Babies do it, kids do it, and even the grumpiest adults on the planet do it sometimes. They smile! Today we’ll show you how to get rid of laugh lines naturally.
Being one of the first things you learn how to do only mere weeks after you’re born, smiling probably feels as natural to you as breathing (at least on the good days).
Seeing that curved line on someone’s face somehow has the power to make everything right and give you much-needed comfort at times.
But apparently, having a good laugh here and there might come with a cost of its own, no matter how good you take care of your skin. That consequence is the ever-deepening laugh lines.
While there are certainly far worse things in life, laugh lines can be annoying, to say the least. Especially, if you aren’t pleased with the way your skin looks when you’re not smiling.
If your laugh lines bring you and your smile down, then you may be looking or interested in ways to get rid of them naturally. So we’re going to share a handful of tips and tricks that might very well help you smile with confidence again.
Why Do I Get Laugh Lines if Smiling is Good For Me?
Laugh lines are the tiny wrinkles that appear on the side of your mouth and the outer corners of your eyes. These are the parts of your face that are most “affected” whenever you smile.
However, that certainly isn’t the only reason why you get them and no, you don’t need to stop smiling and laughing altogether.
Actually, you may be prone to getting deeper laugh lines due to your genetics, lifestyle, and various outer factors such as sun exposure or harsher weather. These can also play a big role.
While you can’t completely control all of those things, there are some steps you can take to ease your laugh lines naturally.
“That’s what I want to do” – tell me where to start!
Here are a few changes you can make regarding your lifestyle that may help out.
1. Drink More Water
Increasing your water intake won’t only help with laugh lines but it’ll also do wonders for your overall complexion (think dewy skin). Also, you may want to skip coffee and fizzy drinks because they can dehydrate you, which can make your skin look worse.
If you’re not a big fan of water, you can always make some infused water using various fruits and herbs that can make drinking water much more pleasant.
2. Welcome Antioxidants & Omega-3 Fatty Acids
You probably knew we were going to say change your diet, didn’t you? While it may sound like the biggest cliché, diet plays a huge part in the way your skin looks and feels. However, we’d skip the sugar-is-bad-for-you thing.
If you want to fill out those lines faster, focus more on eating foods rich in antioxidants – think plenty of berries & dark chocolate here. These kinds of foods will help your skin produce more collagen.
Also, boost your intake of omega-3 fatty acids. Salmon is a good food to start with and according to WebMD, eating two meals per week of fatty fish can reduce the risk of fatal heart disease by 40%.
3. Step Up Your Cardio!
Ok, we know… another cliché!
Regardless, getting some exercise on a regular basis helps with blood flow and speeds up the growth of new cells in your skin. On top of that, you’ll also feel more in control of your body and more confident, which is never a bad thing.
Choose/do whatever makes you feel good. It might be a morning run or an afternoon gym class, just make sure you stick with it for at least a couple of times per week.
4. Use The Right Skin Products
Removing makeup at night feels like the most difficult thing ever, doesn’t it?
However, you’re not helping your laugh lines when you don’t take proper care of your skin – of course, with the right products for your skin type.
Apart from using a gentle skin cleanser, find a moisturizer that will hydrate your skin and smooth out any smaller wrinkles. Bonus points if that moisturizer comes with SPF protection. If not, make sure you apply sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 15!
“I’m doing all of that and my laugh lines are still there!”
Then perhaps, you need to step up your game here a bit – and facial yoga is a real thing!
Most of the exercises are fun, simple and easy to do. Plus they may help you tone your facial muscles. Here are a few suggestions you might enjoy:
1. Pump Those Uhm… Cheeks!
Start by hooking the corners of your mouth with your index fingers. Pull a bit to the sides and tighten the corners of your mouth while pulling. You’ll feel the resistance you’re creating.
Hold it for 5-7-10 seconds, whatever feels comfortable and let go.
Repeat daily for about 10-20 times.
2. Say Cheese!
Well, you’re not actually taking pictures here, but you can use the method of smiling big and with your teeth together to strengthen your face muscles.
In order to do it properly, imagine someone’s taking a shot of you and put on the biggest smile you can while keeping your teeth together.
Hold it for 7-10 seconds and relax. Repeat it 10-15 times per day.
3. Up and Away!
This one is so easy that you can literally do it anywhere & everywhere (don’t forget to make sure your hands are clean though).
Press your palms on your cheeks and reach out for your hairline with the fingers. Pull the corners of your mouth until you open it up slightly. Optionally, you can also pull some of the skin around your eyes; just make sure you have them closed.
Hold that for 25-30 seconds and release. You can repeat it to a maximum of three times.
4. Rub-dub The Corners of Your Eyes
Close your eyes and place each thumb near the corners of your eyes. Start sliding the thumbs away from the eyes and towards your temples. This action should help smooth out all of the minor lines.
Optionally, you can do this by placing your index and middle finger together – but don’t forget to slide outwards, toward the hair.
*Bonus points: this one may even help with headaches*
Smoothing It Up
While laugh lines may not be your skin’s new best friend, you’ve got to remember one thing: if nothing else, you probably got them from having a hell of a good time!
However, as long as you take good care of both your body and skin, laugh lines and wrinkles should be minimized or at least delayed from showing up.
Do you happen to have any favorite method of your own when it comes to removing laugh lines and minor wrinkles? If that’s the case, drop us a comment and let us know – we’d love to hear from you!