How to Reduce Laugh Lines

Collagen is a protein that is responsible for skin elasticity. Over time collagen production decreases which leads to laugh lines and wrinkles. Other factors that can lead to laugh lines include sun exposure, hormones and environmental damage. If you don't find your laugh lines funny, you can reduce their appearance with options that range from simple lifestyle changes to cosmetic surgery.

Things You'll Need

• Exfoliating cleanser or olive oil and sugar
• Water
• Banana
• Honey
• Fruits
• Vegetables

Instructions

1. 

   Facial Exercises

   Tighten and tone the muscles of the face and neck with facial exercises. Increased blood circulation and reduced tension will result in younger looking skin.

2. 

   Exfoliate

   Remove the top layer of the skin by exfoliating dead skin cells and reveal the smoother skin that is underneath. There are many exfoliating cleansers on the market, or you can make your own mixture with olive oil and sugar.

3. 

   Moisturize

   Hydrate your skin by drinking plenty of water. Apply rich moisturizers which help plump up lines and wrinkles. Firm and moisturize your skin by mixing half of a banana with 2 teaspoons of honey. Leave it on for 10 minutes then rinse with warm water.

4. 

   Vegetables

   Eat a diet rich in antioxidants to reduce the harmful effects of free radicals. Free radical damage will break down collagen, which leads to wrinkles. Fruits, vegetables, fish, legumes and nuts will keep your skin healthy. Incorporate green tea into your diet, which is a powerful antioxidant.

5. 

   Botox Injections

   Reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles with Botox injections. This procedure involves injecting a small dose of botulinum toxin into the facial muscle. The toxin temporarily paralyzes the muscle and gives the skin a smoother appearance.

6. 

   Spa

   Stimulate the growth of healthy new skin cells with microdermabrasion. This skin resurfacing treatment removes the top layer of dead skin cells when aluminum oxide crystals are applied to the top layer of skin. This procedure can be performed at a beauty salon, spa or physician's office. At home microdermabrasion kits are also available.

7. 

   Chemicals

   Regenerate the skin with a chemical solution that is applied to the top layer of the skin. This removes the damaged outer layers and the texture of the skin will appear smooth. This skin resurfacing treatment is performed by a physician.

8. 

   Laugh Lines

   Promote new collagen growth while minimizing laugh lines and wrinkles with laser resurfacing. In this method, an intense beam of light vaporizes the top layer of skin exposing fresh skin cells. should be performed by a qualified physician.

Tips & Warnings

• Protect the skin from the harmful effects of the sun by wearing sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher.

• Don't smoke. Smoking damages collagen and elastin which can lead to lines and wrinkles.

• Discuss all options with a qualified physician.

References

• WebMD: Wrinkles
• Smart Skin Care: Basics steps of facial skin care routine: Exfoliation
• American Academy of Dermatology: Chemical Peeling

Resources

• Time: Skip the Botox. Try Facial Yoga
• Earth Clinic Folk Remedies: Beautiful Skin Remedies
• Look Beauty: The Honey and Banana Facial