Resting Bitch Face (RBF)

 

The face is a mirror of the soul, as Cicero once said. In childhood, we were often warned when making faces, "If you keep doing that, you'll get stuck like that!" Indeed, frequently expressing certain emotions creates conditions for forming static wrinkles where dynamic ones used to be. As a result, even a completely neutral face may carry a permanent emotional imprint. This same emotional trace can form as the face ages. After all, expressions of happiness are associated with the contraction of muscles that lift and expand, while sadness involves muscles that pull down (depressors). With age, the corners of our mouths droop, making it seem as though we are displeased.

 

 

 

This can affect how others perceive and evaluate us, often leading to misunderstandings. Moreover, facial expressions, much like slumped posture, can prime our thoughts in certain directions. For example, try to notice the difference in feelings when you hold a pencil horizontally between your teeth (similar to a smile) versus holding it by the tip (similar to tension).

 

In one study, scientists focused on expressions of contempt, anger, and dissatisfaction in some people at rest. This phenomenon has even been given the name "Resting Bitch Face" (RBF) in both men and women. Scientists use this term in their research as well. We may perceive others as expressing contempt or dissatisfaction, even if they feel neutral. According to some opinions, RBF is primarily a result of suppressed or even self-hidden emotions. If you feel fine or neutral but are asked, "Why are you angry?" or "Is something wrong? Did I say something you didn’t like?" or "Why aren't you smiling?" — you probably have RBF at that moment. You can check your photo (resting emotions) for Resting Bitch Face here: https://www.testrbf.com. Of course, in certain situations, RBF can serve as an excellent defense against unnecessary interactions, but if used too often, it may imprint on your face.

 

1. Learn to relax your face. 

 

Naturally, it's psychologically more pleasant to be in an environment where people have relaxed faces. It helps me relax as well. So, what can you do to avoid a permanent look of dissatisfaction on your face? Start by learning to relax your facial muscles and become aware of tension. Look at people with respect. A half-smile or slight smile is great. Raise your eyebrows when greeting someone. Pressing your tongue lightly against the roof of your mouth also helps relax facial muscles. Of course, cosmetic procedures and corrections can also be helpful.

 

2. Still face as emotional suppression. 

 

A frozen facial expression can be a form of adaptation to an unfavorable environment where spontaneous emotional reactions are condemned. For example, an expression of disgust towards a dictator’s statue could have cost people their lives. Additionally, in some Eastern cultures, a spontaneous emotional reaction may be disapproved of as a loss of self-control.

However, a lively, animated face is one of the most underrated attractiveness secrets. When you can show a genuine, engaged reaction, you become more understandable and attractive. There’s a simple way to check the "understandability" of your face—take selfies of yourself expressing different emotions and ask others to identify what you're expressing.

 

3. Smartphones and the frozen face. 

 

Prolonged use of smartphones by preschool children increases the risk of a "frozen face"—when no feedback occurs between the person and the phone, and emotional learning is impaired. It’s harmful to adults, too, when they look at their phone during conversations—this degrades the quality of communication and devalues it. A well-known experiment from 1978, the "Still-Face Experiment," shows how negatively a parent’s expressionless face can affect child development.

 

 

NB. Botox has a significant side effect in decreasind depression. It is thought that the effect of the botulinum toxin A in preventing people from frowning actually makes them happier .