The Science Of Smiling

The Mona Lisa Smirk. The Tyra Banks Smize. The Say Cheese Grin. One Facial Expression, Countless Subliminal Messages. Loren Savini Explores The Emotional And Physical Power Of The Human Smile.

- Loren Savini

Resting bitch face—that stern, stony mouthed phenomenon—peaked culturally around three years ago. Scientists acknowledged its existence, think pieces in The New York Times followed, and memes circulated with the claim: “Smiling Gives You Wrinkles. Resting Bitch Face Keeps You Pretty.” The latter bit is ironic, considering that the majority of research up to that point suggested that smiling makes a person look three years younger. But now the smile seems to be having a resurgence. A raft of new research points to its potential benefits: lower stress levels and heart rates, increased immunity, even exercise sessions that seem less strenuous. And dermatologists agree that everyone needs to take a fistful of chill pills over eliminating their smile lines, aka crow’s-feet. But there are still some wrinkles in our common wisdom around this gesture. So let’s separate fact from fiction, shall we?

SMILING DOESN’T CAUSE WRINKLES.