Can smiling more cause your face more wrinkles?

I was just looking into the mirror one morning and was trying to imagine how I’d look when I’m old. I figured the most obvious sign of aging would be showing of smile lines as they are in the central part of the face and is the most noticeable. Crow’s feet would be another most obvious sign but considering how most Asian ladies hardly get crow’s feet, I’d like to think that it’s not one of the main obvious signs of aging. After this fleeting thought, it then hit me that I laugh way too much at times and a sudden wave of paranoia came over me. Will I be able to prevent having smile lines as I get older, or is it an inevitable occurrence just waiting to happen as I smile my way into wrinkles?

What really causes smile lines?
Smiles lines are basically wrinkles that fall into the areas of the crinkle at the sides of the mouth when you laugh. Wrinkles are formed in the deeper layers of the skin, and usually happen when the body is stressed and/or when free radicals develop as part of the oxidation process. When this process isn’t met with enough counter action such as with using antioxidants, wrinkles form.

Is smiling one of the reasons for smile lines?
I’m glad to find out that smiling is not one of the reasons for smile lines. While smiling does set the place for wrinkles to settle in, smiling doesn’t actually fasten the pace of how we develop smile lines. In fact, smiling actually acts like a massage for the face that helps to deliver blood, antioxidant and endorphins to the skin’s surface. On the other hand, factors that cause smile lines, or just wrinkles in general, are the usual culprits like regular unprotected sun exposure, poor diet, habits such as drinking and smoking excessively.

How to keep them at bay?
The best way to prevent smile lines is to load up your body with foods that contain high antioxidants in them. If you keep a diet with a good variety of fruits and vegetables daily, it’s safe to say you’re pretty safe from developing premature smile lines even if you were to laugh every 5 minutes. If you’re not, it’s time to keep track of the antioxidant foods you are taking. Some foods with high antioxidants in them to take note to incorporate into your diet are, apples, blueberries, prunes, pecans, cherries, black beans, red kidney beans, small red beans, pinto beans, artichokes, cranberries and strawberries. Also cut down on habits such as excessive smoking and drinking; needless to say, these are bad for your health not just for your beauty! Always remember to use good sun protection, especially if you plan to be under the sun for long hours.

Stop smiling & laughing altogether?
Ladies will try almost anything to stay looking young and pretty for as long as we can. But nothing really beats being happy and letting your real beauty from inside shine. While we can prevent unnecessary premature aging in our skin, it is important that along the way we don’t deprive ourselves of pleasures all in the name of beauty’s sake. Well, now that you know smile lines are not really because of our smiles or laughter, go ahead and smile and laugh all you want. I know some people still don’t really condone making too much facial expressions for fear of mapping the places where wrinkles can sit in, and I have to admit I do get that insecurity whenever I make many facial expressions as well. But at the same time, I feel that one’s diet plays the largest role in how we look on the outside and how early or late our wrinkles will appear. So I will continue to smile while being even more careful with my diet to keep those wrinkles at bay for as long as I can!

Comments

  1. Lilian says:

    I think it will.but smile keep our moon and soul younger

  2. kay says:

    Smiling more doesn’t cause more wrinkles. It’s a matter of how hydrated your skin is. I used to have smile lines during my teens, after I started using hydrating moisturizer, the smile lines disappear almost overnight and hasn’t been appearing since.

    Smile more, it’s healthy to ourselves and to others.

  3. Cassie says:

    Definitely! When you feel good you naturally look radiant. ?

  4. Jen says:

    Koreans! Why they’re so darn gorgeous!?
    I bet you really like Kim Tae Hee.. Well,I feel the same ?
    Jen last post is: Tutti Frutti

  5. Cassie says:

    Drinking lots of water regularly is also a good way to ensure we’re hydrated enough! ?

  6. Cassie says:

    Haha! Do you like k-pop? I’m actually clueless about the korean pop culture and actresses, but i must say some of them are really pretty. ?

  7. Holly M. says:

    Definitely don’t stop laughing and smiling as I believe it’s the only guaranteed way to appear younger both inside and out. As has been mentioned it’s a matter of keeping hydrated and moisturised, through drinking water and skin care products. It’s also important to be careful in the sun (which is the main cause of wrinkles, so always wear sunscreen) and to avoid other antagonists.

  8. Sesame says:

    @Jen: I do like Kim Tae Hee and am the one who chose the pictures…she’s very pretty especially when she’s smiling.

  9. Cassie says:

    Well said! ?

  10. Swati says:

    yes, its happened with me. sometime back when I wasn’t eating regularly, I did see a lot of smile lines but they are again gone and anyways, I would rather have smile lines instead of looking sullen and morose!!! also, any facial expression can cause lines so its better to smile than frown or brood ?
    Swati last post is: Hair Spa for Dandruff {Hair Care}

  11. Chelsey says:

    Hi! Been reading your blog for quite some time but this is the first time
    i am leaving comment #k8SjZc9Dxk___#k8SjZc9Dxk I once hear my teacher said that having
    too much facial expression ( e.g. laughing!!!) will have wrinkle faster
    ? Boooo! I certainly hope not. Cause i seriously is those that laugh
    every 5 min de… Too much funny stuff in this wonderful world! x

  12. Sue says:

    woww! so interesting.. i was talking with my friend about this last time.. im glad we are not the only ones worrying about this! XD thanx!

  13. stella says:

    i use a vitamin e oil nightly after my regular skincare on my smile lines and they are much less pronounced. downside is that you have to use apply it regularly. alternatively, a really good serum/cream will help, but since i’ve combi/oily skin, i try to not put too much on my face

  14. Cassie says:

    That’s interesting.. Maybe there is a link between not eating well and having the skin appear more wrinkly. But it’s good that they are gone now! ?

  15. Cassie says:

    It’s good to be happy and smile most of the time. No one likes a grumpy person. ?

  16. Cassie says:

    I think most girls worry about this! Haha! ?

  17. Cassie says:

    Maybe you can try just applying it to the areas that need attention instead of the whole face? Will that help?

  18. Jenny Williams says:

    Thanks for sharing this wonderful information with us Cassie. I was really worried regarding this matter. It happened to me so many times that i was laughing and suddenly i remember that smiling too much can cause wrinkles to me. I have to control my laughter , but now after reading this post I can laugh as much as I can and that too without any worry.
    Jenny Williams last post is: Healthy Habits for Beautiful Skin

  19. rachel says:

    I dont think I can stop smillling so I ‘ll need some powerful antiaging cream to prevent or erase my “smile lines”…

  20. Sesame says:

    Yeah, don’t stop smiling. You look more beautiful when you smile too. ?

  21. rachel1301 says:

    smiling definitely makes you look more beautiful and natural.
    rachel1301 last post is: Keeping breasts youthful in a natural way

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