When you were little, you may have thought it was funny when you stayed in the bathtub too long and noticed that your fingers were wrinkled. Well, now that you’re grown, if you notice wrinkles on your face, it’s not so funny anymore. Wrinkles are just a natural part of aging, but that doesn’t mean that women have to accept them without a fight.
Causes
Besides aging and genetics, sun damage, smoking, dehydration and some medications also cause wrinkles on the face. Wrinkles appear when your skin gets drier, thinner and less elastic. Light-skinned people tend to get wrinkles sooner than dark-skinned people because lighter skin is more susceptible to sun damage, a major contributor to wrinkles. If your parents got wrinkles early, then you are more likely to develop early wrinkles, too. Smoking accelerates wrinkles, probably because of a reduced blood supply to the skin, according to Medical News Today and the Mayo Clinic.
Types
Wrinkles come in two forms: the lightweight version, which are surface lines, or the heavyweight version, which are deep furrows. Some wrinkle creams can help with surface lines, but to rid the deep furrows, you have to use the big guns, so to speak, meaning injectable fillers or plastic surgery.
Medicines
Topical retinoids derived from vitamin A, that you can get with a prescription from your doctor or dermatologist, may reduce fine lines, lighten dark spots and smooth out rough patches. Retinoids make it easier for your skin to burn, so use a sunscreen every day if you use them.
You can also treat wrinkles with over-the-counter products. Look for active ingredients on the label, such as retinol, alpha hydroxy acids, coenzyme Q10, kinetin, copper peptides, antioxidants or tea extracts. OTC products do not contain as high a concentration of the active ingredients as prescription products do. Therefore, they are not as effective.
Surgical Procedures
Dermabrasion, micordermabrasion, laser resurfacing, Botox, chemical peels, injectable fillers and face lifts are all surgical options designed to get rid of wrinkles on the face. Dermabrasion, microdermabrasion and laser resurfacing all involve removing the outer layers of skin to reveal the less-wrinkled skin underneath. Botox stops muscles from contracting, making the skin — usually the forehead, between the eyes and crow’s feet — appear smoother. A chemical peel causes skin to slough off, making newer, fresher skin appear. Injectable fillers are collagen or hyaluronic acid that a doctor injects right into your deep furrows to plump them up. A face-lift, the most permanent type of surgical treatment, involves removing excess skin and may include tightening underlying muscles.
Prevention
You need some sunlight for vitamin D, but protect your face by wearing hats and sunscreen. Keep your skin moisturized to give your skin a better appearance. Stop smoking. Eat a healthy diet full of whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables and olive oil. Exercise and get enough sleep. But, sleep on your back. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, resting your face on a pillow in the same position night after night can lead to wrinkles.
