We all know wrinkles are a natural part of getting older. As we age, our skin loses elasticity and moisture which causes creases and lines to form on our face over time. However, there are certain daily habits that can actually speed up this wrinkling process and make you look older before your time. One of the biggest culprits? Squinting and frowning!
Why Does Squinting and Frowning Cause Wrinkles?
When you squint or frown, you are contracting and creasing the muscles around your eyes and between your eyebrows. This repeated folding and bunching up of the skin in these areas can lead to permanent grooves and furrows over time. [Source]
The technical term for these types of wrinkles is “dynamic wrinkles” since they are caused by the movements and expressions we make with our faces every day. The more you squint and frown, the deeper these dynamic wrinkles will become as you essentially etch them into your skin.
Expert Tips for Wrinkle Free Face
Put sun protection first. The sun’s dangerous ultraviolet (UV) rays are one of the main reasons why skin ages and wrinkles appear early. Every day, even on cloudy days, use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher to keep your skin safe. When you’re going to be outside for a long time, reapply sunscreen every two hours and wear protective clothes like sunglasses and hats with wide brims.
But I Squint and Frown Without Even Realizing It
This is a common problem because squinting and frowning are such natural reactions that many of us do them subconsciously throughout the day without ever meaning to. Maybe you’re squinting to read something on your phone or computer screen, or frowning while trying to concentrate on a difficult task.
Over hours and hours every day of making these expressions, you could be prematurely aging your face by constantly creasing the same areas. Sun exposure can also worsen squint lines around the eyes since we tend to squint more when it’s bright out.
So What’s the Solution?
The best way to prevent these types of wrinkles is to become more aware of your facial expressions and make an effort to keep your face relaxed as much as possible. If you need to focus or see something more clearly, try raising your eyebrows instead of squinting or frowning.
Wearing sunglasses can also help reduce squinting outdoors. And using moisturizers with ingredients like retinol or vitamin C may help minimize the appearance of any existing wrinkles. [Source]
But at the end of the day, some wrinkles are inevitable as we get older. The key is to be mindful of repetitive facial movements that can deepen wrinkles prematurely. So relax that face and save your future self from a few extra lines!