Wrinkles are a natural part of getting older but most of us don’t know exactly where they come from, or what to do about them. Your grandma might have told you a million times that wrinkles happen from frowning or smiling so much, but the truth is that wrinkles have more to do with unavoidable factors like aging and genetics.
Table of Contents
What Causes Wrinkles?
To go straight to how wrinkles form–when your skin cells mature, they flake off and die naturally all over your body while new cells replace them. These dead skin cells combine to create a protective layer on your skin called ‘stratum corneum’. As you age this process slows down and eventually stops completely: it’s this slowed cell replacement that creates wrinkles.
Although there isn’t necessarily a way to stop them from forming, wrinkles can be minimized by taking care of your skin. There are definitely a few things you can do to prevent wrinkles from forming.
How to Prevent Wrinkles?
Sun Protection
Sun protection is one of the most effective ways to keep wrinkles from forming. From tanning beds to UV rays from the sun itself, wrinkles form because the UV rays stimulate collagen breakdown which shrinks your skin cells and wrinkles begin to form. Ultimately wrinkles develop as a result of exposure to solar radiation which decreases the natural production of vitamin D and damages DNA in the epidermis, so it is best not to spend much time outdoors during peak hours when UV exposure is at its highest or if you have sensitive skin protect yourself with sunscreen every day.
The wrinkles also form from the wind and long-term exposure to wind can cause wrinkles. Even a little bit of wind is enough to create wrinkles, which is why it’s best to take precautions against wrinkles by wearing sunscreen, not spending too much time outside when UV rays are strongest, and avoiding overexposure to wind.
Moisturize Your Skin
In addition to protecting your skin from the sun, it is also recommended to moisturize your skin. Moisturizing your skin regularly can help to prevent wrinkles and it will also help you to keep wrinkles away.
Make sure that you moisturize before going outside, even if it’s just for a few minutes or less. This is because wrinkles are caused by the sun, which means that it’s easier for wrinkles to form when your skin isn’t moisturized.
Stay Hydrated
Drinking water is an important part of preventing wrinkles. The human body, including your skin, needs water to stay hydrated. If you are not drinking enough water every day, wrinkles will be more likely to form on your face from dryness.
Sleep Well
Lack of sleep can also lead to wrinkles. When you are tired or sleep-deprived, it’s harder for your skin cells to renew themselves and wrinkles may begin to appear. Make sure that you’re getting seven hours of sleep every night in order to prevent wrinkles from forming too quickly or too often.
Be Gentle With Your Skin
When washing your face or applying makeup, make sure that you’re being gentle with your skin. Don’t rub too hard and remove wrinkles by exfoliating gently instead of aggressively rubbing a washcloth over your skin repeatedly.
To Sum It All Up
In conclusion, preventing wrinkles requires a combination of lifestyle changes and smart beauty habits. As you age, wrinkles may become more noticeable and it’s important to be aware of the triggers that cause wrinkles in order to remove wrinkles before they appear on your face permanently. Pay attention to stress, sleep deprivation, diet, and skincare when you’re trying to prevent wrinkles from forming. Make sure that you avoid smoking and apply waterproof makeup liberally so wrinkles don’t form around your eyes or lips too quickly.
Finally, you can always speak with a dermatologist about your options. If you have deep existing wrinkles, consult a dermatologist about injectable options like Botox in addition to products and prescription treatments. Instead of asking them “how to get rid of your wrinkles”, ask about how to minimize or soften them.