What Is A Wrinkle?
Fine lines and wrinkles are one my clients’ main areas of concern. The younger you start to address these normal signs of aging, the less you must worry about them as you get older.
But it’s never too late to slow down the signs of aging and improve the appearance of those bothersome lines. Here’s everything you need to know about wrinkles.
What are wrinkles anyway?
As we age, our skin becomes thinner and drier. It also loses its elasticity, and the fat deposits in our face decrease in volume and shift downward. Whenever we smile, frown or make other facial expressions, our skin is no longer able to bounce back to its original shape like it did when we were young. This results in permanent lines and creases on the skin known as wrinkles.
What causes wrinkles?
Several factors affect the development of wrinkles:
- Sun exposure: The Environmental Protection Agency states that up to 90 percent of visible skin aging is due to sun exposure.
- Genetics: Hereditary factors plays a key role in the development of wrinkles, including when we first develop them and how many we get.
- Sugar: There is a huge body of research to show that sugar creates advanced glycation product (AGEs) when it enters our bloodstream. AGEs break down collagen and elastin, leading to dull, saggy, and wrinkled skin.
- Lifestyle factors: Smoking accelerates the aging process and alcohol dehydrates the skin, making it more prone to wrinkles.
How can you prevent and treat wrinkles?
It’s never too late to take steps to prevent the formation of new wrinkles. Try these methods:
- Wear sunscreen: When you are spending more than 30 minutes in the sun, it is important to use SPF. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends wearing one with an SPF 30 and I do not think you need to go much higher than that as the higher you go, the higher the risk of free radical damage. Remember to reapply every few hours.
- Keep Skin Cleansed, Toned and Moisturized: It is important to stick to a consistent routine that includes the basics.
- Cleanser clears away product build-up, makeup, and environmental impurities including pollutants and free radicals to prevent clogged pores.
- Toner rebalances skin and increases the efficacy of every product that follows.
- Moisturizer hydrates the skin, creating a plumping effect and diminishing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
CLEANSERS
Wonder Valley
Oil Cleanser
Forlle'd
Hyalogy Creamy Wash
TONERS
MOISTURIZERS
Augustinus Bader
The Rich Cream
Environ
Super Moisturiser
- Use Red LED Therapy: Red LED increases the production of collagen and elastin, thereby reducing the depth and appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and enlarged pores. It also stimulates blood flow, allowing more oxygen to the tissue, resulting in brighter, healthier complexion. Call 214-774-9027 to inquire about Celluma Pro - LED Therapy at home.
- Eat a healthy diet: Limit your sugar intake and eat plenty of fruit and vegetables. Two major studies found that people who ate diets high in foods containing vitamin C had fewer wrinkles and less photo-aging.
- Avoid smoking and excess alcohol: Smoking is one of the worst things you can do to dehydrate, toxify and prematurely age your skin. Alcohol is also dehydrating, and some alcoholic drinks contain a lot of sugar (or are blended with sugary mixers), which we know has negative effects on the skin. Less is better when it comes to alcohol.
Finally, I believe in aging gracefully and looking the best you can for your age, so don’t fret every fine line and wrinkle, they are markers of a life well lived.
