Written by: Natalie Ledbetter
Avoid Repetitive Facial Expressions.
Are you in the habit of making certain facial expressions? Do you tend to squint when you are in the sun or trying to read? Are you easily frustrated or a worrier? Do you furrow your brows when you are concentrating? Bam! Here come those dreaded 11’s, the lines that form between your eyebrows.
Do you lift one or both brows when you are surprised or disapprove of something? This can form lines across the forehead or above your brows over time. Do you smile big giant eye crinkling smiles? If so, everyone probably loves to be in your presence, but you may notice lines forming around the corners of your eyes called crow’s feet.
Repeatedly making an expression causes collagen in your skin to break down in that area. Overtime the skin loses elasticity in these areas and lines form.
An option is to avoid making facial expressions, but many people find this very hard to do on their own. You set the intention to be deadpan, or at least limit your expressions, and before you know it, you are scowling at the little old lady driving 30 in a 45 MPH zone while you fidget behind her. You try to limit your smile so it doesn’t crinkle your eyes, but realize you are looking fake and scary like you are about to take a bite out of someone.
What is the quickest fix for these lines if you don’t want to try to limit your expressions, are busy and don’t want to spend 30 minutes a day practicing face yoga, and you don’t want to wait for your new medical grade skin care regimen to work? Neuromodulators like Botox, Dysport, and Xeomin relax the muscles within 3 to 7 days after injection and allow the lines to soften or fade if they are not too deep.
- Fillers like Juvederm and Restalyne can be used to fill in stubborn lines that are deep or that are in places not treated by Botox and work instantly. Fillers, by replacing lost volume, stretch the skin and can be used to lift and add support. Some research shows that repeated injections may help stimulate the body’s own natural production of collagen. That will help reduce the number of lines and wrinkles as well.
If you don’t like the idea of using an injectable neuromodulator like Botox to help relax the muscles of your face, Botox-like peptides are an option. Peptides are chains of amino acids that are involved in intracellular communication and activate enzymes and hormones responsible for cellular processes.
- Leuphasyl and Argireline are the 2 most effective Botox-like peptides, especially when used together, and they block the flow of nerve impulses to the muscle cells helping relax them similarly to the way Botox works. In studies, they decreased wrinkle size, but did not make them go completely away. These peptides are not as strong and effective as Botox but are an option for those who hate needles or don’t like the thought of having something created from the Botulinum bacteria injected in their skin. I find these peptides help my Botox last longer, so I use them in combination with Botox and fillers.
There are many things that you can do to help slow down the signs of aging in your skin and decreasing the movement to the muscles of your face is one of them. If you would like to know more steps you can take to help stay looking younger longer, come back to this blog for more 11 more steps you can take to retain your youthful look and help keep your skin stay healthy for years to come.