We’re all likely destined for a future with wrinkles. It’s all part of aging, of course. But do we really need to accept them in our 30’s without putting up a fight? No way! We have so much information on the actions that cause wrinkles, ingredients to help, and steps to take to fend them off as long as possible. Read on to see what causes them, and then we’ll share some tips on avoiding them as long as possible.
What Causes Wrinkles?
A repetition in movement. NYC Dermatologist, Dr. Neal Schultz talked to us in-depth about crow’s feet and how to avoid them. He likened the skin to a paperclip. When you bend a paperclip back and forth a few times, it will break. This is the same as your skin’s collagen.
When you make repetitious movements, such as smiling, squinting, or rubbing your eyes, the collagen is bending and bending, and if you’re not careful, it can break. Thus, a wrinkle.
Tips to Avoid or Prolong Wrinkles
The Sun is Not Your Friend: I feel terribly sorry for the people who think that lying in the sun helps them look younger. This may help them feel good initially, but in 10-15 years, they are going to be crying at the dermatologist’s office begging for some help.
The sun is the #1 cause of aging skin, period. There is no way to love the sun and love your skin if you don’t take precautions. The sun causes your skin irreversible skin damage. Do we want you to avoid the sun? Of course not! But play it safe. Wear sunscreen, reapply often, wear a hat and sunglasses and seek out the shade. (Sun Safety Tips) And don’t forget the winter! The UV rays are present even if it’s 10 degrees. No excuses. Sunscreen daily.
Wear Sunglasses Every Single Day: This is huge. As noted above, when you make repetitious motions in your skin, your collagen breaks down.
When you don’t wear sunglasses, your eyes squint to keep the sun out. This squinting is what causes crow’s feet. (How to Get Rid of Crows Feet)
Wear sunglasses every time you’re outside, especially when you’re driving. This is an all-year thing, as snow and ice reflect the sun’s rays and cause you to squint, too! Keep a pair in your car and one in your handbag.
- Your Hands Won’t Keep Your Secret: You might be doing everything right with your face, but if you’re not keeping your hands from aging, they will spill the beans every time. Think of your hands as a continuation of your face and chest. Rub in leftover skincare products on your hands, wear sunscreen each time you drive, and continuously wear gloves when putting your hands in hot water or cleaning products. Lotion them often, as dry hands always look older than hydrated hands. (5 Tips for Younger Looking Hands)
- Use Peptides and Retinoids (or Retinols): Dr. Schultz explained that peptides are tiny little particles that the body thinks are pieces of broken collagen. When the body sees these “broken collagen pieces,” it makes more collagen to replace the broken pieces. A win, win! It will help reduce and minimize the fine lines that are forming on your skin.
Using retinol is also a great way to turn back the clock (or help it tick slower). They work by speeding the cell turnover rate, bringing fresh, new skin to the surface quicker. This can help eliminate or reduce discoloration, wrinkles, and acne. The over-the-counter ingredient to look for is retinol, and the prescription is called retinoid. Retinoids will work fast, but you can still get great results from retinol. (Glycolic Acid Skin Benefits)
Visit Your Dermatologist: There are so many treatments that your doctor can give in the office that will give you results you can’t get at home. Some options are chemical peels, injections, and laser treatments. You can find all of these things as at-home options as well, but there is nothing like getting a skin analysis from a doctor who specializes in the skin. She or he will tell you exactly what will give the results you are looking for.
Want to Avoid Wrinkles: Three Ingredients to Be Using Now
If you’re just starting to notice the fine lines and wrinkles around your eyes, it’s high time you start using some proven age-fighting skincare ingredients. But with many products on the market ranging from budget to splurge, how do you know what to choose?
It’s all in the ingredient list. And here are three that you should be looking for because they are proven to help fight signs of aging.
- Glycolic Acid – Glycolic acid is a natural ingredient made from sugar cane, although it is now often produced synthetically.
- It falls into the category of ingredients called AHA’s, or alpha hydroxy acids.
- You’ll find it on the ingredient list with a percentage amount. Look for 10% for best results, but if you have sensitive skin, start with a lower percentage. Here’s more on glycolic acid’s skin benefits and ways to use this ingredient both at home and in the office.
- Peptides: Peptides are tiny little particles that the body thinks are little pieces of broken collagen. The body “sees” those broken collagen pieces, and in turn, the dermis makes more collagen to replace the broken collagen. This helps smooth fine lines. Cool, right? (How to Get Rid of Crow’s Feet)
- SPF: The sun is the #1 skin ager out there, so if you want to minimize the sun’s aging effects on your skin, you need to wear sunscreen. A tan will make you feel younger, but a tan is simply skin damage that will turn into wrinkles and age spots. Clarins UV Plus Day Screen is my favorite facial sunscreen.