Everyone ages differently. Various environmental and hereditary factors determine how the skin ages. Decreased collagen and elastin are the major contributing factors. Lack of flexibility in the skin causes wrinkling and skin folds. Depending on the type of wrinkles, various treatment options can help reverse signs of aging. But the best wrinkle treatment is to prevent them before they occur.
Types of Wrinkles
There are three basic types of wrinkles: expression lines, skin folds and deep wrinkles. Expression lines are those fine lines that appear around the eyes. Deep wrinkles are the furrows between the eyebrows, in the forehead and around the lip area. The naso-labial folds are the deep creases at the sides of the nose that are caused by decreased collagen, elastin, hyaluronic acid and fat stores in the skin, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.
Causes Of Wrinkles
The biggest cause of wrinkles is natural aging. Collagen is the protein responsible for supporting the upper layer of skin. As we age, glucose binds to collagen, causing it to lose flexibility and suppleness, according to the National Institute on Aging. The protein elastin that is responsible for keeping the skin elastic is also reduced as we age. The combination of the two is what gives the skin that firm, wrinkle-free look.
Smoking causes wrinkles over time by breaking down collagen and elastin. Too much sun exposure causes photoaging by damaging collagen and elasin. Melanocytes, a type of skin cell, are killed in photoaging and show up as freckles in fair-skinned people. This is why people who suntan year after year look older than people who avoid excessive exposure to the sun.
Wrinkle Treatments
Wrinkle treatments vary, depending on the type of wrinkles. Prescription topical medications such as retinoids have shown positive results in reducing fine lines, wrinkles, pigmentation problems and roughness, according to the Mayo Clinic. Over-the-counter wrinkle products containing vitamin C, E, coenzyme Q10, copper peptides, alpha hydroxy acids and other anti-oxidants show modest improvements in wrinkles.
Other wrinkle treatments available through a dermatologist include skin peels, injectable fillers, dermabrasion, laser resurfacing and facelifts.
Anti-Wrinkle Regimen
Taking care of your skin with proper cleansing and moisturizing will go a long way in reducing the appearance of wrinkles. Cleanse the skin morning and evenings to remove impurities that clog pores and reduce the natural functioning of the skin. Follow with a moisturizer that contains a proven anti-wrinkle ingredient. Moisture keeps the skin plump, reducing the appearance of fine lines.
Prevention
A little prevention goes a long way with skin products. Use sunblock religiously to protect the skin against the damaging rays of the sun. The National Institute on Aging notes "sunlight damages skin in ways that seem similar to aging." Using moisturizers with sunblock, wearing protective clothing and avoiding excessive sun exposure will protect your skin and help maintain a youthful look. Do not smoke. This will improve the appearance and tone of your skin, according to the Mayo Clinic.
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