How to Get Rid of RBF
- Posted on: Nov 16 2023
When was the last time someone told you, “You’re much prettier when you smile”?
Are you always being asked if you’re OK, even if you’re relaxing and enjoying yourself?
It’s harsh. Unnecessary, even. One instance can be enough to hit your self-esteem, as the term itself sends a derogatory message while still presenting an accurate picture of facial expression perceptions.
If this sounds like you, you’re likely one of the many people who have a “resting bitch face.” People with RBF live with frustrating questions, looks, and concerns about how they come off to others. This is not a matter of being a people-pleaser or even well-liked; it’s a matter of your outward appearance matching your internal emotional state.
Identifying Whether You Have RBF
Some people with downturned mouth corners, persistent frowns, and squinting eyes are already all too familiar with how your facial expression doesn’t match your internal emotional state. And for many, it might not be RBF but a ‘resting sad face’ or a bored expression.
These characteristics have nothing to do with whether you’re a people-pleaser, outspoken or quiet, or how well you are liked. It’s all about facial features sending the wrong message.
The Effects of Age & Sun Damage on Your Skin
For many, the signs of looking sad or angry when you do not often worsen with age and sun damage. Our body’s collagen slows down as we age, starting as early as the mid-to-late twenties. This leads to a loss of skin elasticity, wrinkling the skin, and causing sagging with time.
Photoaging is when your skin ages prematurely from ongoing sun exposure (UVA and UVB radiation). Treatment options to repair age- and sun-damaged skin include:
- Chemical Peels
- Laser Skin Resurfacing
- Dermabrasion
- Botox & Dysport
- Juvéderm Filler
- Retinoids
With age, the bony anatomy of the face also changes, causing some features to turn slightly inward. What turns inward beneath the surface turns downward on it, hence the angry-looking mouth. Let’s look at the different types of solutions for reversing the signs of aging and, specifically, getting rid of that pesky RBF.
Fix a Downturned Mouth with DAO Botox
If you’re constantly telling everyone else that ‘you’re not mad; that’s just how your face looks,’ you’re not alone by any means. Being known as someone with RBF can negatively affect your quality of life simply based on other people’s perceptions of you. But it doesn’t need to be that way.
We might be coming out of Botox month in October, but every day is a day to celebrate neuromodulators when they can be so transformational in our lives. And if you have the classic RBF, Botox (with the right provider) might become your BFF. Specifically, Botox injections to the Depressor Anguli Oris (DAO) muscle are attached to the corners of the mouth and lower jaw.
What is Botox? Is it Safe?
Botox is one of the most understood and commonly performed injections in medical spas. However, patients don’t always realize what Botox is since the protein derivative Botulinum Toxin sounds intimidating. This toxin is a neuromodulator that relaxes the muscles when it goes under the muscle tissue, causing the skin to smooth out and making wrinkles less noticeable.
More than 470 clinical studies show this anti-aging treatment is safe and works well. Of course, the safety of treatment and results you get depend on your provider’s skill level. Since Botox is a technique-sensitive procedure, it is imperative to select a reputable provider to get the most natural-looking and long-lasting results. On average, you can expect Botox effects to last for 3-5 months.
How DAO Botox Helps Sad Smiles
The DAO muscle works with your lip, jaw, and neck muscles and is often responsible for a downturned mouth that makes you look like you have a sad smile. It’s prevalent for the DAO muscle to weaken with age, causing what may have occasionally been RBF to now become a perpetual frown.
This muscle also contracts the older we get, causing marionette lines to deepen, and eventually, gravity can pull the muscles down enough to create jowls. Botox injections freeze this muscle movement, helping to stop the contractions and reverse the signs of aging associated with the mouth area. Of course, how many Botox units you’ll need will depend on your existing concerns and goals. Our team is happy to meet with you and create a customized plan for your needs during a complimentary consultation.
How Can I Fix RBF Naturally?
One easy solution comes from The Smile Theory.
Let’s run a quick experiment. Think about smiling for a second.
Did you smile?
Sometimes, the smallest act of thinking about smiling is enough to make you smile. Even if you don’t physically smile, your face starts to lift as you think about it. This essentially helps reverse the slight downturn of your mouth, brightening your face in seconds.
Another way to address a naturally sad, bored, or angry expression is to look up at someone when you’re speaking with them. This helps to open your facial expression. You can also practice engaging your cheeks more when you talk or smile to bring your features upward. It’s a very short-term solution, but eventually, you’ll build a habit of lifting your features ever so slightly.
Of course, you should remember that it’s not up to anyone else to dictate how you look or come across to others. Anything that you choose should be for yourself, not for other people. You can always embrace your expressions!
Give the Right Impression with Botox in the Denver Area
If you think that you have RBF, Botox can help. One of the best things about this treatment is that it is suitable for most adults of all ages. People in their 20s often get injections as a preventative measure. Yes, Botox can stop wrinkles from forming!
Those in their 30s or older get Botox to smooth out fine lines, creases, and wrinkles that form from years of facial expressions. It is transformational in re-aligning your expressions with your feelings.
Always Beautiful is a leading provider of Botox injections in Aurora and Denver, Colorado. We dedicate our time to helping our clients reach their goals, from looking younger to feeling more confident. Our specialty is cosmetic injections like Botox, so you can expect a safe procedure and stunning results.
Call us at (720) 280-7016 to schedule your free consultation today and learn how Botox can refresh your appearance.
Meet Ali McCoy Stengel, LE, RN, BSN
Denver Area Aesthetic Injector, Speaker, and Trainer
My name is Ali and I am the founder, owner, and Master Nurse Injector at Always Beautiful® Medspa. I have been in medicine since 2002, although my passion for facial aesthetics began much earlier. Growing up with acne and self-esteem issues, it became my mission to help others feel comfortable in their skin. Bringing beauty and medicine together became the ultimate pairing to educate the patient, staff, and injector for a safe experience and natural results.
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