Your Cart is Empty
Laugh lines are an umbrella term for the wrinkles that form around your mouth. These fine lines show up naturally over time, as an inevitable part of the aging process.
They are caused by the repetition of facial movements, like laughing, smiling, frowning, and other facial expressions. These lines become more conspicuous with age, but there are certain lifestyle habits that can make them better or worse.
We’re breaking down everything you need to know about reducing the wrinkles around your mouth. This is your guide to getting rid of laugh lines.
The wrinkles around your mouth can be dynamic (seen with movement) or static still seen when your face doesn’t move). Static wrinkles are more difficult to treat over time, where dynamic wrinkles are more common since we use the muscles around our eyes and lips all the time when smiling, blinking, etc.
Below are the most common types of wrinkles to appear around the mouth.
Wrinkles occur due to the natural loss of volume that occurs in your face as you age and with repetitive movements. Between the ages of 30 and 40, the wrinkles around your mouth become more prominent.
Over time, you lose collagen and elastin in your skin. The delicate skin around the mouth area already has less collagen and elastin than other areas of the face. This makes it one of the first places you’ll start to notice wrinkles.
But why do wrinkles form where they do? It really comes down to your facial shape. Your cheek has seven fat pads that shift and move with time. Your laugh lines become more prominent due to the way these pads move. There are also external forces at play that affect aging, such as the environment.
Aside from genetics and aging, a number of lifestyle factors can contribute to laugh lines. These include:
Try these tips to reduce mild to moderate wrinkles around your mouth.
Free radicals break down the collagen and elastin in your skin. Antioxidant-rich foods neutralize these free radicals. Some antioxidant-rich foods include:
Drastic weight changes can contribute to the formation of wrinkles. Maintaining your weight eliminates the potential for fine lines to form.
The best way to prevent wrinkles from forming around your mouth is to wear sunscreen. Be sure to apply sunscreen before you leave the house in the morning and every two hours after.
When it comes to fighting wrinkles, these ingredients are a must:
Facial exercises help to tighten the muscles in your face, reducing the wrinkles around your mouth. Try the following exercise twice a day:
For deeper wrinkles, a dermatologist may recommend one of the following in-office treatments:
Chemical Peel: One of the most commonly used anti-aging treatments for treating wrinkles around the mouth is the chemical peel. A chemical peel works by removing the top layer of your skin to reveal smoother, more radiant skin underneath. These are typically done on a consistent basis to help maintain results.
Dermabrasion and Microdermabrasion: Both dermabrasion and microdermabrasion are exfoliating treatments. Dermabrasion is the stronger of the two. It’s a mechanical sanding of the skin with a specialized tool. It’s often done at the same time as surgical procedures (like a face-lift), to take advantage of the anesthesia and long recovery. Microdermabrasion uses fine crystals to remove the upper layer of skin.
Microneedling: Microneedling, also known as collagen induction therapy, is a procedure that uses small needles to prick your skin. These needles come from a device called a derma roller, or microneedling pen. Microneedling helps to stimulate collagen production in the skin cells. Microneedling has little downtime, but you’ll need to undergo multiple sessions over the course of several months to see results.
Platelet-Rich Plasma: Sometimes platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is combined with microdermabrasion, or microneedling, in a procedure known as the vampire facial. The PRP is derived from your own blood platelets processed in a centrifuge before being injected back into your skin. PRP can help create plumper-looking skin to reduce wrinkles, but the results are temporary.
Dermal Fillers: For deeper smile and marionette lines, a dermatologist might recommend injectable dermal fillers. These fillers, Juvaderm being the most recognizable, are made with ingredients like hyaluronic acid and to plump the targeted area of skin. Dermal fillers wear off after several months.
Botox: Also administered through injections, Botox works by relaxing the facial muscles. While this treatment is best known for forehead wrinkles, it also benefits wrinkles around the mouth. It also improves the appearance of marionette lines.
Laser Skin Resurfacing: A more aggressive treatment for wrinkles and laugh lines is laser skin resurfacing. This is a more invasive treatment for wrinkles. Laser skin resurfacing uses high beams of light to remove the outer layer of skin. Like other skin peeling treatments, it must be repeated for a few months to see results. The skin afterward can be red, crusted, and raw for up to two weeks.
Not only will these healthy habits help you get rid of laugh lines, but they’re equally beneficial to your overall health:
However annoying those fine lines and wrinkles can be, don’t stop smiling. Studies show that smiling can help you feel happier and less stressed. So keep laughing because we’ve got you covered when it comes to minimizing laugh lines and reducing the wrinkles around your mouth.
