Wrinkles are one of the most dreaded cosmetic issues that both women and men face as they age. Developing wrinkles is a normal part of getting older, but there is plenty that you can do to slow the process. Even better, preventing wrinkles doesn't have to be a costly or elaborate investment. The sooner you begin, the simpler your approach can be.
Cause
To treat wrinkles, it helps to understand how and why they form. As you age, your skin thins, loses elasticity and becomes drier, and you lose fat in the deepest layers of skin. Together, these changes leave you with loose, saggy skin and pronounced lines. While this is an unavoidable part of getting older, many environmental factors accelerate your skin's aging process, particularly smoking and exposure to ultraviolet light, according to MayoClinic.com.
Photoaging
The sun is the biggest contributor to premature aging and wrinkles, reports AgingSkinNet. This type of premature aging is known as photoaging, and even a few minutes per day of unprotected exposure to the sun can cause wrinkling. Ultraviolet rays break down collagen and elastin, the fibers that keep skin firm and supple, and interfere with the production of collagen. Wearing a quality sunscreen and limiting your exposure to UV rays are two of the best ways to prevent photoaging.
Prevention
While you can't stop your body from aging, you can minimize your exposure to environmental factors that contribute to wrinkles. Wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher every day, even on cloudy or winter days. Stay out of the sun from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., if possible. When you must be outdoors, keep your skin covered with hats, sunglasses, pants and long sleeves. Don't use tanning beds. Quit smoking, and avoid secondhand smoke as much as possible.
Topical Treatment
There is an abundance of topical creams and lotions that claim to treat and prevent wrinkles, but only certain ingredients have been proven to affect wrinkles. These include retinoids, alpha hydroxy acids, kinetin, coenzyme Q10, copper peptides and antioxidants, according to MayoClinic.com. However, the concentrations of active ingredients in most over-the-counter products aren't high enough to induce dramatic results. Your doctor can prescribe a stronger product to treat more serious wrinkles.
Surgical Treatment
Surgical and professional treatments offer more dramatic results than topical products. Such treatments include chemical peels; dermabrasion; microdermabrasion; laser, light and radiofrequency treatments; fillers; face lifts; and Botox. These procedures can be costly, invasive and have numerous side effects, so discuss the details of surgical treatments with your doctor to determine whether one may be appropriate for your wrinkles. Remember that even surgical procedures might require multiple treatments for lasting results.
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