Laugh lines

General

According to a Belgian study by the University of Louvain, test subjects found smiling people with small wrinkles around their eyes and mouth (the so-called laugh lines) to be significantly more attractive, happier and more intelligent than wrinkle-free smiles. These were often felt to be artificial and inauthentic.

Researchers saw the reason for this result in the fact that laugh lines arise as a result of the tensing of muscles that only become active when a real smile is displayed. If these wrinkles are missing and the muscles are not tense while laughing, the smile often appears drawn out and fake. People without laugh lines are often perceived as masked and uncomfortable.

Unfortunately, today's trend is against the small wrinkles around the eyes and mouth. The ideal of a wrinkle-free, flawless face is increasingly emerging. For this reason, cosmetic treatments such as "Botox injections" or plastic face operations are enjoying increasing popularity.

definition

As Laugh lines, or as "Crow's feet" are called small wrinkles on the outer edge of the eyelid or on the lips. These wrinkles appear at a young age and are through lots of laughter or smiles conditionally. But also other movements, in which the appropriate facial muscles are used, such as the Squinting of eyes when looking at the sun, smile lines cause.

With increasing age The smile lines deepen and stay permanently visiblewhat many women consider feel annoying and unattractive. In young women where the tissue is still tight and malleable, smile lines disappear instantly. In older women, however, where that connective tissue increasingly loses elasticity, the wrinkles will eventually persist and deepen then with each further laugh.

causes

As already described above, laugh lines develop especially frequent laughter and smiles.

However, the main cause of laugh lines is how with all other wrinkles also the dwindling content of hyaluronic acid in our connective tissue. From a biochemical point of view, hyaluronic acid is one long chain of sugar moleculeswho owns the property To bind huge amounts of water. It is one of our skin huge moisture reservoir However, like everything else in our body, this is subject to one progressive aging process.
Except for their water-storing effect stabilizes hyaluronic acid additionally also collagen and elastic fiberswhich above all ensure the stability and elasticity of our fabric. Furthermore, hyaluronic acid also protects our skin cells from the Influence of free radicals. These arise among others at one too high exposure to UV light and can in large quantities our skin ages prematurely to let.

From the age of 30 however, both the hyaluronic acid content and the number of collagenous and elastic fibers decrease. The result is that wrinkles, e.g. form when laughing, due to the lack of elasticity of the tissue can no longer withdraw and thereby become permanent. You are too often annoying, permanent wrinkles become.

Next to the Lack of hyaluronic acid however are also other factors involved in wrinkling. So play for example genetic factors, Smoke, one excessive exposure to UV light, one unhealthy diet and stress an important role in wrinkling.

Laugh lines around the mouth

Various wrinkles can appear around the mouth. Frequent wrinkles can be found in the form of small creases above and below the lips. Just like the classic crow's feet at the corners of the eyes, they can also appear at a younger age and often bother those affected, as they make you look older. Furthermore, the so-called corner folds or nasolabial folds can also appear more often as laugh lines. These wrinkles are naturally in everyone - some less, others more pronounced and can deepen in the course of life. The formation of laugh lines around the mouth is to be regarded as something natural and is due to the high mechanical stress on this area of ​​the face.
The individual characteristics of the connective tissue is a decisive factor in the fact that some wrinkles appear more and others less. Slight laugh lines around the mouth can usually be concealed well with makeup and products containing hyaluron, such as creams and primers (see above). In the end, however, deeper wrinkles can only be effectively removed or effectively concealed by filling or tightening measures such as injections, laser treatments or lifting.
An effective and nowadays very popular measure is the injection of hyaluron into the smile lines around the mouth. This method has few side effects and cushions the laugh lines very well and naturally. The procedure takes less than 5 minutes and is not particularly painful. The frequent fear of having a “mask-like” appearance afterwards, as can be the case with botox treatments that are too high, does not exist with hyaluronic acid injections. Only in the case of very pronounced nasolabial folds, injections can sometimes not achieve a sufficient effect, so that firming, surgical liftings may be necessary for a satisfactory effect.

Laugh lines around the eyes

Small laugh lines or crow's feet around the eyes are also known as periorbital wrinkles. They are caused by squinting and are present in most people. Often they are perceived as very personable, as they are associated with cordial and warm character traits. However, some people are bothered by their laugh lines around their eyes, especially if they appear at a younger age. The easiest way to hide small laugh lines around the eyes is to use a filling hyaluronic acid cream or a smoothing primer. This product should be applied in a tapping motion before applying makeup or concealer. A light concealer also hides the wrinkles.

Laugh lines on the cheeks

Cheek lines do not actually belong to the smile lines. They are much more likely to result from exposure to the sun, harmful influences such as alcohol and nicotine consumption, or rapid weight loss. Pronounced cheek wrinkles can often only partially be concealed with creams or makeup. In most cases, only filling injections help to effectively hide the wrinkles.

What to do about laugh lines

Hyaluronic acid

Although laugh lines as Signs of the personality of every person should be rated and not as something negative, in spite of everything there are numerous ways to remove the small, annoying wrinkles. One of the most important options is certainly that artificial hyaluronic acidwhich can now be produced in the laboratory and which is very similar to the body's own hyaluronic acid.
This hyaluronic acid works due to their moisture-binding and moisturizing propertythat the skin appears plump, radiant and youthful. It can be used as an alternative to Injection also in Capsules, Anti aging creams or as gel (e.g. Eye gel) be used. However, since the skin can only absorb a small part of the hyaluronic acid, the Effect less and shorter compared to the syringes effective.

At the Injection of wrinkles becomes hyaluronic acid directly by means of a microsyringe injected into the deep layers of skin under the laugh line. By filling up the local, own hyaluronic acid depot new fluid under the wrinkle mobilized. This ultimately leads to Raising the smile line and lets them optically disappear. This effect is immediately visible and holds after 2-3 sessions up to 6 months on. Another injection would then be necessary.

Because of his quick effect and the minor side effectsthat are in bruises or slight swelling can manifest is that kind of Fight against wrinkles Popular.

Lately, many women are also resorting to one Combination of botox and hyaluronic acidto remove especially deep smile lines. Blocked here Botox (also known as botulinum toxin) the activity of muscles, which causes the face to relax Prevents generation of new wrinkles. Then hyaluronic acid is injected, which the Fills wrinkles in depth. Combining both together leads to an even better and even better one longer lasting effect.

With hyaluronic acid, however, you can not only fights wrinkles become. Nowadays it also becomes Spraying of Lips, nose, buttocks or the Breasts used; in some cases even to Modeling of nipples.

Read more about the Wrinkle treatment with hyaluronic acid.

Botulinum toxin used to treat laugh lines

A Alternative or combination option about hyaluronic acid is what has already been mentioned above Botulinum toxin, briefly too Botox called.

Botox is originally one Neurotoxinwhich nowadays is versatile in the cosmetic medicine is used. Its main areas of application include above all the Fight against wrinkles, as well as that Preventing excessive sweating. As a neurotoxin, Botox prevents them Transmission of excitation between nerve cells and muscles. This in turn causes the muscle to lose its signal to contract (called contraction). Consequence is a smooth, relaxed skin.

Similar to one Hyaluronic acid injection the medicine is also used during botox treatment using a very small and fine needle injected into the nerve ending of the desired muscle. This application is particularly important from an accomplished and well-trained doctor to be carried out, as otherwise unloved complications such as Asymmetries, a drooping upper eyelid or one drooping eyebrow possible are. With correct handling, the Botox can not only fight wrinkles but also the Effect of large, awake eyes be generated.By injecting the botox into the muscle, the eyebrow is pulled up slightly due to the muscle failure.

A Application with botox holds an average of 3-6 months, however, is always from the applied dose and the Treatment area dependent. That means: The more nerve endings are treated with botulinum toxin, the longer the nerve end needs to regenerate and the longer the desired wrinkle-free effect. However, should be on too high doses be avoided from Botox, as this is the well-known "Mask face" without facial impulses would produce what significant aesthetic disadvantages pulls with it.

Possible Complications with a botox treatment - if used incorrectly - drooping eyelids or eyebrows, impaired eyelid closure, swelling, redness or bruises. Since with a botox treatment the Facial muscles only deactivated must be, must with one Onset of action from 48-72h be expected. However, the maximum success of the treatment is evident after 10 days at the latest.

You can find out more about treating smile lines with here Botox.

Facelift

A operational possibility Removing annoying laugh lines in the long term would be the so-called Face lifting. The important thing here is Scarring to consider which very discreet, but will be present in spite of everything. Because of this, this type of wrinkle removal is more likely Older women to recommend.

With face-lifting there is many different techniques, at them excess skin removed and the one below Connective tissue layer is raised. The effect is always on rejuvenated, firmer and non-mask-like appearance. For smile lines are i.a. the classic, Double-layer total facelift, an upper face lift that involves tightening the forehead, eyebrows, and temples, or that Temple lifting, which mainly involves tightening around the temples and eyebrows. At Laugh lines around the mouth around is also suitable lower facelift.

That I very deep smile lines Not always being removed by an operation alone becomes one here too Combination therapy of surgery and hyaluronic acid or botox devices. With the most modern operating and Anesthetic methods Complications have become rare, but like any other operation, there are also facelifts numerous complications how Circulatory disorders, Bleeding, Wound healing disorders or also nerve injuries, which mainly in the face serious consequences would have. In a medical consultation every single possible complication is discussed in detail.

Home remedies for laugh lines

Those who do not like their laugh lines or who find them to be particularly pronounced often ask themselves whether there are effective and simple home remedies for these wrinkles. In the following section, a few common and simple home remedies for laugh lines are presented:
1. Steam bath with sage and chamomile: A few ingredients are sufficient for this steam bath. A large saucepan of water should be heated until the water steams. Add fresh chamomile and sage to the steaming water and hold your face over it for about 10 to 20 minutes. This nourishing steam bath makes the skin appear rosier and helps to hide small laugh lines. The steam bath can be repeated several times a week at will.
2. Avocado and olive oil mask: Half an avocado is pureed and mixed with a tablespoon of olive oil. This thick mask is now applied to the entire face and should take effect for about 20 minutes. The mask can be applied several times a week.
3. Almond oil and lemon mask: Mix a teaspoon of almond oil with the juice of a lemon, a little milk and an egg white. This mixture is applied to the skin and should act for about 20 minutes. Then rinse with a little clean water.
4. Ginger oil for the laugh lines: Every evening before going to bed some ginger oil (see also: Massage ginger) into the smile lines with tapping movements. Cleanse the face in the morning as usual.

The cost of a treatment against smile lines

The costs of concealing or treating laugh lines vary greatly, depending on the method and the severity of the wrinkles. Probably the cheapest method is to apply masking makeup. Depending on the brand, the prices for a filling concealer vary between 5 and 35 euros. Products that are supposed to care for and fill up the smile lines, such as creams, primers and “boosters” with hyaluron, can also vary between drugstore prices (5 euros) and high-end cosmetics prices (up to 100 euros).
Invasive treatments such as botox and hyaluronic acid injections are expensive and have to be repeated at certain intervals. A common, average price for a wrinkle injection with hyaluronic acid is 300 euros. The treatment usually has to be carried out twice a year. Botox injections vary between 150 and 300 euros, depending on the complexity of the injection. This treatment, too, usually has to be repeated within a year. Laser treatments are also possible to smooth out laugh lines. The prices for this fluctuate very strongly, depending on the method, the extent of the wrinkles and the provider. As a rough guide, you can see a price in the lower four-digit range.

prophylaxis

You cannot completely prevent the formation of laugh lines, but you can prevent the time of their appearance. However, with a healthy lifestyle of enough sleep, a healthy diet, plenty of exercise, and proper UV protection while sunbathing, you can delay the appearance of wrinkles for a few years.
Eating fruits and vegetables can help scavenge free radicals before they damage your skin, and drinking enough water will help keep the skin at optimal moisture and elasticity. Not using cigarettes also counteracts the premature formation of wrinkles and ensures smooth, young skin.

Read more on the subject at: Prevent wrinkles

What is the best way to hide laugh lines?

Often there are threads and questions in forums on the subject of "How can you best hide laugh lines?" Both men and women seem to be very interested in the subject these days, although for a long time laugh lines were even considered something very positive. The negatively voiced “crow's feet” do not fit into the ideal of beauty for many people and therefore there is a need to cover them up. Probably the easiest and cheapest way to hide laugh lines is to apply makeup skillfully. For the skin of the face, make-up that matches the skin tone is recommended, which can be applied with a brush or a slightly dampened sponge. There are a few tips and tricks to hide the wrinkles. So-called “filler” or “booster” products, which mostly contain hyaluronic acid, can provide a “filling” effect for a short time. The wrinkles then no longer appear so deep.
Appropriate “primers” that smooth the skin can also be applied as a basis for the next make-up steps. These products should be applied thinly, preferably with the index finger, to the wrinkles using tapping movements. Before “concealer” can be applied in the next step, the “filler” must be soaked in for 10 minutes. Lightening concealers can now be applied to visually hide wrinkles. In the case of very dark wrinkles, it is advisable to apply an orange-pigmented corrector before the actual concealer, as this neutralizes the dark shadows. Finally, the makeup must be set with a powder so that it does not sink into the wrinkles. It is best to use a colorless powder that you apply with a powder brush.
In order to find the right products for your own skin type, you should seek advice from a drugstore or perfumery. Ultimately, makeup is the only way to hide smile lines yourself. A variety of treatments are offered in dermatological practices or specialized cosmetic studios to remove or reduce the unpopular laugh lines. Some of these methods involve invasive measures, such as injections with hyaluronic acid or botox. Other methods such as laser treatments, special peelings or massages are not invasive, but cannot be carried out yourself either, but are carried out by an appropriate dermatologist or sometimes by a beautician.