Laugh lines - what to do

[blurnette989]

Hi! So my laugh lines have started bothering me. I don't mind having them as I've always had a great smile, but I'm sure in 10 years I will feel differently. But what is bugging me is that when not smiling the areas that crease appear darker than the rest of my face. Any ideas on how I can correct this?

Also am currently pregnant and plan to nurse so I probably can't do Botox for a couple years.

[Taitai]

Jul 12, 2018 4:19:50 GMT -6 blurnette989 said:

Hi! So my laugh lines have started bothering me. I don't mind having them as I've always had a great smile, but I'm sure in 10 years I will feel differently. But what is bugging me is that when not smiling the areas that crease appear darker than the rest of my face. Any ideas on how I can correct this?

Also am currently pregnant and plan to nurse so I probably can't do Botox for a couple years.

In terms of pregnancy/breastfeeding safe skincare, your best bet to reduce lines is to use a vitamin C serum, hyaluronic acid product, and daily facial sunscreen (Japanese sunscreens are typically safe for pregnancy - as most don’t rely on oxybenzone).

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is one of the only things that research has shown can help even skin tone and reduce lines. The reason for helping with lines is because topical application of ascorbic acid can promote collagen growth.

Another thing to do is to use hyaluronic acids to keep your skin hydrated. Basically - when your skin is plump and hydrated, your lines don’t appear as deep and aren’t as visible. It’s not as good as getting filler or Botox, but I’ve noticed my skin looks a lot less aged when it’s properly hydrated.

T’iam My Signature C Source serum is a bit C serum that is really effective and it’s not expensive ($15 per bottle, which lasts me like 3 months - provided I keep it in the fridge and away from light). Use a low ph cleanser and (if you are so inclined) a low ph prep toner before you put on the vit C. PH matters with that kind of stuff, so you want your skin to be as close to a PH 4 or 5 before putting on the serum, in order for it to maximize its effect.

Hyaluronic acid comes in a range of products. Hada Labo gokujyun lotion is popular. Lots of sheet masks have HA in them too.

As always - daily sunscreen application will help all lines (including laugh lines) from getting worse, because sun damage makes existing wrinkles/lines much worse.

However - all the stuff I’ve listed above (HA and Vit C) are temporary and if you stop using them, your skin will go back to how it was. They don’t really rewind the clock permanently. Sunscreen also prevents further damage, but doesn’t really take you back - if that makes sense.

More permanent or invasive treatments can turn back time...but, I am no expert at botox, lasers, filler, plastic surgery, or any of that stuff. Plus, they’re not pregnancy/nursing safe.

[Taitai]

blurnette989 I forgot to mention there are also retinoids you could use, which promote collagen growth and can fade lines. However, they’re not recommended for pregnancy. Some doctors will say they’re ok while breastfeeding, while others won’t.

Also, I’m not sure retinoids could do much for smile lines around the mouth. I think normally people use fillers to get rid of those.

If you end up finding something that helps and is breastfeeding safe - please let me know! I have some smile lines too.

ETA - I just re-read your OP, and for the darkening around the creases - Vit C can definitely help with that. It did wonders for my melasma when I was pregnant.

[blurnette989]

Thanks Taitai! I currently use a hylauronic acid moisturizer and I've always done sunscreen pretty religously as I'm really fair to begin with. So I definitely will have to add a Bit C see to my routine. I also think I need to start reapplying sunscreen a second time a day own that I live in Portugal. Just so much more sun exposure here (which I love) but I've noticed more light freckling since we moved here. I think some HA sheet masks wouldn't hurt either. My Sephora has a really solid K beauty section and I need to check out el Cortes inglês, which is probably the most comprehensive department store we have selection wise.

I'll let you know if I find anything else!

[Taitai]

Jul 15, 2018 7:43:34 GMT -6 blurnette989 said:

Thanks Taitai! I currently use a hylauronic acid moisturizer and I've always done sunscreen pretty religously as I'm really fair to begin with. So I definitely will have to add a Bit C see to my routine. I also think I need to start reapplying sunscreen a second time a day own that I live in Portugal. Just so much more sun exposure here (which I love) but I've noticed more light freckling since we moved here. I think some HA sheet masks wouldn't hurt either. My Sephora has a really solid K beauty section and I need to check out el Cortes inglês, which is probably the most comprehensive department store we have selection wise.

I'll let you know if I find anything else!

I bet Corte ingles would have lots of sheet masks- I love that department store.

Also, I think reapplying sunscreen is a good idea. The rule is you should reapply for every 2 hours of sun exposure. So once you have cumulatively been out in the sun for 2 hrs, time for another application. The time in the sun doesn’t need to be consecutive. So, if you are out for 1 hr, inside for 5 hrs, out again another 30 min, inside for 2 more hrs...you would still have 30 minutes of “sun time” left, before you need to reapply. Just FYI - I’d been confused about that rule before.