Facial lines are a natural part of aging. Like drinking more wine and not as much milk, it’s something that just happens as we tack on another year on earth. We don’t need to explain the wine, but here’s why we get more lines: as we get older, collagen production decreases, while the skin becomes thinner and doesn’t retain moisture as well. As a result, different types of facial wrinkles can appear.

Wrinkles fall into two categories—dynamic lines related to our facial expressions and static lines caused by factors other than facial movements, such as sun damage, an unhealthy diet, and alcohol and tobacco use.

But did you know there are seven different kinds of facial lines and wrinkles that can happen as we age? The following are the most frequently seen types of wrinkles, as well as how you can prevent and treat them. 

1. Forehead Lines

These are some of the most common deeper wrinkles that stretch horizontally across your forehead. However, they can also include short facial lines in the middle of your forehead or wing-shaped lines. We have the frontalis muscle to thank for forehead wrinkles—this muscle moves every time you raise your eyebrows or lookup.

How to treat forehead wrinkles. You can reduce the appearance of forehead wrinkles by using retinol and with cosmetic procedures such as Botox or fillers. Botox may also help prevent forehead wrinkles in the first place. What options are available to you depends on the severity of the wrinkles. Other forms of treatment, such as laser resurfacing or chemical peels, may also help.

2. Frown Lines

Frown lines are one of the most recognizable types of facial wrinkles. They appear between your eyebrows as vertical lines and may look like they make the number 11. They are also called “worry lines” and can happen as the result of squinting, furrowing your brows, and, you guessed it—frowning. 

How to treat frown lines. You can treat frown lines with Botox and fillers, but you can also prevent them by wearing sunglasses to prevent squinting. If you need prescription eyeglasses or contacts, wearing these can also reduce squinting. Reducing stress may also help prevent worry lines!

3. Crow’s Feet

You know crow’s feet as eye wrinkles that start at the outer corner of your eye and go out towards your hairline. Since the skin surrounding your eyes is some of the most delicate skin on your body, it’s more prone to facial lines and wrinkles. Reduced sebum production and natural aging combined with frequent squinting or smiling can cause crow’s feet.

How to treat crow’s feet. You can treat crow’s feet with chemical peels and laser resurfacing. Botox and fillers may also work as preventative treatments or in combination with additional treatments. You can also prevent crow’s feet by wearing sunscreen and sunglasses that protect the delicate skin around your eyes, not to mention using a high-quality eye cream starting in your 20s.

4. Tear Troughs

If you’ve ever seen a line extending from the bottom of your eye to your upper cheek, you may be seeing a tear trough. These tend to be deep facial lines under the eyes that get worse with age. Tear troughs can eventually begin to look like dark circles or baggy, puffy skin under the eyes.

How to treat tear troughs. Fillers, such as those containing hyaluronic acid, can assist in enhancing the appearance of tear troughs. Chemical peels and laser resurfacing may also help. You may also qualify for a lower eyelid lift, which is a type of plastic surgery. Getting enough rest, reducing salt in your diet, and using eye creams with caffeine may help prevent tear troughs and improve their appearance. 

5. Bunny Lines

Bunny lines are one of the less common types of facial wrinkles. These lines exist on either side of the nose, usually just below the bridge. They can happen from wrinkling your nose, smiling, or laughing. You may not ever get bunny lines depending on your unique facial structure and expressions.

How to treat bunny lines. Botox and fillers can help treat bunny lines. When it comes to prevention, using facial masks and keeping your face relaxed as much as possible may help smooth bunny lines and prevent them from getting worse if you are susceptible to them.

6. Nasolabial Folds

You may also know nasolabial folds as “laugh lines”. These lines start on either side of your nose and go down to your mouth. Although smiling and laughing can cause them, like most wrinkles, nasolabial folds are simply a natural part of aging.

How to treat laugh lines. Laugh lines are a type of facial line that’s best treated with fillers. Microneedling, chemical peels, and laser resurfacing may also help improve the appearance of laugh lines. Although it’s a more invasive treatment, a facelift can reduce or eliminate the appearance of nasolabial folds.

7. Marionette Lines

Marionette lines start close to where laugh lines end and extend down on either side of your chin. Although they are also a natural part of aging, the appearance of marionette lines can be made worse by skin sagging. 

How to treat marionette lines. Dermal fillers, plastic surgery, laser resurfacing, and Botox are the most effective treatments for Marionette lines. Chemical peels and microneedling may also help, as can keeping your skin moisturized. 

How to Prevent Wrinkles

You can prevent wrinkles by living a healthy lifestyle that involves a healthy diet, enough sleep, exercise, and limited alcohol or smoking. Getting enough antioxidants in your diet may also help prevent wrinkles, as can sleeping on your back, so your face isn’t pressed into your pillow overnight. 

As the skin loses moisture as it ages, staying hydrated by drinking adequate water throughout the day is critical to minimizing wrinkles, as is keeping your skin moisturized to help retain that moisture.

Skincare superstars for preventing different types of facial wrinkles include vitamin C, retinol, sunscreen, and antioxidants. Hyaluronic acid, peptides, and ceramides can also help restore moisture to the skin and reduce the appearance of wrinkles.

What’s Your Go-To Trick for Treating Wrinkles?

Do you have a favorite product, skincare treatment, or practice you do to help prevent and treat facial lines and wrinkles? Let us know your secrets in the comments below!