15 Ways To Fix Your Smile Lines For A Youthful Face

Have you ever thought that mesmerizing smile of yours would be associated with an unwanted ageing sign? Though very few people talk about smile lines, these are a major obstacle between you and a wrinkle-free face.

If you want to fix your smile lines and retain your youthful look a bit longer, here are some treatments and home remedies that can fulfil your desire.

Highlights:

• What Exactly Are Smile Lines?
• What Causes Smile Lines?
• 15 Ways To Fix Smile Lines
• How To Prevent Smile Lines?

What Exactly Are Smile Lines?

Smile lines or laugh lines are the wrinkles that occur when you smile. It develops around your mouth and makes you look aged.

What Age Do They Appear At?

Smile line can appear in your early 20s. As you grow old, these lines and wrinkles deepen and increase in number. Even though smile lines and other types of wrinkles are bound to happen when you age, many people get these at a very young age due to various reasons.

Are Smile Lines Attractive?

Smile lines are beautiful if they occur due to natural ageing. But wrinkly lines on your face at an early age can affect your self-esteem and make you feel emotionally low. It is better to treat premature smile lines.

What Causes Smile Lines?

• Lack of collagen in your skin
• Lack of hydration
• Genetical inheritance
• Alcohol
• Smoking
• Extreme sun exposure
• Harsh chemical-based product usage

15 Ways To Fix Smile Lines

While laugh lines appearing after a certain age are inevitable, those that have occurred sooner will disappear if you follow the remedies and treatments mentioned. Read through the professional treatments, exercises, home remedies and other options listed below.

Professional Treatments

1. Injectable fillers

For an instant result, you may want to go for injectable fillers which are usually made of hyaluronic acid. [1] The filler is injected into your facial tissues where the crease occurs. The filler would go from your mouth to nose, to give a smoother look. The effect of injectable fillers lasts for several months, but if you are not satisfied with the result, you can get rid of it anytime.

Though this procedure is not permanent, repeated usage of such fillers may leave a slightly longer-lasting effect on your facial tissues. Many brands use poly-L-lactic acid and calcium hydroxyapatite to make these fillers. According to one report, these fillers can last from 6 to 12 months. [2] Injectable fillers may cause mild allergic reactions and headache as side effects.

2. Botox

Botulinum toxins [3] or botox are also injectable fillers, but work differently. Botox weakens the muscles of the concerned skin and relaxes lines and wrinkles. Your smile lines become less visible and you look youthful again. This procedure may take a few days to show results.

After your dermatologist has performed the entire procedure, you may get redness and irritation on the injected area. You will need a maximum of 24 hours to get back to your daily routine. The effect of the botox will last for almost three months.

3. Surgery

Surgery is the last option you may want. Both expensive and time-consuming, surgery can definitely give you a longer-lasting effect than any other professional treatment. To remove the smile lines from your face, your dermatologist would suggest a face lifting surgery.

Face lifting surgery will address and fix every wrinkle issue of your face. Facelift surgery requires a healing period of three months. It also has a major risk of infection along with common side effects like scarring, nerve damage and pain.

4. Laser Therapy

Laser treatment is done to remove the upper layer of your skin to resurface a new skin layer. It will remove the smile lines, wrinkles, dark spots from your skin in an effective way. Studies suggest that you would need 1-3 weeks to recover after the procedure. [4] But for a lasting result, you will need to undergo the procedure again within a few months. You may experience swelling and pain, as those are common side effects of laser therapy.

5. Collagen Induction Treatment

Collagen induction or micro-needling helps increase the collagen level in your skin to make it firm and wrinkle-free. Collagen loss is one of the biggest reasons for your skin to get smile lines. Therefore, your dermatologist would boost your collagen level by micro-needling to fill in your smile lines.

Collagen induction treatment takes a long time and repeated therapy to show the actual effect. Many need 3 to 6 sessions and 9 months to get the complete result. [5] After the completion of the procedure, you may notice some redness and irritation as side effects.

Yoga/Exercises For Smile Lines

6. Exercises To Fix Smile Lines

Exercise 1

• Step 1- Gently pull the corners of your mouth to the sides using your index fingers.
• Step 2- Try to stretch it around 1/4 inches. Hold the posture for a few seconds, then release.
• Step 3- Do the opposite stretching now. Pull the corners of your mouth towards each other.
• Step 4- Hold them for a few seconds and release. Repeat it for 25 times.

Exercise 2

• Step 1 - Smile widely with your lips open.
• Step 2- Press your smile lines with fingers while smiling.
• Step 3- Keep the position for five seconds.
• Step 4- Repeat it for 30 seconds.

Exercise 3

• Step 1- Close your eyes and place your thumbs on the corners of the eyes.
• Step 2- Slide your fingers towards the temples.
• Step 3- Keep the posture for 10 seconds
• Step 4- Repeat the same 10 times.

Home Remedies

7. Essential Oils

Essential oils are potent to treat smile lines and other premature ageing signs. Essential oils such as tea tree oil, rose tincture, rose aqueous, angelica, pomegranate, sandalwood oils are great to boost your collagen and maintain the elasticity of your skin. You can look for products that contain these essential oils or you can directly apply these essential oils on your skin.

8. Herbs

Herbs like basil, amla, ashwagandha, turmeric, guduchi are known for their anti-ageing properties. You can add some of them into your regular diet and also use it in your skincare regimen.

9. Oil Pulling

Oil pulling is a method where you put edible oil into your mouth and hold it for a certain period. You then spit it out. It is usually done for maintaining oral hygiene. But many people believe that oil pulling can reduce smile lines around the mouth.

10. Aloe Vera

Aloe vera has sterols that help to boost collagen production. Adding aloe vera supplements in your diet, or applying aloe vera gel on your smile lines will improve your skin condition.

11. Egg Whites

Egg whites are beneficial for skin tightening. You can apply egg white on your smile lines and let it dry for 30 minutes. Wash off with warm water and pat your skin dry. You will notice a significant improvement after a certain time.

12. Facial Massage

To reduce smile lines, you can also go for a face massage. It would stimulate the facial muscles and relax them. Massage would also improve the blood and oxygen flow to your face. It works as a natural facelift that helps you reduce smile lines and other ageing signs.

Over The Counter Products

13. Face Mask

Face masks are useful not only for smile lines but for any kind of wrinkles. Apply a mask and leave it for a certain time, as instructed on the product.

14. Strips

Strips or facial patches can be used for any type of wrinkles. Apply the patch on the concerned area and leave it overnight. In the morning, you would see fresh and lifted skin.

15. Cosmetics

Certain ingredients in cosmetics can effectively treat smile lines. When buying a cosmetic product, do check for the presence of some of the following ingredients. Do ensure that the products you use suit your skin type.

A. Retinol

Retinol creams are proven to be effective for smile lines. According to a double-blind study, 36 people were given 0.4% topical retinol thrice a day continuously for 24 weeks. [6] Their fine lines and wrinkles reduced significantly and their skin condition also improved.

B. Hydroxy Acids

Hydroxy acids are the most widely used anti-ageing agents. It helps to fight ageing signs like wrinkles, smile lines, age spots etc. [7] Hydroxy acids work both on your dermal layer and epidermal layer to treat the ageing signs.

C. Peptides

Peptides are amino acids that boost the collagen production of your skin. The collagen makes your skin firm and free of ageing signs. It would gradually reduce smile lines along with other ageing signs.

D. Vitamin C

Vitamin C is an extremely powerful antioxidant. [8] It neutralizes the free radicals in your skin and increases the collagen production which prevents signs of ageing. It maintains the elasticity of your skin and keeps it firm.

How To Prevent Smile Lines?

1. Quit smoking immediately as it breaks down the collagen

2. Protect yourself from sun damage. Wear shades and use sunscreen when you go out.

3. Do not sleep on the side for a long time. Try to sleep straight or at least change sides frequently.

4. Use skin care products that boost your collagen production.

5. Hydrate your skin as much as you can.

6. Moisturize your skin daily without fail.

7. Do not use chemical-based products.

8. Eat healthy food.

9. Make a proper exercise routine.

10. Avoid yo-yo dieting.

Wrapping Up

Smile lines are a natural part of the ageing process. Few people get it in their early 20’s and few experience it much later in life. As these lines grow more prominent with age, you can minimize them. You can choose any of the solutions offered in this article. If you think your problem is not treatable through general remedies, talk to your dermatologist to get the right professional treatment.

Begin By Knowing Your Skin