Wrinkles are a natural part of aging. Unfortunately, we can’t make time stand still. However, knowing the top causes of wrinkles can help you alter your lifestyle to reduce the signs of maturing skin.
- Aging: As you get older your skin’s elastin and collagen are dramatically reduced. Natural oils that were once produced in abundance during your youth are depleted. The fat layer beneath your skin starts to disappear which causes sagging and folds to develop.
- Ultraviolet Light (UV): Ultraviolet radiation dramatically accelerates the aging process. The sun’s UV light destroys the skin’s elastin fibers and depletes its collagen. With frequent UV exposure, your skin starts to sag and develop wrinkles.
- Gender: Menopause causes women to experience far more wrinkles than their male counterparts. Due to reduced estrogen, postmenopausal skin starts to sag and develop fine lines. Sagging is more pronounced around the jawline, neck, and cheeks. After menopause, many women start to exhibit crow’s feet around the eyes and wrinkles on the upper lip.
- Smoking: Smoking is believed to interfere with the blood supply in your face. This can cause early creases in the skin to develop. Also, the continued action of sucking on the cigarette makes lines around the mouth.
- Facial Expressions: Repeated facial expressions and movements all contribute to wrinkling. Simple actions such as squinting and smiling cause grooves to form on the skin. As you age, your skin loses its flexibility so the creases remain and become permanent.
Three Ways to Prevent Facial Wrinkles
Everyone develops lines but you can combat wrinkling. Here are a few ideas to help you battle the aging process:
- Sunscreen: Your skin should always be protected from damaging UV light. Many people mistakenly believe they are protected indoors but UV light can penetrate windows. UV light is a year-round threat. Overcast days and winter months are also not safe. As part of your daily routine, you should apply a sunscreen to all areas of exposed skin. Sunscreen typically needs to be reapplied every two hours, especially at locations like the beach. Many products, such as foundations, have built-in sunscreens. Ideally, you should wear a broad spectrum sunscreen anytime you are in sunlight with an SPF of 30 or higher. You can also wear protective clothing such as long sleeves, a hat, long pants, and sunglasses. Staying out of the sun and wearing a sunscreen are all important actions that you can take to protect your skin from UV light.
- Healthy Diet: Many vitamins play a key role in skin health. A healthy diet should contain abundant fresh fruits and vegetables. Tomatoes, berries, salmon, Atlantic mackerel, sardines, honey, nuts, and avocados have all been shown to supply essential nutrients to the skin.
- Moisturizers: When skin cells dry out they start to shrivel. Plumping up the skin cells with a good moisturizer helps reduce the appearance of fine lines.
Nowadays, there are numerous highly successful cosmetic procedures that can eliminate or reduce the appearance of wrinkles. Anti-wrinkle injections and dermal fillers are a cost-efficient way to rejuvenate your skin for a more youthful appearance. Facial muscle relaxants are a non-surgical method used to prevent facial creases and reduce the appearance of existing lines. With the bevy of cosmetic options such as medications, fillers, injectables, skin-resurfacing, and surgery you can create a younger, more vibrant you.
At the Laser Skin & Vein Clinic, we know how to prevent and reduce the signs of aging. Please contact us to schedule a free consultation with one of your skilled nurses to learn about your many options.
