Picture: Getty Images/Tempura
From silk pillowcases to collagen supplements, there’s no shortage of anti-ageing advice circulating online. One of the latest beauty debates centres on whether drinking through a straw can cause wrinkles around the mouth, leaving many wondering if it’s time to ditch the habit altogether.
According to Aesthetic Medicine SA, recent search analysis reveals an increase in searches for the “side straw” beauty hack, amid growing concerns about daily habits contributing to lip lines and signs of ageing.
Also see: Signs your body is ageing faster than it should
So, can drinking through a straw really cause ageing? The short answer is that drinking through a straw alone is unlikely to be a significant cause of skin ageing, but repeated facial movements can play a small role over time.
Kate Monteith-Ross, Founder and clinical director of The Clinic by La Ross, cautions against becoming overly fixated on a single habit as ageing is multifactorial, and should be treated as such.
Why do lip lines develop?
Fine lines around the mouth, often called “smoker’s lines” or perioral wrinkles, develop for several reasons. Ageing naturally reduces collagen and elastin – the proteins responsible for keeping skin firm and supple. Sun exposure, genetics, smoking, dehydration and lifestyle habits also contribute to the formation of wrinkles.
When you sip through a straw, you purse your lips, creating repeated muscle movements. Some dermatologists believe that making the same facial expression repeatedly over many years may contribute to dynamic lines, much like squinting can lead to crow’s feet. However, there is limited scientific evidence showing that occasional straw use alone causes noticeable wrinkles.
Also see: Hand-care routine for ageing hands
Should you stop using straws?
For most people, the answer is no. Straws can actually offer benefits, particularly for people recovering from dental procedures, those with mobility challenges or anyone trying to reduce contact between acidic drinks and their teeth.
Instead of avoiding straws entirely, skincare experts recommend focusing on the factors that have a far greater impact on skin ageing. Daily sunscreen, avoiding smoking, eating a balanced diet, staying hydrated and following a consistent skincare routine with ingredients such as retinoids and antioxidants will do far more for your skin than giving up your reusable straw.
The bottom line
While repeated lip movements may contribute slightly to fine lines over decades, drinking through a straw is not considered a major cause of premature ageing. If your goal is healthier, younger-looking skin, protecting it from the sun and maintaining healthy lifestyle habits will make a much bigger difference than how you sip your favourite drink.
Also see: Makeup habits that could be ageing your skin
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