Smiling itself doesn't directly cause wrinkles or make you look older. While it's true that the folds that appear when you smile deepen as you age, those folds are not caused by smiling alone. They become more prominent due to other factors like sun exposure, smoking, poor diet, and the natural loss of collagen as we age.
Think of it this way: smiling is like a repeated movement that might highlight existing lines, but it's not the root cause of their formation.
However, some studies have shown that smiling faces are perceived as older than non-smiling ones, even if the individuals are the same age. This perception may be due to the way smiles subtly alter facial features and create more pronounced lines, especially as we age.
Ultimately, the key to preventing wrinkles and maintaining a youthful appearance is to protect your skin from the sun, adopt a healthy lifestyle, and prioritize skincare.
