Skin Wrinkles and Anti-Aging
Although wrinkles are associated with wisdom and experienced, most people would rather not have them.
Wrinkles mostly appear as the part of aging process, but are much more pronounced where there has been sun exposure. Changes due to sun damage include dryness, rough skin, sagginess, and wrinkles.
Counting Skin Wrinkles
Wrinkles are of different types:
Facial Wrinkles – due to aging, facial wrinkles are more pronounced because our skin gets thinner and show mostly under the eyes and around the lips.
Forehead Wrinkles – typically, forehead wrinkles are due to repeated movement of the forehead due to expression.
Eye Wrinkles – the thinnest skin we have is around our eyes, making under eye wrinkles the area that’s most influenced by the aging process. These wrinkles are also known as crows feet.
Neck Wrinkles – exposure to the sun’s damaging UV rays is the leading reason of neck wrinkles, by causing a weakening of the supporting tissues in the neck.
Lip Wrinkles – range from small verticle lines above the upper lip to droopy lines on the sides on the mouth, also known as laugh lines, and frown lines.
How to Prevent Wrinkles
Does your skin look older than you feel? Whether you’re just beginning to see the first signs of wrinkles or you’ve been seeing them for a while, looking for ways to reduce or prevent wrinkles is probably why you’re here.
Robin Ashinoff, MD is a dermatologist at Hackensack University Medical Center in New Jersey and says with the technologies and information we have today, it is possible to look as young as you feel. Depending on the condition of your skin, here are ways to reduce and prevent wrinkles.
1. Avoid the sun – It’s the No. 1 cause of wrinkles.
2. Don’t smoke – Cigarette smoke releases an enzyme that breaks down collagen and elastin which are the building blocks of our skin.
3. Wear sunscreen – Going out in the sun is not always preventable, but wearing sunscreen will protect you from skin cancer while helping to prevent wrinkles at the same time.
4. Adequate sleep – Without enough sleep, the body producess excess cortisol, a hormone that breaks down skin cells. Adequate rest produces more HGH (human growth hormone), which helps skin remain more elastic.
5. Eat more fruits and vegetables – Fruits and vegetables provide antioxidants which fight damage caused by free radicals.
6. Don’t over wash your face – Dermatologists at the University of Maryland Medical Center state that tap water strips natural oils that protect the skin against wrinkles. Use a cleanser instead of soap, as soaps have harsh abrasives.
7. Use moisturizer – Don’t overlook the power of a wrinkle reducing moisturizer, even oily skin needs moisture. Moist skin simply looks better and allows lines and wrinkles to be far less noticeable.
Wrinkle Remedies – Topical Treatments That Reduce Wrinkles
Clinical studies show the following ingredients can reduce wrinkles and promote skin tightening.
Retinoids – Retin A. Retin A, also known as Retinol is a natural form of Vitamin A which repairs sun damage, and reduces fine lines and large wrinkles.
Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs). These natural fruit acids remove the dead skin cells from the top layer of skin and reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. New evidence show that they help stimulate the production of collagen.
Peptides. Peptides increase collagen production, especially in sun damaged skin, and when applied topically, lines and wrinkles are diminished.
Wrinkles are a part of our life and no matter what measure we undertake to prevent them they always catch up with us in the aging process with a vengeance. Your lifestyle is what will dictate your skin texture, treat your skin well.
