Combat wrinkles and achieve smoother skin.
Wrinkles are often caused by aging of the skin, which is inevitable. This natural process can be accelerated by factors such as genetic influences, sun exposure and smoking. Wrinkles usually appear on areas that have received the most sun exposure, including the face, neck, the backs of the hands and the tops of the forearms. Wrinkle treatments may reduce the appearance of fine lines, but deeper wrinkles may require more aggressive methods, such as chemical peels and face lifts.
Instructions
1. Stop smoking. Smoking accelerates aging and may cause premature sagging and wrinkling of the skin. Smoking makes the blood vessels in the outer layers of your skin narrower. It also damages collagen and elastin, which give strength and elasticity to skin.
2. Apply sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15 every day. Sun exposure is a major cause of skin aging, which leads to wrinkles. Avoid sun exposure when possible and wear protective clothes and hats. When you purchase skin care products, choose those with built-in sunscreen to enhance sun protection.
3. Use moisturizers frequently to prevent dry skin, which can shrivel your skin cells and create wrinkles.
4. Apply anti-wrinkle products on the affected areas. The way the product improves your skin depends on the active ingredient in it. Retinol has antioxidants that neutralize the free radicals that damage skin cells and cause wrinkles. Hydroxy acids remove the upper layers of skin and stimulate the growth of smoother skin. Coenzyme Q10 regulates energy production in cells. Copper peptides improve your healing process, stimulate collagen production and intensify the effects of antioxidants. Kinetin retains moisture in the skin and stimulates collagen production. Tea extracts contain antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds. Anti-wrinkle creams and lotions are classified as cosmetics, so they are not evaluated for effectiveness by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and may not produce the results you want.
5. Eat foods that contain antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds. These include blueberries, omega-3 eggs, tomatoes, fish oils and sunflower seeds.
6. Consult a doctor to discuss more aggressive measures if your wrinkles run deep. There are many procedures that you can undergo to combat wrinkles. Chemical peels, dermabrasion, laser resurfacing and microdermabrasion exfoliate upper layers of skin and uncover the smooth skin underneath. Non-ablative laser resurfacing stimulates the production of collagen without removing the epidermis. Botox injections paralyze muscles that create the wrinkles. Filler injections increase the volume of skin and flatten wrinkles. Surgical procedures such as face lifts may also be discussed with your doctor.
