Laugh and Frown Lines
When talking about lines and wrinkles, a lot of emphasis is rightly placed on the effect of external factors such as smoking and exposure to the sun. Often overlooked in this discussion are the fine lines caused by repeated expressions - namely, smiling and frowning - that begin to show up naturally after 35 years or so of ups, downs, and all the facial reactions that go along with them.
While the prominence of these superficial wrinkles, which tend to form on either side of the mouth and between the eyebrows, can be affected by genetics, there are a few things you can do to minimize their appearance:
- Glycolic Moisturizers - A cream or lotion that contains glycolic acid, a compound found non-synthetically in fruits and other plants, can help actively reduce lines that aren't too deep. These chemicals work by helping your skin to shed older worn cells and expose the fresher, healthier layers underneath.
- Sunscreens - After the glycolic moisturizer has been given time to sink in and start acting on your skin, begin to regularly apply sunscreen of an SPF of 15 or greater. Protecting your face from the sun's ultraviolet rays will keep the elastic fibers that bring the skin back into place after a facial expression is made intact.
- Wearing sunglasses or a hat outside is also a good idea, as it reduces the likelihood of lines that form on either side of the eye from excessive squinting (known as "crow’s feet"). This idea also extends to making sure any eye prescriptions are up to date, so you aren’t left squinting for hours at the blackboard or your office computer screen.
Contact Us
For more information on treatments that can help reduce the appearance of fine facial expression lines, call the Houston line and wrinkle experts of Dermegenix Medical Spa at 713-662-3376.