Wrinkles and sagging are more likely as you age and your skin becomes thinner and loses its elasticity. Production of less oil makes skin drier and more susceptible to wrinkles; less fat in your skin makes it loose and saggy, explains MayoClinic.com. Lifestyle changes can help your skin age more gracefully. Also a variety of skin products and cosmetic procedures that can help prevent and improve wrinkles and sagging.
Premature Aging
It's not just getting older that causes your skin to develop wrinkles and sag. The primary cause of premature skin aging is excessive exposure to the sun, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. The sun's ultraviolet rays break down collagen and elastin in the skin---substances that give your skin its structure and elasticity---and cause problems such as wrinkles, age spots, lines and sagging. Sleeping with your face buried in your pillow and smoking also causes wrinkles.
Sun Protection
Your first step in protecting your skin from wrinkles and sagging is to wear sunscreen whenever you go outdoors. Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen, which means it protects you from UVA and UVB rays, and apply it at least 20 minutes before going outdoors. You should also reapply sunscreen if you sweat a lot, or become wet when you're outdoors, for instance, if you go swimming.
Moisturizing
As MayoClinic.com explains, when your skin is dry it causes plump skin cells to shrivel, which speeds up the development of fine lines and wrinkles. For your moisturizer to prevent or improve wrinkles and sagging, it should contain anti-aging ingredients such as co-enzyme Q10 or retinol. Co-enzyme Q10 improves wrinkles and protects your skin from sun damage, and retinol is a potent antioxidant that fights free radicals that attack skin cells and cause wrinkles, notes MayoClinic.com.
Cosmetic Procedures
A facelift is no longer the only option for sagging, wrinkled skin when skin care products and sun protection aren't as effective as you'd like. Several cosmetic procedures such as laser resurfacing, microdermabrasion and chemical peels can also help improve your skin's appearance. Fillers, such as collagen and hyaluronic acid, help to plump up and smooth out the skin, while botox relaxes muscles to prevent facial expressions that may cause wrinkles.
Caution
The International Association for Physicians in Aesthetic Medicine strongly recommends finding a physician that is trained and experienced in the carrying out cosmetic injectable procedures. The physician will make take into your medical history and physical exam before making recommendations on these procedures. Make sure you know the risks, how to prepare for the procedure and how to care for yourself afterward.
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