Laugh Lines

If you are troubled by the appearance of laugh lines, then this guide is going to show you what you can do about it. So let’s begin.

What exactly are laugh lines?

This term refers to the wrinkles which tend to start out as small creases at the corner of your mouth, and over time, they develop into deeper wrinkles – which can stretch all the way from the corners of the mouth, upwards – towards the nose.

Basically, it is the creases, lines and folds which appear when you laugh or smile.

However, while they are called laugh lines because they show when you laugh or smile, this isn’t the primary reason for why they develop. The biggest cause is actually sun damage, as well as heredity factors (for example, it could be the bone structure you have inherited, which causes you to develop deeper wrinkles in certain places).
So what can be done to treat laugh line wrinkles?

One option is to have “fat” injections – which can help to plump up the area, and fill in the wrinkles. Usually, the fat will be taken from the stomach or thigh area, and then directly injected into the crease of your laugh line.

Collagen injections can also be used. These will give you temporary results, but a similar effect, and should last around 3 months.

If injections aren’t for you, then you may like to try using a glycolic acid moisturizer. This can help to reduce the appearance of the wrinkles. But be careful of the side effects associated with using glycolic acid based products. The biggest one is that it can make you extra-sensitive to sun damage. Also, the strongest formulas will require a prescription – so it is something to talk to a dermatologist or doctor about first.

Chemical peels offer an alternative solution. These can be used to take away the top layers of the skin, which may help to hide the wrinkles. It seems to work best with finer, less visible wrinkles – rather than deep, heavy lines.

Of course, Botox injections are popular to combat any type of wrinkle, and laugh lines are no exception. The downside is that the treatment isn’t permanent, so it will need to be repeated anywhere between 4-6 months.

Finally, you could use an anti-wrinkle cream such as LifeCell. Many of the top anti-wrinkle creams can deliver good results for finer lines, such as the ones which develop in the “laugh line” area.

In general, it is a good idea to apply sun screen to the area if you are going to be exposed to the sun. Sun damage, over time, will make the visibility of your laugh lines more pronounced, so anything you can do to reduce exposure to the harmful UV rays is a good idea.