Smile Lines? Here's What You Can Do
If laugh lines are no laughing matter to you, there's good news. You can get rid of them with a few simple tips and tricks.
Smile lines are a natural part of the aging process, which can also often be caused by sun damage and lack of collagen. With a hydrating and nourishing skincare routine filled with a few high-performing skincare products, it is indeed possible to make the appearance of smile lines less obvious. It's also possible to prevent them altogether!
Here's everything you need to know about laugh lines. Because, honestly, there's nothing funny about them.
WHAT ARE SMILE LINES?
Smile lines, or laugh lines, are common terms for nasolabial folds. Essentially, they're vertical lines that extend from the sides of the nose and around the mouth.
While they're typically associated with aging, that's not always the culprit behind smile lines.
"If you look back in your high school yearbook, probably half the people have a nasolabial crease—so it is not necessarily a sign of aging," says plastic surgeon Dr. David Shafer. "People develop deeper creases with age, weight gain, and with recession of the dentition or dental problems; the teeth are no longer supporting the overlying tissue which makes the crease deeper."
There are two types of smile lines: dynamic wrinkles (those you see with movement) and static wrinkles (those you see when your face doesn't move). You want to prevent the static wrinkles because they're the ones that are most difficult to treat. Dynamic wrinkles are really common as we use the muscles around the mouth and eyes when smiling, blinking, and doing basically any facial expression.
Luckily, there are things you can do to keep smile lines at bay.
HOW TO TREAT AND PREVENT SMILE LINES
Choose Collagen-Boosting Skincare Ingredients
What you put on your face can make a huge impact on how your skin looks. Look for products containing ingredients like retinol and vitamin C, as these promote collagen production and improve skin elasticity to help slow down the formation of fine lines around the mouth.
We recommend Truly's Vegan Collagen Bundle, as all four products (cleanser, serum, face mask, and body wash) are formulated with retinol (vitamin A) and vitamin C for skin brightening, resurfacing, and anti-aging benefits.
If you have sensitive skin, you can choose a gentler alternative to retinol such as lactic acid that exfoliates the skin without causing redness or irritation.
We recommend Truly's Blueberry Kush CBD Face Oil, as it's formulated with soothing ingredients like lactic acid, CBD, and blueberries. It's also loaded with antioxidants to fight against free radicals responsible for the aging process.
Exfoliate Regularly
Daily gentle exfoliation can help smooth the skin for less visible lines. Opt for a chemical exfoliant or any topical product containing alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs). AHAs are natural exfoliants that slough away dead skin cells and spur collagen production and cell turnover. So look for a product that contains glycolic acid or lactic acid -- the most common AHAs.
Truly's CBD Jelly Toning Solution is formulated with glycolic acid, CBD, aloe vera, and tea tree oil to gently cleanse away dirt and dead skin, even out texture, fade discoloration, and calm irritation. Together, these ingredients will help boost cell renewal for an overall clear and smooth complexion.
Wear Sunscreen Daily
It won't treat laugh lines, but it will help prevent them.
"Of course SPF daily helps prevent aging and subsequent deepening of lines as well as loss of elasticity," says dermatologist Anna Guanche MD.
We know you hear it all the time, but it seriously is one of the best preventative measures you can take to ward off smile lines.
Moisturize Consistently
Regular and consistent use of an antioxidant-enriched moisturizer can help improve the quality of collagen in the skin. Consistently moisturizing the skin can help both prevent and fade laugh lines.
Look for a hydrating formula with ingredients like hyaluronic acid. You'll find this ingredient in many face creams and lotions as it's a well-known humectant that draws in moisture and seals it in for long-lasting hydration. And when skin is consistently hydrated, wrinkling becomes less common.
Truly's Cream Skin Face Cream contains a nourishing, skin-plumping blend of hyaluronic acid and sea kelp, which is ideal for aging skin. Besides providing deep hydration, this product can help prevent and blur out crow's feet and smile lines for fresh, new skin.
SHOULD YOU CONSIDER COSMETIC PROCEDURES?
While fillers and botox are the most effective cosmetic treatments for smile lines, you don't need to feel obliged to have them. After all, you can treat and prevent laugh lines through daily skincare. However, if smile lines are getting you down and nothing you try is working, you may want to speak to your dermatologist about in-office treatments.
Treatments include injectable dermal fillers, microneedling, and botulinum toxin (Botox). It's important to discuss the effectiveness and potential side effects of these plastic surgery treatments beforehand. You want to make sure you feel comfortable before making a final decision.
If you are going down the filler route, be sure to choose a reputable esthetician or dermatologist, and a well-known brand such as Juvederm or Restylane.
Other possible dermatology treatments include laser therapy and PDO threads. Once again, speak to your dermatologist before booking a treatment.
Smile lines are normal, natural, and extremely common. They're nothing to be ashamed about. In fact, you should be proud to have them etched on your face, because it shows you're one happy individual!
Best of all, you can treat and prevent smile lines with the right skincare products and consistency. You can also reduce the formation of wrinkles around the lips through a few small changes in your daily life. Adopt healthy habits like staying hydrated, getting plenty of sleep at night, and drinking alcohol in moderation. Are you a smoker? Put down that cigarette to stop smile lines from forming.
When it comes to tackling smile lines, it's all about healthy habits -- both internally and externally. With good habits comes great skin!
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