What Can You Do to Avoid Expression Wrinkles?
Expression wrinkles are primarily linked to facial expressions—as the name implies. They tend to appear whenever someone expresses emotions such as happiness, sadness, fear, and surprise. Each time we use our facial muscles while talking, chewing or making facial expressions, the skin attached to the muscles and is pulled and often squeezed into folds. For example, if you repeatedly squint or frown, you may see crow’s feet start to form around the corners of your eyes. Forehead lines may develop on the uppermost part of your face if you habitually raise your eyebrows.
Expression wrinkles can occur at all ages (but are more pronounced with age) and are most visible when our face is animated.
Static wrinkles, on the other hand, are permanently etched into the skin as a result of volume loss and other effects of aging and can be seen on the face even when it’s at rest. Wrinkles that start off as dynamic can sometimes eventually become static.
Static wrinkles are caused by stressors that are unrelated to muscle contractions, such as collagen deficiency due to aging or damage to the proteins in the skin because of exposure to sunlight, smoking, gravity, pollution, or other forms of stress.
Expression wrinkles are usually the first facial lines people see, but that doesn’t mean you should avoid moving your eyebrows, smiling, or frowning altogether. Don’t hold back expressing joy or other emotions—especially since there are other contributing factors and actions you can work to reduce instead.
Cut Down on Drinking from Straws and Bottles
If you want to maintain smooth skin, try rethinking your daily habits. When you drink excessively from a bottle or straw, the ring-like muscle that surrounds the lips—known as the orbicularis oris muscle—contracts. The mouth is one of the most mobile areas of the face and is used for both speaking and eating, so it’s already more likely for lines and wrinkles to form in this area. Try to drink from the side of a cup when possible to get rid of one more action contributing to the creating of facial lines.
Avoid Squinting Too Much
As mentioned before, any facial movement can cause wrinkles. Reducing the muscle activity that causes these wrinkles can help. Wear sunglasses when you go out, get your eyes checked regularly, and avoid reading from your phone first thing in the morning. Exposure to sunlight causes involuntarily contractions of the muscles around your eyes. Squinting and wriggling your forehead when you’re exposed to bright sunlight makes it more likely for you to develop glabellar lines (vertical lines between the eyebrows) or lines on the outside corners of the eyes called crow’s feet.
Be Aware of Your Facial Posture
While you wouldn’t want to maintain a constant poker face for many reasons, you can do your best to avoid exaggerated facial expressions. For example, some people scowl or squint when working out. Save your most dramatic looks for when they’re needed!
Find Better Stress-Coping Tools
Chronic stress is a prolonged state of stress that can have a negative impact on your quality of life. It affects your mental as well as your physical wellbeing. Chronic stress not only causes harmful changes to the proteins that support the skin and can lead to a loss of elasticity, but can also make you repeatedly furrow your brow, where wrinkles are more likely to become etched in. Self-help approaches can be used to help you manage stress better. Some of the most effective techniques include meditation, guided imagery, progressive muscle relaxation, deep breathing, going for a walk, exercise, and social support.
For more information expression wrinkles, general facial lines, and other signs of aging, contact New Jersey’s The Peer Group. Call 973-822-3000 or fill out a contact form to request a consultation.
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