As an aesthetician, I’ve studied thousands of faces up close and one thing I can tell you is this…Wrinkles are not simply signs of ageing. They’re little storytellers, shaped by the lives we lead and the habits we repeat.
While most lines can be traced back to sun damage, the reason some become deeper than others is down to our lifestyle choices.
And although I’ll never be an advocate for erasing every crease, if there are certain ones that bother you more than others, it helps to know what causes them, so you can work out how to soften their appearance.
So, here’s what the lines on your face are trying to tell you…
Frown Lines...
Think of these as the facial equivalent of the tension knots we hold in our neck and shoulders. Stress, worry and endless to-do lists all accumulate here, leaving their mark over time.
And the solution is anything that soothes your mind, body and soul. It could be a walk, a yoga class, or simply an hour curled up on the sofa with a cosy blanket and your favourite show. Simply focus on relaxing your nervous system and your forehead will follow suit.
Forehead Lines...
Despite their name, frown lines rarely come from frowning. More often than not, they’re ‘concentration lines’ and mine are the result of staring at my phone/laptop as if I’m solving a cryptic crossword 🙈
So a simple habit I’ve adopted is to gently smile while answering my emails. It relaxes your muscles, stops your brow from creasing and as a bonus, makes your inbox feel less overwhelming too!
Crow's Feet...
Crow’s feet may be the most misunderstood wrinkle of all. Most of them come from years of smiling, which makes them some of the happiest marks on your face. That said, squinting and rubbing your eyes can make them deeper than they need to be.
So aim to protect the delicate area with regular eye tests, sunglasses on bright days and take extra care when removing your mascara. That way you keep the happy memories without the extra damage.
Lip Lines...
These vertical creases used to be almost exclusively linked to smoking. But these days, straws and water bottles are often to blame, as the repeated pursing motion is almost identical.
So if the lines are starting to bother you, simply swap the trending Stanley cups for a regular glass instead. It sounds like a tiny change but it makes such a noticeable difference.
Smile Lines...
These are the creases that frame your mouth and run from the corners of your nose down towards your chin. They form through everyday habits like eating, talking and laughing, which are things you could never and should never avoid.
Over time though, they can make your smile look downturned, so to soften them, simply apply your skincare using upward, lifting motions. It releases the tension, elongates the muscles and keeps your smile lifted and youthful.
My Final thoughts...
Thankfully, whatever the length, depth or location of your lines, The 5 Minute Kit will visibly soften them all. And if you’d like to target specific creases, the TLC Roller boosts collagen exactly where you need it, for wrinkle-smoothing magic.
