Smile lines or nasolabial folds, sometimes called laugh lines, are wrinkles that primarily develop around the sides of your mouth. Sometimes smile lines can also occur around your eyes. They are more noticeable when you smile.
As you age, these types of wrinkles may be inevitable. However, you can reduce their severity using light therapy.
Firstly, though, it’s important to note what causes smile lines. The primary causes of smile lines include:
- a loss of elasticity (collagen)
- dehydrated skin
- genetics
- smoking
- sun damage.
How will light therapy help to minimise smile lines?
As we age, our body’s ability to make collagen is reduced and our skin begins to show the signs of aging in the form of wrinkles. Collagen is created by fibroblast cells that use amino acids and other minerals and vitamins to create new collagen protein.
The process of creating new collagen protein requires a lot of energy. The energy comes from the mitochondria, which is part of the cell. Light therapy helps to strengthen the mitochondria in cells.
The molecule in cells that carries energy is called ATP (adenosine triphosphate) and when cells have more ATP, they will function better and be better able to repair any ‘damage’ to the skin such as wrinkles.
Light therapy may help rejuvenate the skin by:
- Increasing collagen production in the skin, which gives the skin its elasticity
- Increasing fibroblast production, which helps produce collagen and other tissue fibres
- Increasing circulation between blood and tissue cells
- Protecting cells from damage
- Increasing mRNA in the cells, which helps stimulate the cell
- Improving facial texture
- Reducing fine lines
- Reducing wrinkle severity.
