Crying is a natural human emotional response to pain, sorrow, joy or other intense feelings. When we cry, tears well up in our eyes and spill down our cheeks. Some people believe that frequent crying can cause permanent changes to the face, such as wrinkles around the eyes or a permanently sad expression. But is there any truth to the idea that crying extensively can physically alter your facial features?
What happens when we cry?
Crying is triggered by emotions arising in the limbic system of the brain, specifically the hypothalamus and pituitary gland. When we feel strong emotions, the hypothalamus releases hormones that tell the lacrimal glands around the eyes to produce tears. The tears then spill out through the lacrimal ducts onto the front of the eyes and flow down the cheeks.
Crying serves several biological functions. The physical act helps restore emotional equilibrium following an upsetting event. Tears contain stress hormones and other potentially toxic substances that are flushed out of the body through crying. Crying also signals to others that we are in distress and need support.
When we cry, the facial muscles contort into a typical expression. The inner eyebrows are pulled up and together, the chin wrinkles, and the mouth stretches horizontally. This contorted facial expression associated with crying is believed to serve an important social function, eliciting comfort and care from others.
Does frequent crying cause wrinkles?
Many people believe that crying regularly or frequently will lead to permanent wrinkles around the eyes and mouth. There are two primary ways that frequent crying could potentially impact facial appearance:
1. Repeated muscle contractions
Whenever we make a facial expression, the repeated contractions of the facial muscles strengthens the connection between nerve and muscle. Over time, repeatedly using the same facial muscles can lead to permanent wrinkles and lines reflecting that expression.
The facial muscular contortions associated with crying could potentially create permanent wrinkles reflecting sadness. For example, the upward eyebrow movement could lead to horizontal lines across the forehead. Repeated squinting of the eyes could create crow’s feet at the corners. And downturned mouth expressions could create marionette lines from the nose to the chin.
2. Dehydration
Crying causes fluid loss through the tears streaming down the face. This can potentially lead to dehydration of the skin, particularly around the eyes. Dry, dehydrated skin is more prone to fine lines and wrinkles. People who cry frequently may be more prone to wrinkles around the eyes due to the dehydrating effect of excessive tears.
So in theory, frequent crying could potentially cause or worsen wrinkles on the face. But what does the science actually say about crying and facial wrinkles?
Scientific research on crying and facial aging
There has been surprisingly little scientific research specifically looking at whether frequent crying leads to accelerated facial aging or more wrinkles. But a handful of studies have looked at related questions that can give us some clues.
A 2015 study published in The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease looked at anxiety as a predictor of facial wrinkling in men. Anxiety often goes hand-in-hand with frequent crying and tearing up. The study photographed 52 men between 20 and 40 years old and had them fill out questionnaires about their anxiety levels. Independent evaluators then assessed the amount of facial wrinkling in the photographs.
The study found that higher levels of anxiety were associated with more facial wrinkling, particularly around the eyes. Men with more anxiety showed significantly higher wrinkling scores around the eyes. This lends some support to the idea that anxiety and associated crying could worsen wrinkles.
Another study published in 2021 in the journal Emotion examined whether the facial expressions associated with different emotions could lead to emotion-specific wrinkles over time. They had 27 participants repeatedly make facial expressions reflecting happiness, anger, sadness, fear or a neutral face. They photographed the faces and used digital image analysis to map wrinkles reflecting each expression.
They found that repeatedly making an angry facial expression led to temporary wrinkles around the eyebrows and nose, reflecting anger. And repeatedly expressing fear led to creases around the eyes associated with that emotion. This demonstrates that repeated use of specific facial muscle movements can create wrinkles that correspond to particular emotions. By extension, the facial muscular contractions involved in crying could potentially lead to wrinkles reflecting sadness with frequent repetition.
While these studies provide some evidence that crying and associated emotions may worsen wrinkles, more direct research is still needed. There have not yet been any longitudinal studies following people over time and assessing whether more frequent criers show accelerated facial aging. This type of study would provide the most definitive evidence on whether crying contributes to wrinkles.
Other factors that influence wrinkles
While crying may play a role, there are many other variables that contribute to facial wrinkling and aging. Some of the major factors besides crying include:
– Aging – The skin naturally loses collagen, elastin and fat as we get older. This leads to wrinkles and sagging.
– Sun exposure – UV radiation from the sun damages skin cell DNA and leads to wrinkles, age spots and loose skin.
– Smoking – Smoking restricts blood vessels, damaging skin cells. This can accelerate wrinkles.
– Facial expressions – Making any facial expressions, not just crying, repeatedly folds the skin in certain ways that can create wrinkles over time. Happiness and surprise expressions also lead to wrinkles around the eyes with repetition.
– Sleep quality – Lack of sleep releases stress hormones that impair collagen production. Poor sleep is linked with premature skin aging.
– Hydration – Dehydration makes skin thinner and more prone to wrinkling. Drinking adequate water helps plump out skin.
– Weight loss – Shedding facial fat can make wrinkles more apparent.
– Genetics – Some people have a genetic predisposition towards wrinkling and sagging skin at an earlier age.
For most people, frequent crying is likely just one contributor to wrinkling and facial aging among many other lifestyle and genetic factors. While it may play a role, focusing on the other modifiable risk factors for wrinkles may have a greater overall impact on skin aging.
Tips to prevent wrinkles from crying
If you are concerned about crying leading to more wrinkles, there are some steps you can take to help prevent facial wrinkling and offset any impact from tears:
– Moisturize regularly, especially around the eyes, to keep skin hydrated. Look for rich creams with hyaluronic acid.
– Wear sunglasses when outside to minimize squinting and protect skin from sun damage.
– Stop smoking and limit alcohol intake.
– Apply soothing cool compresses to the eyes after crying episodes.
– Consume collagen supplements or foods high in antioxidants.
– Practice stress reduction techniques such as yoga, meditation and mindfulness.
– Get at least 7-9 hours of sleep per night.
– Stay well hydrated by drinking plenty of water daily.
– Consider cosmetic procedures like retinoids, laser resurfacing or botox to reduce existing wrinkles.
By taking comprehensive anti-aging and skin health measures, you can help offset any potential wrinkling effects from crying.
Does crying make you look older?
Some people believe that regularly crying can make you look chronologically older than your age. There are a few reasons why frequent crying could potentially contribute to a more aged appearance:
– Wrinkles associated with crying expressions
– Under eye bags and dark circles from crying-related dehydration
– A downcast, sad look from repeated frowning while crying
– Lack of makeup due to tears or not wanting makeup to run
– Sagging cheeks and jowls if crying leads to facial weight loss
– A distressed, stressed facial expression from emotions that trigger crying
However, while these factors associated with frequent tearfulness may make someone appear older, there is little scientific evidence demonstrating that crying accelerates the aging process or directly causes someone to look significantly older than their age.
The amount of facial wrinkling and “agedness” someone displays has more to do with intrinsic skin aging, sun damage, muscle contractions from all expressions, and overall health and lifestyle factors. Someone who cries frequently but practices good skincare, avoids sun exposure, eats healthy, exercises, manages stress and gets adequate sleep may very well look youthful and vibrant for their age.
So while frequent crying may contribute to an older appearance in some ways, the direct aging effects should not be overstated. With proper skin care and a healthy lifestyle, it is certainly possible to maintain a refreshed, lively appearance even if you do cry regularly. Crying alone will likely not transform someone’s looks from youthful to significantly aged.
Can you reverse wrinkles from crying?
If crying has led to the development of wrinkles or made existing wrinkles more noticeable, is it possible to reverse the wrinkling effects of tears through skincare or cosmetic treatments?
Unfortunately, wrinkles cannot be completely erased once formed. But there are options to help smooth their appearance and potentially prevent new ones from crying:
Topical retinoids – Retinoids increase collagen production and cell turnover to plump skin and reduce fine lines. They may help mitigate wrinkles from crying.
Peptide creams – Peptides act as signaling molecules to stimulate collagen. Applied topically, they can reduce wrinkle depth.
Hyaluronic acid – Hyaluronic acid binds moisture to the skin. It hydrates skin and slightly plumps wrinkles.
Antioxidant serums – Antioxidants like vitamin C protect against free radical damage that worsens wrinkles.
Moisturizers with SPF – Broad spectrum sunscreen prevents additional sun damage to wrinkled skin.
Botox – Botox paralyzes facial muscles to smooth dynamic wrinkles from repetitive expressions.
Dermal fillers – Fillers like Juvederm add volume under wrinkles to plump them out.
Microneedling – Microneedling with radiofrequency heats skin to stimulate collagen and smooth wrinkles.
Laser resurfacing – Laser light removes damaged outer skin layers to reveal newer skin and reduce wrinkle depth.
Chemical peels – Chemical peels exfoliate and remove wrinkled outer skin to improve skin texture.
A combination of skin treatments and cosmetic procedures may help soften the appearance of wrinkles. But wrinkles cannot be removed completely once etched into the skin. The best approach is prevention through sun protection, hydration and anti-aging skincare starting at a young age.
Coping with wrinkles from crying
While frequent crying may worsen wrinkles for some people, the emotional release and benefits of crying likely outweigh any potential cosmetic effects on the face. If crying has led to pronounced wrinkles or an aged appearance, there are some healthy ways to cope:
– Focus on total mind and body wellness rather than just wrinkles. Maintain proper nutrition, physical activity, sleep and stress relief.
– Understand that wrinkles are a natural part of life and do not define you. Do not judge yourself harshly.
– Avoid excessive magnifying mirrors so you do not fixate on wrinkles.
– Smile more to develop smile lines that diminish the sad lines associated with crying.
– Use cosmetic procedures judiciously if they will improve your self-image, but avoid perfectionism.
– Adopt self-care practices like meditation, yoga and therapy to develop self-acceptance.
– Embrace your emotions and continue to cry when needed for emotional release.
– Use photography, art or journaling to gain a more holistic perspective on your appearance.
– Surround yourself with positive people who boost your self-worth.
With a healthy mindset and smart skincare, wrinkles from crying or other causes do not have to be a source of distress. Even with visible wrinkling, you can exude joy, confidence and beauty at any age.
Does crying shrink pores?
Some people believe that crying helps “clean out” your pores or even shrinks enlarged pores on the face. Is there any validity to this idea that crying can help with pore size?
The primary ways that crying could potentially impact pores:
– Hydration – Crying dehydrates skin since tears evaporating from skin’s surface draws water out. Dehydrated skin shows pores more.
– Oil production – Emotional crying triggered by sadness, pain, or stress releases stress hormones that reduce oil (sebum) production. Less sebum makes pores appear smaller temporarily.
– Cleansing effect – Tears help rinse away dirt, oil, and skin cell debris that can clog pores and make them appear larger.
– Redness – The localized inflammation of crying can redden skin around the eyes and nostrils, making pores harder to discern.
However, these effects are very temporary. There is no evidence that crying permanently shrinks enlarged pores or improves pore size in any lasting way. Pore size is determined by genetics, sebum production, dead skin buildup, and skin elasticity. Crying does not alter any of those factors over the long-term.
Any pore “shrinking” effects from crying are likely just short-term optical illusions related to temporary dehydration and reduced oil production while actually crying. Once the skin rehydrates and sebum production increases again, pore appearance will return to normal.
So while crying may make pores look smaller for a brief period, it will not lead to any permanent changes in pore size or improve clogged pores. Crying should not replace proper skin cleansing, exfoliation, and care for issues like large pores or blackheads. Any benefits are modest and fleeting.
Conclusion
Frequent crying may potentially worsen wrinkles and contribute to an aged appearance due to facial musculature effects and dehydration from tears. But stronger evidence through direct scientific research is still needed. Wrinkling and aging depend on many factors beyond just crying. With proper skincare and healthy lifestyle habits, it is certainly possible to maintain a youthful, vibrant appearance even if you cry regularly. While crying may not improve pore size, its psychological and emotional benefits far outweigh any potential cosmetic effects on the face. If you need to cry to release emotions, do not hold back worrying about wrinkles. With self-care and self-acceptance, you can maintain natural beauty and confidence at any age regardless of crying frequency.