Most people naturally develop wrinkles as they age because, as skin ages, it loses some of its moisture, thickness and elasticity, according to the Mayo Clinic. If you’re genetically predisposed to wrinkles, you probably won’t be able to avoid getting them. However, some lifestyle choices you make in your youth can make a large impact on your appearance as you age. Following some simple skin care strategies in advance will help reduce your chances of developing some preventable wrinkles.
Step 1
Wear sunscreen and other skin shading gear. Ultraviolet radiation from the sun damages your skin’s supportive cells, collagen and elastin, according to Discovery Health. When these important cells are destroyed, your skin loses its flexibility and its strength, which leads to the formation of wrinkles. To make skin protection easier, purchase skin-care products that already have SPF 15 or higher built into them, recommends The Mayo Clinic.
Step 2
Sleep on your back only. If you spend too much time with your face mashed against your pillow, those sleep lines you wake up with each morning may turn into wrinkles, warns Discovery Health. You may struggle to prevent yourself from sleeping on your side or stomach, considering it’s often a subconscious habit, but you may be able to change the habit by consciously moving into the back-sleeping position any time you wake up during the night.
Step 3
Say no to cigarettes. Smoking narrows the blood vessels in your outer layers of skin and it damages your collagen and elastin, according to the Mayo Clinic. If you have already been smoking for a while, quitting now can reduce the severity of future wrinkles. According to Discovery Health, studies have found that the likelihood of premature wrinkling increases with cigarette consumption and the length of time a person has smoked.
Step 4
Moisturize your skin. Dry skin can shrivel skin cells and create fine lines and wrinkles in your face before you’re due for them, says the Mayo Clinic. When you apply a moisturizer, moisture is sealed onto your skin’s surface and your skin plumps up, which can temporarily mask the appearance of wrinkles, according to Discovery Health.
Step 5
Look in a mirror and make some of your typical facial expressions. If you commonly glare, crease your brow or frown, you may ultimately etch permanent lines and wrinkles into your face, says Discovery Health. By observing which muscles you use to make those faces, however, you may be able to catch yourself in the act throughout the day.
Things You'll Need
- Broad spectrum sunscreen, SPF 15 or higher
- Moisturizer
- Mirror
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