
Surgery
A facelift is a permanent solution for smile lines. The procedure can address both nasolabial folds and lines around the eyes in one procedure. However, it takes about three months to heal from a facelift. It is also the most expensive option.
Facelifts are performed across the country, and patients often report positive results. If this sparks your interest, start a conversation with your surgeon.
Laser Treatments
Laser treatments remove the top layer of skin cells, revealing the lower layer of skin. This skin resurfacing technique decreases skin spots and fine lines.
Recovery time is one to three weeks. Patients usually undergo another treatment after several months.
Collagen Induction Therapy
The goal of collagen induction therapy (also called microneedling) is to increase the skin's natural collagen production. Collagen makes skin elastic and supple. As we age, we produce less of it.
Collagen induction therapy makes tiny ruptures in the skin, which leads to increased production of collagen. This fills small lines. Patients usually need several treatments (three to six, on average), and the results come gradually. If you undergo collagen induction therapy, expect full results within nine months.
Skincare
Don't feel like being poked and prodded? Over-the-counter creams offer affordable (and pain-free!) options.
Retinol is the ingredient-of-choice in skincare products that reduce smile lines and laugh lines, so look for it in creams and lotions. It is also one of the most well studied ingredients.
Be persistent, as it may take several months of use to notice results. That sounds like a lot, but it takes a long time for retinol to show results, so don't quit too early.
Make sure to always use SPF in the morning, and don't mix retinol with other potent active ingredients.
Other ingredients that can help in treating wrinkles are vitamin C, hydroxy acids, and peptides.
Talk to your dermatologist or aesthetician to find the perfect skincare regimen. Browse our online shop, too. SkinMedica TNS Essential Serum, for example, works at the cellular level to enhance collagen production – just what you need.
Do Facial Exercise
There are many muscles on our face, and they rarely get a work out. Tone your face by doing some light exercises.
To target muscles around the mouth:
- Hook the corners of the mouth with your index fingers.
- Pull out lightly from the resting position.
- Apply resistance with the fingers and tighten the corners of the mouth towards each other with your muscles
- Hold for 5-10 seconds
- Relax, and then repeat 10-25 times.
To target cheek muscles:
- Apply light pressure to the laugh lines around the mouth with your fingers.
- Smile as wide as possible with the lips separated.
- Hold it for about 5-10 seconds.
- Relax the smile and then repeat for 15-30 reps.
To target muscles around the eyes:
- Put your thumbs by the outer corners of the eyes.
- Place the fingers on top of your head.
- Close the eyes and squeeze tight.
- While squeezing, pull the outer corners of the eyes away from each other and slightly up.
- Stay that way for about 5-10 seconds.
- Relax, then repeat for about 10-25 reps.
Takeaway
Smile lines await even the best looking of us. There's nothing unnatural about smile lines, but we can minimize the process of aging by getting rid of them.
Talk to your aesthetician and/or surgeon about your options. The right treatment for you depends on your goals and level of commitment. Find a skin routine that’s perfect for you. In addition, try to quit smoking, eat a balanced diet, keep your skin hydrated, and take care of your overall health.
