As you get older, there's no escaping wrinkles. While you can't turn back the clock, you can put off wrinkles for years by altering your diet, practicing sun safety and making a few lifestyle changes, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. These methods are cheaper and a lot less painful than cosmetic surgery.
Step 1
Practice sun safety daily. Apply a PABA-free sunscreen with at least 15 SPF to your skin 30 minutes before going outdoors, advises the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The sun's rays can damage unprotected skin in as little as 15 minutes.
Step 2
Take sunscreen with you when you leave the house. In most cases, sun damage occurs when you've been outdoors for longer than intended, states the CDC. Reapply sunscreen throughout the day, especially if you get wet or you're perspiring a lot.
Step 3
Choose a sunscreen that works for you, advises the CDC; you'll be more likely to use it. They come in formulas such as creams, gels or sprays.
Step 4
Eat about two cups of fruit and 2 ½ cups of vegetables each day. These foods are loaded with antioxidants, which fight free radicals that promote aging and cause skin to wrinkle.
Step 5
Moisturize daily to prevent dryness, which makes your skin more susceptible to wrinkles. Wash your face and pat dry, leaving it slightly damp. Apply a moisturizer immediately afterward. Reapply moisturizer throughout the day if necessary.
Step 6
Use an anti-aging topical cream, gel or serum daily. Tretinoin or Retin-A® is the only medication approved for treating sun-related aging, states the University of Maryland Medical Center. Vitamin E can help to improve wrinkle depth, and alpha hydroxy acids improve collagen and elastin in the skin, which helps to reduce wrinkles.
Step 7
Avoid sleeping on your side or on your stomach. When you sleep with your head buried into your pillow over a period of time, you're likely to develop wrinkles in areas such as your forehead or on your cheeks, states the AAD. Sleep on your back as much as possible.
Tips and Warnings
- Don't use facial exercises to prevent or reduce wrinkles, advises the AAD. Any repetitive facial motion make your skin more likely to wrinkle and develop lines. Eat both raw and cooked fruits and vegetables to get the most wrinkle-fighting benefits. Some antioxidants are more easily available when raw; for example, beta carotene found in foods such as carrots. Other antioxidants are best obtained when they're cooked, such as lycopene in tomatoes, states the University of Michigan Integrative Medicine.
- Watch for allergic reactions to any topical treatment you use for wrinkles. If you develop redness, itchiness, or a rash, discontinue use. If you're on a special diet for a medical condition, speak to your doctor before making any changes to it. You must wear sunscreen when using topical medications such as tretinoin that increase your skin's sensitivity to sunlight.
Things You'll Need
- Sunscreen
- Fruits
- Vegetables
- Moisturizers
- Tretinoin
- Vitamin E
- Alpha hydroxy acids
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