While the fountain of youth may not be real, it is possible to keep your skin from wrinkling prematurely.
Let’s start by exploring what causes wrinkles in the first place. It’s a common misconception that wrinkles are caused by age when, in fact, it’s actually sun exposure that ages the skin.
Why does this happen exactly? Well, the UV rays from the sun break down the collagen in your face and other exposed areas, making your skin lose elasticity and eventually forming wrinkles. (These same rays also cause those brown “age spots” that we all hate.)
But can this process be stopped or at least slowed down? Absolutely.
- Keep away from the sun.
Clearly, we can’t stay indoors 24/7, but we can take precautions when we are outside. This means always wear your sunscreen and cover up anything exposed to the sun. When choosing sunscreen, pick one with 30 SPF or above for a good level of protection.
- Moisturize
We say this a lot, but keeping your skin moisturized is essential to helping prevent prematurely aged skin. Pick the best moisturizer for your skin type and apply it twice a day to keep skin hydrated. Moisturizer not only helps eliminate dry skin but also helps keep your skin supple which, in turn, helps prevent wrinkles from forming in the first place.
- Build up that collagen.
In addition to moisturizer, it’s best to apply a “wrinkle cream” that has collagen-building properties in it. The main three to look for are:- Retinoids
- Glycolic Acid
- Vitamin C
These ingredients combine to help smooth the appearance of skin while keeping future wrinkles or aging signs at bay. The more collagen your skin can build up, the younger it will appear in the long run.
- Drop the cigarettes.
Fewer things will age your face more than smoking. Smokers on average have more wrinkles, more signs of aging, and thinner skin compared to those who don’t smoke.
- Try sleeping on your back.
When you sleep on your side or stomach your face becomes “smooshed” against the pillow, causing your face to contort. Eventually, your skin will take on the lines it’s repeatedly slept on. Sleeping on your back is a simple, yet effective way to reduce skin wrinkling.
- Eat your way to younger skin.
Try to regularly eat foods that aid in protecting skin such as:- Salmon and other foods rich in Omega-3 help reduce inflammation in the skin while supplying you with plenty of Vitamin D.
- Olive oil helps reduce the number of wrinkles your skin produces over time.
- Vitamin C is a powerful anti-aging vitamin, which is why it’s so desirable in facial creams. Ingesting foods rich in Vitamin C will give you even more anti-aging help. Oranges and other citrus fruits are a delicious way to help prevent premature aging.
- “Your face will stick that way.”
Anyone who remembers her childhood remembers this phrase, and it’s kind of true. The more you frown, squint, or just generally scrunch up your face, the more likely lines will develop in these places. Squinting can enhance the look of crow’s feet around the eyes, while frowning can put the wrong emphasis on the lines between your eyebrows. So be aware of repeated facial expressions and take precautions where you can, like wearing sunglasses when out in the sun and get your eyes checked if you squint a lot.
Luckily, attaining and maintaining a youthful complex isn’t quite the daunting task you may have been led to believe. No epic journeys to a make to mythical fountains, just a regimented skin care routine.
If you’re currently dealing with wrinkles in the mid and lower face, and other treatments and aesthetic options have failed you, ellacor® may be your answer. And Dermatology Associates now has this groundbreaking technology! With 90 percent of patients showing improvement on the Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale on average and with 86 percent overall patient satisfaction when considering all treatment sides, ellacor knocks wrinkles out where other treatment options tend to fall short.
If you’d like to discuss other ways to help stop skin from wrinkling – or help reverse the signs of aging –we’re here to help. Click here to schedule an appointment with Dermatology Associates.
Dermatology Associates offers a full spectrum of leading-edge medical, surgical, and cosmetic dermatology services from offices in Savannah and Vidalia.
