Wrinkles occur as time erodes your skin's strength, moisture and flexibility. While wrinkles are a part of aging, many factors contribute to the formation of wrinkles. While you cannot remove wrinkles completely, certain products, procedures and precautions can help bring you some relief from those wrinkles.
Prevention
You can reduce your risks of developing wrinkles prematurely. According to MayoClinic.com, excessive sun exposure and smoking are two of the main causes of premature wrinkles. UV rays erode the collagen tissues and elastin fibers that give skin structure and support. This loss of elasticity causes skin to wrinkle. Always shield your skin from the sun's rays by wearing a minimum SPF 15 sunscreen. If you smoke, the best way to reduce wrinkles is to quit. The main ingredient in cigarettes -- nicotine -- damages skin by constricting blood vessels and blocking blood flow. This starves your skin of oxygen and nutrients and reduces elasticity. The sooner you stop smoking, the sooner you will stop contributing to the formation of more wrinkles.
Wrinkle Creams
According to MayoClinic.com, prescription-strength wrinkle creams that contain active ingredients such as vitamin A-derived retinol, coenzyme Q10, kinetin, copper peptides or alpha hydroxyl acids are typically effective in producing mild to moderate wrinkle reduction. Over-the-counter wrinkle creams contain smaller amounts of the active ingredient than prescription wrinkle creams. As a result, OTC wrinkle creams might be less effective.
Skin Resurfacing Treatments
Skin resurfacing treatments are designed to help make wrinkles appear smoother and less noticeable. Popular skin resurfacing treatments include Botox, microdermabrasion, chemical peels, laser treatments and soft tissue fillers. Botox involves a series of injections that stop facial muscles from tightening and creating wrinkles. Microdermabrasion uses small crystals to sand away the wrinkled surface layer of skin. Chemical peels involve placing an acid solution on your skin that burns away the wrinkled outer layer. Laser treatments use heated beams to spark the production of new collagen fibers, producing firmer, less wrinkled skin. Soft tissue fillers involve injecting agents like collagen, fat or hyoluronic acid into wrinkle crevices to help fill them out. According to MayoClinic.com, the level of wrinkle reduction gained from these procedures varies by individual.
Considerations
Wrinkle creams and skin-resurfacing treatments require repeated applications. According to MayoClinic.com, most wrinkle creams require daily use and may take several weeks to begin working. The required frequency for skin resurfacing treatments varies by procedure and depends on the depth and placement of your wrinkles.
Warning
Wrinkle creams and skin resurfacing treatments can potentially produce side effects such as a rash, redness, swelling, bruising or irritation around the treated area. According to MayoClinic.com, women who are pregnant should not use wrinkle creams that contain vitamin A derivatives because this raises an unborn baby's risk of developing birth defects. MayoClinic.com also states that you should only receive skin resurfacing treatments from an experienced and extensively trained dermatologist or plastic surgeon.
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