What Wrinkles Can Reveal About Your Character?

"Tell me what type of wrinkles you have and I'll tell you who you are?" - Vouge Magazine. 

As we get older we gain our wisdom-highlights aka grey hair and also fine lines start to appear. These lines are more than just the signs of aging they tell us how we have 'worn' our face over the years.

Skin is one of the largest organs on our bodies and it is the filter between the outside world and our minds. Over time our habits, lifestyle, vices, and even genetics start to show.

Yet, for many of us, our wrinkles rather than being a badge of honor for a life well-lived can be one of our greatest fears.

"The vertical ones, on the forehead, around the eyes or the lips, depend on negative emotional expressions such as frowning or anger, crow's feet with horizontal patterns are related to expressions of joy, laughter, surprise and 'mark' the face in a pleasant way". - Dr Dario Tartaglini, a cosmetic surgeon

Some of us go out of our way to keep wrinkles at bay, but according to Psychologist Anna Zanardi, genetics and lifestyle choices aren't the only factor for wrinkles! There is also a link between our emotions and our skin:

"Skin is not only a parchment recording our past but also our present state."

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Crows feet (laughter lines)

One of the common wrinkles is usually found around the corners of your eyes. Most noticeable when you laugh or squint. They're caused by a life of laughter (and Squinting).

The skin around our eyes is the thinnest skin on our bodies. To combat crows feet if you are still young then laugh less and get some glasses! Seriously, ensure you stay hydrated and use sun cream.

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Under-eye lines

Wrinkles under your eyes, as opposed to on corners, develop in a similar way to crows feet. But how do we combat them? You can get creams to specifically target under the eye areas which can certainly be helpful as they can help keep the area hydrated and moisturized.

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Frown Lines

The dreaded frown lines appear across the length of your forehead. However, they can also make an unwelcome appearance between our brow area too!

In general frown lines appear when we frown no matter the age, but as we get older the elastic modulus of the skin reduces and lines remain a permanent fixture.

Frown lines can be made worse by various environmental factors and stress. These specific wrinkles may be trying to tell you that your face has been exposed to too many adverse lifestyle factors over the years!

Smoking, sun pollution, and even stress can all damage the skin as well as a reduction the amount of collagen in the skin as we age. Collagen is a protein we all need. It helps to keep the skin supple and smooth.

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Smile Lines

Smile lines are the creases that can be seen around your mouth. These lines are visible in younger people too when they smile, but get more defined with age.

These wrinkles, like all others, are produced by a decline of collagen and elastin in your skin. Smoking and sun damage can also worsen these lines, making them appear deeper than they may have been naturally.

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Final thoughts

We can't truly hide who we are. Over the years our habits both good and bad will start to show on our skin!

A record of who we have been in the past, what we did then, and how we are living now. A life well lived or a short-tempered attitude may even start to show up on our forehead, around the eyes, and at the sides of the lips.

If you are young maybe there is still time to change your ways and choose how you want to wear your wrinkles as you age! If you are older wear your wrinkles with pride as they are the story of your life.

Whatever the age, stay hydrated and in the words of Mary Schmich "wear sunscreen."