Frown lines are primarily caused by aging. As you age, your skin loses elasticity and doesn’t easily return to its original shape.
Other things that contribute to having frown lines are:
- Genetics. Your DNA determines whether you have the type of skin that is resilient and can delay lines or the type of skin that is more prone to lines and wrinkles.
- Sunlight. The UV rays in sunlight break down the elastin and collagen in your skin, making you more susceptible to the formation of lines.
- Repeated expressions. If there is a facial expression that you make often (like frowning, smiling, squinting or furrowing your eyebrows), you may be more likely to get frown lines.
- Stress. This can cause facial tension, which can lead to a repeated facial expression, which can lead to frown lines.
- Smoking. The repeated motion of smoking a cigarette or cigar can cause frown lines around the mouth. The tobacco smoke inhaled causes wrinkles and lines due to a narrowing of the blood vessels, which then deliver less oxygenated blood to those tissues.
Although many people turn to treatments such as injections of Botox to soften frown lines, there are some simple ways to start addressing frown lines without injections:
- Eat a healthy diet that includes lots of water. Proper hydration helps defend against facial lines. Also consider taking a supplement that includes omega-3 fatty acids to aid in skin hydration.
- Get enough sleep to allow your skin to recharge. And sleep on your back. Sleeping with your face on your pillow can stretch skin and encourage frown lines.
- Use sunscreen on your face every day. Don’t forget that the sun’s UV rays are there even on cloudy days and during the winter. And wear sunglasses. Not only will sunglasses keep you from squinting, but they’ll protect the skin around your eyes.
- Moisturize your face at least three times each day. Use your favorite moisturizer. Don’t forget the skin between your eyes and eyebrows.
- Exfoliate your face a couple of times a week. Use your favorite exfoliating scrub to clear away the dead skin cells.
There are many home remedies for dealing with frown lines. Though they might not be clinically tested or medically approved, there are people who believe in the power of home remedies such as:
- applying egg whites to the frown lines between your eyes/eyebrows
- applying yogurt mixed with honey, lemon juice, and the liquid from a vitamin E capsule, for 10 minutes before washing it off
- massaging a few drops of coconut oil or sweet almond oil into your frown lines every night before you go to bed
- swallowing a tablespoon of flaxseed oil two to four times a day
- applying a mask of mashed avocado for 20 minutes before rinsing it off
Some people feel that facial exercises will only sharpen frown lines due to the repetitive motion. Others believe that facial exercises can make the skin on your face more supple, which will soften frown lines.
How to get rid of frown lines in the forehead
For a smooth forehead, you need to work the frontalis muscle every day.
Put the palm of your left hand on the left side of your forehead. While you hold the skin tight with your left hand, press the palm of your right hand on the right side of your forehead and move it in a circular, clockwise massaging motion.
After two minutes, hold the right hand in place and massage the left side of your forehead with a counterclockwise circular motion for two minutes.
Repeat this process three times for a total of six minutes on each side.
How to get rid of lines around the eyes
To reduce crow’s feet by the eyes, put your thumbs by the outer corner of your eyes and your fingers on the top of your head. Squeeze your eyes shut tight and, with your thumbs, pull the outer corners of your eyes out toward the sides of your head and slightly up.
Hold this stretch for about 10 seconds and then relax. Repeat 15 times. Make this part of your daily routine.
As we age and our skin loses elasticity, our faces develop wrinkles and frown lines.
If you want to minimize those lines for a more youthful look, there are a number of options for people who want to avoid injections and other medical treatments. Many of these home remedies haven’t been proven in the medical community.
Discuss natural remedies for getting rid of frown lines with your doctor before changing your diet or taking supplements.