A New Wrinkle...on wrinkles!

In the Spring issue of "Love In Santa Fe" Magazine," Lillian Bridges gave me a wonderfully uplifting new point of view about wrinkles. When my Chinese medicine doctor greets me before a session of acupuncture, she has various little diagnostic techniques that has been used for centuries. She checks the pulse points, the whites of the eyes, the tongue. I had not realized, however, that she is also reading my face.

As writers, we often refer to the light in a character's eyes. A smile that did not reach the eyes. A twinkle of mischief in the eyes. These are not just poetic phrases. In ancient Chinese Medicine, this light is called "Shen" which depicts the primary emotions of anger, excitement, grief, worry and fear.

Startled with fear, our character would instinctively widen her eyes. Emotionally, if not physically, she pulls inward as the eyes darken.

Angered, our character's gaze intensifies with energy that is focused outward in aggression. "Sending the evil eye" or "Throwing daggers" aptly applies.

While emotions are neither good nor bad, the Chinese view the over-abundance of emotional response as a hindrance to good health. It's perfectly natural to worry, but not to the point of physically damaging our stomachs with ulcers.

And, believe it or not, damaging our faces in the process!

Wrinkles are caused by repeatedly exercising those particular muscles. Just as the cuts and curves of "ripped abs" or a "six pack" comes from exercising the abdominal muscles, the facial muscles develop over years of reps.

We've all heard of "laugh lines" around the mouth and eyes. There is truth to this term. In face reading, these are called "joy lines" that evolve from smiling and laughing. They show that the person has a good sense of humor. A smile that "reaches the eyes" has actually been classified by scientists as the "Duchenne's smile," a specific muscle movement that has been found to release endorphins, the natural chemical in the body that alleviates pain. Haven't you heard about the chemo patients who are advised to watch funny movies to lift their spirits and help with the pain?

The vertical lines above the bridge of the nose that are often referred to as "furrowed brows" when a character is frowning -- these are lines of annoyance or impatience, but also depict excessive concentration. If you have ever known anyone who has had botox injections to lessen these lines, you may also notice that the paralysis of these muscles (so the lines are not as noticeable) interferes with the ability to show their own natural range of emotional reactions. Too much use of botox can make a person appear indifferent in an otherwise animated conversation.

My favorite part of the article explained the set of lines between the nose and mouth are "purpose lines." As Lillian Bridges writes, "These are considered very positive lines because having them means you have a life purpose. They are not expected to be strong until you reach mid life. So if you have them before that, consider yourself to be on track."

Wow, what great news! Here I have been bemoaning these multiple --and very deep!-- lines that have been showing up in my photographs these past five years. I have even tried to not smile in pictures so they wouldn't be noticeable. How great to find out that the Chinese have a whole different and positive perspective!


To read the full article, go to Face Reading by Lillian Bridges at the Love In Santa Fe website. You can also learn more about Lillian at her own website for The Lotus Institute, Inc. http://www.lotusinstitute.com/