Expression Lines vs. Static Wrinkles: What’s the Difference and How Should You Treat Them?
Imagine a world where we never smiled, laughed, or even frowned. Sure, we might keep our skin smoother for longer, but at what cost? Our expressions tell our stories. They show joy, surprise, deep thought—and yes, over time, they leave their mark.
But what if you could keep expressing yourself and maintain smooth, youthful skin? The good news is, you can. Thanks to modern aesthetic treatments, there are effective ways to soften fine lines and wrinkles without giving up the beauty of natural expression.
The real question is: what kind of wrinkles do you have? Are they expression lines that appear when you move your face, or static wrinkles that have settled in permanently? And more importantly—what’s the best way to treat them?
What Are Expression Lines?
Expression lines (also known as dynamic wrinkles) are the little creases that show up when you smile, frown, or squint. Over time, as collagen and elastin levels decline, these lines start lingering longer than they used to.
Some people love the character expression lines bring to their face. Others wish they’d been a little less expressive over the years. Either way, once these lines begin sticking around, they’re harder to ignore.
Where Do Expression Lines Appear?
- Crow’s Feet – Those tiny lines around the eyes from smiling and squinting.
- Forehead Lines – The horizontal lines that appear when you raise your eyebrows.
- Frown Lines (11s) – The vertical creases between your eyebrows that deepen over time.
- Laugh Lines (Nasolabial Folds) – The lines that run from your nose to the corners of your mouth.
The more expressive you are, the sooner these lines start appearing. But don’t worry—there are plenty of ways to prevent and treat them.
What Are Static Wrinkles?
Unlike expression lines, static wrinkles don’t need movement to be visible—they’re there all the time. These wrinkles are a natural part of ageing and develop as collagen, elastin, and moisture levels decline.
You might first notice static wrinkles where your skin naturally folds, like around your mouth or on your cheeks. Over time, they can become more prominent, making your face look less smooth and youthful.
What Causes Static Wrinkles?
- Loss of Collagen & Elastin – The skin becomes less firm and bouncy over time.
- Sun Damage – UV/sun rays accelerate skin ageing, breaking down collagen faster.
- Lifestyle Choices – Smoking, poor hydration or sleep, and diet can all speed up wrinkle formation.
If expression lines are the first signs of ageing, static wrinkles are what happens when those lines settle in for good. But even these deeper wrinkles can be treated.
Can You Prevent Wrinkles?
While you can’t stop ageing altogether, there’s plenty you can do to slow it down and keep your skin looking its best for longer.
Here’s How to Keep Wrinkles at Bay:
- Hydration is Key – Drink plenty of water and use a good moisturiser to maintain skin elasticity.
- Wear SPF Daily – UV rays are the number one cause of premature ageing. Even on cloudy days, sunscreen is a must.
- Incorporate Retinoids & Peptides – Retinoids boost collagen production, while peptides help repair the skin.
- Consider Facial Exercises – While the jury’s still out, some swear by facial yoga to tone and lift the skin.
- Use Anti-Wrinkle Injections Preventatively – Many people start anti-wrinkle treatments in their late 20s or early 30s to keep lines from deepening.
- Adopt a Balanced Lifestyle – A healthy diet, stress management, and good sleep habits all contribute to better skin.
Prevention is always easier than correction. But if you’re already seeing wrinkles settle in, there are plenty of treatments to help.
The Best Treatments for Expression Lines
If your wrinkles are only visible when you move your face, treatments that target muscle movement and skin hydration will work best.
Top Treatment Options:
- Botulinum Toxin (or Other Neuromodulators) – The most effective way to calm overactive muscle that causes expression lines, preventing them from deepening. The muscles in our face are the only muscles in our body that get stronger over time (not fair right?). Anti-wrinkle injections will calm this excessive movements and pulling by the muscles on your soft skin reducing the line formation over time.
- Hyaluronic Acid Serums – Hydrated skin looks plumper and smoother, making fine lines less noticeable.
- LED Light Therapy – Red light therapy stimulates collagen production, helping to smooth early-stage expression lines.
- Microneedling – By creating tiny injuries in the skin, microneedling encourages collagen growth and improves texture.
- Chemical Peels – A light chemical peel helps exfoliate and refresh the skin, reducing the appearance of fine lines over time.
These treatments are great for softening early wrinkles, but what if your lines have already settled in?
The Best Treatments for Static Wrinkles
Static wrinkles need a little more work. Because they’re no longer just about muscle movement, treatments that boost collagen and resurface the skin tend to be the most effective.
Best Treatments for Deeper Wrinkles:
- Dermal Fillers – Hyaluronic acid-based fillers restore lost volume, smoothing out deeper lines and folds.
- Skin boosters and Polynucleotides– these treatments will lock moisture in at a deeper levels that creams can ever access and make the skin more resilient by promoting collagen formation.
- Radiofrequency & Ultrasound Therapy – These non-invasive treatments use heat to tighten the skin and boost collagen production. This treatment includes Morpheus8 and Ultraformer.
- Prescription Retinoids & Growth Factors – Stronger retinoids help refine the skin’s surface over time, making wrinkles less visible. You should only buy retinols from a skin clinic to ensure you obtain the right strength and use it in the right way to get the best results.
- Deep Chemical Peels – More intensive than regular peels, these treatments remove the outer layers of skin, revealing fresher, smoother skin underneath.
Static wrinkles are harder to treat than expression lines, but with the right approach, they can be softened for a more youthful, refreshed look. You don’t need to live with them!
The Bottom Line: Wrinkles Are Inevitable, But You Have Options
Expression lines and static wrinkles are part of life. Some people embrace them, while others prefer to smooth them out. There’s no right or wrong choice—only what makes you feel confident in your own skin.
Whether you want to prevent fine lines, soften deep-set wrinkles, or simply maintain your skin’s youthful glow, the key is consistency. A great skincare routine, professional treatments, and healthy lifestyle choices can all help you age in a way that feels right for you.
And if you ever feel like refreshing your look, a little aesthetic tweak here and there never hurt anyone.
Time for a professional medical opinion on those pesky wrinkles? Contact Look Lovely London today to book your consultation or treatment appointment. To make an appointment, please book online or call 020 3900 2756 and we can help devise a personalised treatment plan just for you.
