Do you have lines between your eyebrows? Well, not to worry! They're called 11 lines, they're completely normal, and Cassandra has them as well! There are many different types of fine lines, and they form for different reasons.
What are 11 lines?
These lines are part of the glabellar complex. More simply, we have muscles that control our eyebrows and our forehead. And when we squint, we can see these “11” lines. These 11 lines can start to form wrinkles over time. Wrinkles largely happen because repeated facial expressions like squinting or brow furrowing impact skin elasticity in certain areas. Facial expressions eventually cause creases in the skin that can’t be undone. Sun, UV damage, dehydration, and pollutants also damage the skin and cause wrinkles to form faster.
When we smile, that repeated movement will change the skin that sits on top of those muscles.
This is why people go in for things like Botox. Botox is a neuromodulator, and when used appropriately and administered by a medical professional, Botox paralyzes muscles like the globular complex. Therefore, it makes it much more difficult to furrow your brows or frown. So, even though it doesn’t get rid of the wrinkles that are already present, Botox prevents you from being able to move and animate your facial muscles. So, those wrinkles won’t develop as quickly over time.
As mentioned before, these lines are completely normal even though people are always seeking to get rid of them. People often buy an excess of "anti-aging" creams to treat fine lines, but just because the cream is labeled “anti-aging” doesn't mean the product has ingredients that will truly help. So, Cassandra is going to share some things you can do at home for 11 lines.
But remember, even though the products we’re about to discuss are very helpful, they are not comparable to Botox or neuromodulators. They are not comparable to medical treatments like fillers either. In reality, these OTC products are not going to give you a result anywhere near that.
Another reminder is that you need to wear sunscreen to prevent new fine lines. Sunscreen will also prevent them from getting any worse, and it's definitely an at-home product you can use to treat fine lines ! But, what else can you use to work on 11 lines?
The Ordinary Argireline Solution 10% - $11
Kate Middleton actually is obsessed with one, and people often call it “Botox in a Bottle.” Of course, this is not the same thing, but it does work well. At the very least, it hydrates the skin, and best case scenario, it will improve fine lines. Read more about argireline here. Results will be different for everyone, but argireline does have some promising science behind it.
In comparison to a neuromodulater, argireline is hypothesized to work similarly. It is supposed to help temporarily paralyze the muscles. But even if this product does not do that, it does contain hydrators that can help plump up fine lines and wrinkles.
But because the claims about argireline are not foolproof, Cassandra wouldn’t spend more than like 20 bucks on it. Even putting on something like hyaluronic acid, ceramides, peptides, or vitamin C can help to plump up those outer layers of the skin.
Perricone MD Vitamin C Ester CCC+ Ferulic Brightening Complex 20% - $165
This is a cruelty-free oil-soluble vitamin C, and it’s one of Cassandra’s favorite forms of vitamin C, tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate. This form of vitamin C is more expensive. But as long as you find tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate in a product that is light stable and formulated well, it’s not like you have to buy the most expensive one. If you apply too much, it can peel up a little bit. But Cassandra loves this, and it’s amazing for people with more mature skin.
Oil-soluble vitamin C works very well for fine lines and wrinkles. Not only is vitamin C an antioxidant and brightener, but it’s actually necessary for our bodies to create protein. Elastin and collagen are proteins, but it’s actually very difficult to get vitamin C into the skin. Vitamin C is water soluble whereas the skin is oily. Oil-soluble vitamin Cs are fantastic because they work with your skin’s biology, and likewise, they’re able to penetrate and get to the skin cells within.
The nucleus is the center of the cell, but vitamin C needs to be oil-soluble to reach it. There have been multiple medical studies showing oil-soluble vitamin C to be very effective in treating UV damage, pigmentation, and wrinkles.
Allies of Skin 35% Vitamin C Perfecting Serum - $148
Although this is still expensive, it’s a more affordable version of tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate. It’s magnificent, and Cassandra loves this as an oil-soluble vitamin C. It’s great because it’s a vitamin C at 35%. This formula is a little more hydrating and nourishing whereas the Perricone one definitely gives you an oily sheen. Cassandra would recommend this one for more dry skin. It’s a less expensive, but reputable form of tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate.
Cassandra has used this silicone-free, eco-friendly product multiple times. It sticks to her face, and it fits her forehead. We often make facial contractions at night which over time can also contribute to creases in the face. If you wear this at night for 8 hours during sleep, this can prevent the creases from forming as deeply.
Pacifica Disney’s The Little Mermaid Reusable Brow Mask - $7.49
This is also another choice for brow masks
AcneFree Adapalene Gel - $9.79
This is one of Cassandra’s favorite budget-option retinoids. This is a third-generation retinoid. More simply, adapalene gel doesn’t break down in the sun the way regular retinoids do. it’s basically safe to use during the day, but like always, you’ll still need sunscreen. Sunscreen is the most important part of fine-line prevention because sunscreen prevents collagen from breaking down in the first place. So, this is a wonderful option to use throughout the day.
Retinoids work by binding to certain receptors in your skin. Then, they tell your skin cells to proliferate or make more of themselves. This process plumps up the deep layers of your skin. You can put this product under a patch like the ones listed above, and it will penetrate even deeper. The patch will help to hold and seal it in.
Again, these products are very different from Botox, or in-office treatments, but these are great products to use at home to target fine lines such as “11 lines!”
Photocred: Healthline