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Smile lines naturally grow more prominent as we age, but that does not there’s nothing we can do about them. By making changes in your skincare routine and diet to maximize anti-aging benefits, you can keep your skin looking young and plump, thereby reducing the appearance of these pesky wrinkles.
An effective, anti-aging skincare routine and healthy diet can make all the difference in the world when it comes to wrinkle prevention and reduction. With that in mind, keep reading for more details on smile lines–including how to make them disappear.
"Smile lines occur due to the natural loss of volume that occurs in the face with age," Kavita Mariwalla, MD, FAAD, a top dermatologist based in New York City, tells Byrdie. "Our cheek compartment has seven fat pads that descend and shift with time. The smile lines become more prominent due to the way these fat pads shift and move."
Although some lines may be unavoidable as you grow older, there are certain lifestyle changes you can make to keep them at bay. According to Mariwalla, factors like sun damage and diet can make these smile lines deeper and more noticeable.
To minimize these wrinkles (and all wrinkles in general), protecting your skin from the sun is the first, and most important, step. Finding a sunscreen that works for you – and that you can commit to using everyday – is crucial, particularly if you have aging concerns. Really, the worst mistake in any skincare routine (anti-aging or otherwise) is inadequate sun protection.
The solution? Pick out a broad spectrum sunscreen that's at least SPF 30. Use it everyday and reapply frequently, even if you're spending your time inside.
Do not underestimate the importance of diet either. What you eat and drink can play an important role in the appearance of your skin. For example, limiting high-sugar foods and increasing water intake are two simple changes you can make to improve your skin.
Additionally, increasing your vitamin C intake can benefit your skin's appearance. According to US News, "Research shows that diets rich in fruits and veggies, which are the major contributors of vitamin C in foods, are associated with healthier skin among women."
The article also mentions linoleic acid: "In a study of 4,000 women, those with a diet higher in linoleic acid – the most abundant fatty acid in the skin – were less likely to experience skin thinning, which magnifies the wrinkles on the face."
