Emotions and Facial Expressions: Understanding Their Impact on Skin Health and Premature Aging
Facial expressions are a fundamental part of human communication. They allow us to convey a range of emotions and thoughts to those around us, and they can even impact our own physical and emotional wellbeing. When we experience emotions, our facial muscles respond by contracting in specific ways. Over time, these repeated contractions can lead to the formation of fine lines and wrinkles, which can affect our overall appearance. In this article, we will explore the relationship between emotions, facial expressions, and the health of our skin.
Emotions and Facial Expressions
Emotions are an automatic response to stimuli that prepare us to deal with important events. Our emotions are typically expressed through our facial expressions, which are a result of the contraction of specific muscles in our face. For instance, when we feel happy, we might smile, which causes the zygomaticus major muscle to contract. When we feel sad or upset, we might frown, which causes the corrugator supercilii muscle to contract.
Interestingly, these facial expressions are not just an outward expression of our emotions, but they can also impact how we feel internally. This is because our facial expressions send feedback to our brain, which can influence our emotions and thoughts. For example, studies have shown that people who were instructed to hold a pen between their teeth, which activates the zygomaticus major muscle and mimics a smile, reported feeling happier than those who were instructed to hold a pen between their lips, which activates the corrugator supercilii muscle and mimics a frown.
Facial Expressions and Skin Health
Repeated contraction of the same facial muscles can lead to the formation of fine lines and wrinkles. This is because when we contract our facial muscles, our skin creases and folds along with them. Over time, these creases can become permanent, leading to the formation of wrinkles. For instance, repeated contraction of the corrugator supercilii muscle, which is responsible for frowning, can lead to the formation of vertical lines between the eyebrows, commonly known as "frown lines."
It is also worth noting that the muscles in our face are connected to each other, which means that the formation of wrinkles in one area can impact the appearance of other areas. For instance, the nasolabial folds, which are the lines that run from the corners of the nose to the corners of the mouth, can become more prominent due to the repeated contraction of the orbicularis oris muscle, which is responsible for pursing the lips.
Emotional Wellbeing and Skin Health
Our emotional wellbeing can also impact the health of our skin. When we experience negative emotions such as stress, anger, or sadness, our body releases stress hormones such as cortisol, which can have negative effects on our skin. Cortisol can break down collagen, which is a protein that gives our skin its elasticity and strength. When collagen breaks down, our skin can become less firm and more prone to wrinkles.
Negative emotions can also cause us to engage in unhealthy behaviours such as smoking, drinking alcohol, or overeating, which can also negatively impact our skin health. Smoking is known to cause wrinkles and premature aging of the skin due to the damage it causes to collagen and elastin fibres.
On the other hand, positive emotions such as happiness, contentment, and relaxation can have a positive impact on our skin health. When we experience positive emotions, our body releases endorphins, which can reduce stress and inflammation, and promote healthy blood flow to the skin. This can result in a healthier and more radiant complexion.
While facial expressions are a crucial part of human communication, they can also impact our physical and emotional wellbeing. Repeated contraction of the same facial muscles can lead to the formation of fine lines and wrinkles.
How To Reduce The Premature Development of Lines and Wrinkles
You can help mitigate the premature development of lines and wrinkles from facial expressions, while also promoting overall wellbeing and healthy-looking skin by:
Practicing facial exercises: Facial exercises can help strengthen and tone the muscles in your face, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. These exercises involve moving the muscles of the face in different directions and holding them in position for a period of time.
Stay hydrated: Drinking plenty of water can help keep your body stay hydrated, flush out toxins and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Aim to drink at least eight glasses of water a day.
Wear sunscreen: Sun damage is one of the leading causes of premature aging. Wearing sunscreen with at least SPF 30 can help protect your skin from the harmful effects of the sun.
Avoid smoking: Smoking can cause premature aging of the skin, including wrinkles and fine lines. Quitting smoking or avoiding it altogether can help prevent premature aging.
Get enough sleep: Lack of sleep can contribute to the development of fine lines and wrinkles. Aim to get at least 7-8 hours of sleep each night to help your skin stay healthy and youthful-looking.
Use quality skincare: Serums and moisturisers can help keep your skin hydrated and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Choose products that are appropriate for your skin type and use consistently, morning and night.
Consider professional treatments: If you are concerned about the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, there are a variety of professional treatments available to support pro-aging. Our personal favourites? The Neolifting Face Sculpting + Buccal Massage and the Organic Facelift.
