• Question: Which expression uses most muscles in our face

    Asked by niobium555 to Anna, Chris, Jane, Iain, Nick on 18 Mar 2014.
    • Photo: Anna Middleton

      Anna Middleton answered on 18 Mar 2014:

      Hi niolium555
      I think the answer is our smile, but the people who would know this would be facial surgeons (oh, and probably dentists!)

    • Photo: Jane Charlesworth

      Jane Charlesworth answered on 18 Mar 2014:

      I’ve heard people say it takes more muscles to frown than to smile, but I’m not sure that’s true or whether people just say it to make people smile more. Also, different people look different when they smile, so I reckon the same expression uses different muscles when two different people make it.

Comments

  • Photo: Anna

    Anna commented on :

    Yes, I think Jane is right, its harder to frown than smile. I’m now just wondering about a surprised look (not possible for all those celebs who’ve had botox!) as that uses a lot of muscles. I’ll ask my dentist next time I see her….