If you plan to live to a ripe old age, wrinkles are most certainly inevitable. The lines and creases you see on your face--which can range from fine lines to deep grooves and crevices--may be noticeable on particular parts of you face, such as your eyes, mouth and neck, says the Mayo Clinic. Although skin inevitably wrinkles due to the aging process, there are other external factors that can increase wrinkling.
Intrinsic Aging
Skin wrinkles due to intrinsic aging--the factor that you cannot control, notes the Mayo Clinic. With age, the skin begins to loose elasticity as collagen production begins to slow down. The American Academy of Dermatology indicates that as a result, the elastin in the skin becomes noticeably less "springy." Concomitantly, dead skin cells shed more slowly and are replaced by new ones less frequently. This intrinsic aging process typically begins once you enter your mid-20s, but you may not notice wrinkles for many years. The Mayo Clinic notes that family genetics are the primary indicator of when you'll first notice wrinkles in your skin.
Extrinsic Aging
While intrinsic aging is something that you have no control over, you do have control over the extrinsic aging process by what you choose to expose yourself to and how you treat your body. A big factor in wrinkle formation is sun exposure, notes the AAD, also known as "photoaging." Even a few minutes of sun exposure a day can impair the skin's ability to repair itself over time, warns the AAD. Your susceptibility to photoaging depends on your skin tone and history of long-term sun exposure. The AAD notes that fair-complected people show more signs of photoaging than do those with darker skin tones.
Other Factors
Other causes of extrinsic aging include smoking, which the Mayo Clinic claims speeds up the aging process. Making facial expressions--smiling, squinting and frowning--eventually causes wrinkles. As you grow older and your skin loses its ability to spring back into its formerly smooth presentation, these expressions are etched into your skin and become what the Mayo Clinic describes as "permanent features on your face." The AAD notes that even the way you sleep at night can cause wrinkles or "sleep lines" if you place your face on the pillow the same way each time. If you sleep on your back, you're less likely to develop these types of wrinkles.
Preventing Wrinkles
Although you can't prevent wrinkles entirely, the Mayo Clinic notes that there are ways to mitigate the damage to your skin caused by extrinsic factors. Limiting your sun exposure is helpful, as is wearing sunscreens whenever you go outdoors. Simply choosing skin care products with a built-in sunscreen protection factor of at least 15 is helpful. Applying moisturizers can delay the appearance of wrinkles and camouflage fine lines on your face. Smoking cessation can also improve your skin's overall health, even if you've smoked for many years.
Wrinkle Treatments
If you have wrinkles, you may be able to reduce them by using prescription topicals or seeking medical treatments. The Mayo Clinic indicates that prescription retinoids can smooth out minor wrinkles. Even over-the-counter products--specifically those that contain retinol, alpha hydroxy acids, kinetin, coenzyme Q10, copper peptides and antioxidants--can produce a slight improvement. More costly medical procedures may include laser skin resurfacing, injectable fillers and Botox injections, dermabrasion (or microdermabrasion) and chemical peels.
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