Get rid of laugh lines naturally
Dermatologists explain how one can take care of laughter lines, which appear due to repeated activity of the muscles when we smile or laugh
Laugh lines are the lines of expression seen on the face when we smile/ laugh. These are technically called the nasolabial folds – running from the corner of nose to the curve of your mouth. Speaking scientifically, these lines appear due to repeated activity of the muscles when we smile or laugh and are inevitable. They are a part of our aging process as there is shift in the fat pad compartments of the face as we age. Other causes of the laugh lines are genetics, sun exposure, aging, smoking. Also drastic weight loss and more of a yo-yo dieting causes the lines to appear rapidly.
Experts explain how one can take care of laughter lines appearing naturally and the exercises for them:
How can we take care of them?
Opt for a good skin care regime
Following a balanced diet
Drinking enough water to stay hydrated
Eliminate toxins like smoking and alcohol
Proper sleep can help reduce the incidence of these lines
Keep changing your posture during sleep, as by sleeping on the same side the laugh lines deepen and that side of the face flattens
Set a health regime such as a diet rich of antioxidants – fruits, green leafy vegetables, flax seeds, consuming good fats.
Your skin care routine must include moisturising on a daily basis, exfoliating the dead skin and use of a good sunscreen after every three hours. Retinol based anti aging creams and vitamin C based creams/ serums (recommended by dermatologist) can help reduce the fine lines caused by laughing.
If these lines are really bothering you, cosmetic procedures like botox to relax the muscles and hence the lines, and fillers containing hyaluronic acid can be done to restore the facial aesthetics.
Exercises to help eliminate laugh lines:
Facial yoga done everyday can help eliminate these lines
Breathe in air through your mouth and hold the air as a bubble inside the mouth. Now move the bubble from one cheek to other. This will help firm your heeks
Clench your teeth together and now smile. Stretch your muscles while you smile. Hold for 10 seconds and release.
Take your index fingers, hold the corners of your mouth and pull on the sides. At the same time, tighten the mouth and close it, hold for 5-10 seconds. This helps to tighten the orbicularis oris muscle. Repeat the exercise around 10-15 times.
One can also prevent the sagging of cheeks. For the same, pull your cheeks up firmly with your palms diagonally with fingers resting on the head. Due to the gravitational pull, the sag can be avoided.
(Inputs by Dr Pallavi Sule, Dermatologist and Aesthetic Physician)
