What Causes Wrinkles?
There are a variety of reasons for the wrinkles and fine lines that people develop as they get older, most of which are related to the way that skin behaves as individuals age. In particular, as time passes, skin loses its elasticity and becomes drier and collagen production decreases. Collagen essentially provides padding under the skin, and as collagen production slows down, skin begins to sag without its support.
Skin also loses its ability to repair damage as people age, which is why those who have spent their life smoking or exposing themselves to UV rays through tanning may see wrinkles sooner or with more prominence than others. There are also genetic factors that may play into how soon or late in life wrinkles and fine lines appear, but individuals can do a lot to reduce the appearance of aging skin through a variety of methods.
How Can Wrinkles Be Prevented?
Wrinkles will appear on everyone eventually, but a great deal can be done to delay their appearance. Skin care is a huge part of this, and it is a good idea to start dealing with fine lines before they show up. Some of the most basic preventative measures include avoiding UV rays, not smoking and ensuring that skin is hydrated. Repeated facial expressions can also contribute to the development of lines and creases, and squinting frequently due to a need for glasses or reading glasses can contribute to crows feet.
UV rays and smoking are both detrimental to skin, and the more damaged that skin is, the more obvious creases and folds in skin will be. Plump, healthy and hydrated skin reduces the appearance of aging, even if lines are developing. Having moisturized skin will not delay the onset of wrinkles, but it can keep them from being visible without close inspection.
What Are The Ways To Minimize The Appearance Of Wrinkles And Fine Lines?
Once crows feet and wrinkles show up, there's really no turning back the clock outside of with surgical procedures. However, reducing how visible they are is possible. The most effective ways of masking imperfections include improving collagen production,microdermabrasion and increasing the plumpness and hydration of the skin. This can be achieved through over the counter products, medically prescribed drugs, outpatient procedures or a combination of the three.
There are an enormous variety of over the counter products that promise to reduce signs of aging and wrinkles, and the most effective are those that contain Retinol, Vitamin C, Hydroxy acids, Coenzyme Q10 and Niacinamide. Retinol and Vitamin C are both known to improve and protect collagen, and Retinol has been shown to improve the elasticity of skin and is available in stronger concentrations with a prescription. Hydroxy acids can eliminate the top layer of skin cells, which can lead to reduction in the appearance of wrinkles, especially around the eyes. Coenzyme Q10 and Niacinamide are both anti-oxidants, and they are known for improving the condition of damaged skin as well as reducing water loss.
For the most dramatic results, people can choose to go with a medical procedure, and they range from minimally invasive to outpatient surgeries. The most common treatments performed by doctors and estheticians are Botox injections, wrinkle fillers, resurfacing, chemical peels and dermabrasion. Botox injections and fillers are the most temporary of solutions, but they tend to have the most visible results. Botox works by forcing facial muscles to relax, preventing the skin from creasing, and fillers replace lost collagen and minimize the appearance of sagging and wrinkled skin.
Resurfacing, peels and dermabrasion all work to remove the top layer of skin. This not only eliminates rough and dry surface skin, it also tends to make the body respond to what it perceives as damage by increasing collagen production. The immediate results are brighter and more hydrated looking skin, and the long-term effects are a reduction in sagging and creases.
There are some over the counter chemical peels and microdermabrasion products available, but they are usually not as effective as having a treatment performed by a professional. This is due to the fact that the strength of the chemicals that medical professionals use are not available over the counter, so the products are generally diluted.
