Everyone’s skin ages. It is a natural process for cracking and creasing skin as you age. A few facial lines can be endearing and add character to your face. Creases, ridges, or folds in the skin are called wrinkles. But the onset of wrinkles is one thing probably no one ever wishes to see. Many of us are in a state of disgust as the glow of youth goes on the dimmer switch due to the appearance of wrinkles on the face.

The first wrinkles appear in a person’s face in areas where the skin naturally folds during facial expressions. As we age skin loses elasticity because collagen production slows down over time. While aging skin tends to become thinner and drier which can also make it more prone to wrinkles.

Also, various factors like sun exposure, pollution, genetics, unhealthy lifestyle, medications, radiation, etc. act as catalysts in the process of having early wrinkles. Wrinkles affect people of different skin tones differently due to structural and functional differences in the skin. Research indicates that the compact dermis is thicker in the skin of Black and Asian people, which likely protects against facial wrinkles.

Although wrinkles are an inevitable part of aging, taking good care of your skin can go a long way in keeping it wrinkle-free for as long as possible. So, below are some effective tips you can start following to prevent wrinkles for a long-lasting youthful appearance:

Medications

Topical Retinoids: If your prescribed medicine contains retinoids then it is good for you. Retinoids are derived from vitamin A. Retinoids can increase collagen production, which helps plumps up the skin. They help in skin regeneration and can promote the creation of new blood vessels, improving the overall appearance and texture of the skin.

Wrinkle creams: Anti-wrinkle creams that you can get in medical stores that contain ingredients like retinol, alpha hydroxy acids, copper peptides, coenzymes, kinetin, antioxidants, etc. may result in modest improvements in wrinkles.

Surgical Procedures and Other Techniques

Wide varieties of surgery and procedures are used to smooth out wrinkles. A combination of different treatments may yield the most satisfying results also. To perform these procedures, you must consult with your doctor regarding which approach would best meet your needs and skin type.

Chemical Peel: It involves applying a chemical solution to the desired areas, causing the dead skin to shed and eventually peel off. The regenerated skin tends to be smoother than the old skin. Depending on the depth of the peel, you may need several treatments before you see a difference in your skin.

Dermabrasion: Dermabrasion is a surgical procedure that involves the controlled wearing away, or abrasion, of the upper layers of skin with a rapidly rotating device. New skin grows in its place. Dermabrasion aims to remove fine wrinkles, moles, tattoos, acne scars, and other types of scars. Possible side effects include temporary redness, scabbing and swelling. It may take several months for pinkness to fade and for you to see results.

Botulinum Toxin Type A: Commonly called Botox, blocks the muscles from contracting. A cosmetic professional will use it to reduce wrinkles by injecting small doses of Botox into targeted muscles. If the muscles can no longer tighten, the skin flattens, giving a less wrinkled and smoother appearance. Botox can decrease the lines on the forehead, the frown lines between the eyes, and around the corners of the eyes. A person will see results after a few days to a week. The changes usually last for 3–4 months, so many people get repeat injections.

Fillers: Soft tissue fillers, which include fat, collagen, and hyaluronic acid (Restylane, Juvederm, others), can be injected into wrinkles on your face. They plump and smooth wrinkles and furrows. You may experience temporary swelling, redness, and bruising in the treated area. The effect of most products is temporary.

Face-lift: A facelift, or a rhytidectomy, is a type of cosmetic surgery that aims to make people look more youthful. It usually involves removing some facial skin and fat, with or without tightening the underlying tissues. A study in plastic and reconstructive surgery suggests that some elements of a facelift should last for about 5 and a half years, but it may lose some effect around the neck. Healing times may be lengthy, and the person will experience bruising and swelling for a few weeks after surgery.

Healthy Lifestyles You Can Follow

Adopting healthy habits in your day-to-day life not only helps you to prevent wrinkles but also to achieve a healthy life. If you take enough care of your diet, cleanliness, sleep, workouts, etc. then you are good to go, your body will lose most of the negative particles that affect your body in different ways.

Sun Protection: It’s a well-known fact that exposure to the sun can damage your skin, leading to premature aging and wrinkles. Avoiding UV exposure reduces skin damage. Dermatologists recommend wearing a hat and clothing to protect the skin and using a sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher every day. UV rays can still penetrate clouds, so don’t skimp on sunscreen just because it isn’t sunny.

Moisturize: A moisturizer acts like a drink of water for your face. Moisturizers help to nourish and hydrate the skin. This is especially important as you get older and your skin becomes drier, which makes it more prone to wrinkles. Research shows that using a moisturizer that contains hyaluronic acid and vitamin C is especially effective at preventing wrinkles from forming or getting deeper. Ask your dermatologist for product recommendations for your skin.

Stay Hydrated: Preventing wrinkles starts from within, and nothing is more important than healthy hydration. Drink those eight glasses of water a day. If you’re an overachiever, drink nine! Besides vital functions like flushing toxins from your body, aiding with digestion, and regulating your body temperature, water can also help keep your skin healthy and hydrated from the inside. Your skin is a living, breathing organ, and beauty truly starts from within, so fill up your water bottles and get to drinking.

Healthy Balanced Diet: As they say “You are what you eat”, the proper diet can make a world of difference to your skin. Eat food rich in antioxidants like green tea, olive oil, salmon, avocados, pomegranates, flax seeds, carrot, pumpkin, leafy greens, bell peppers, broccoli, etc. to name a few. These foods help to improve the skin’s elasticity and protect against skin damage and premature aging. Foods rich with vitamins A, C, E, and beta carotene will fight free radicals and cell damage from within. Include plenty of saturated fat and Omega 3s in your diet as well.

Avoid Smoking and Alcohol: Tobacco smoke damages collagen and elastin, the fibers that give your skin its elasticity and strength. Also, the nicotine in cigarettes causes your blood vessels to constrict. This reduces the blood flow to your skin. As a result, your skin doesn’t get as much oxygen. It’ll also limit the important nutrients, like vitamin A, that can get to your skin. Alcohol dehydrates the skin, which causes damage over time.

Sleep on Your Back: According to a 2016 study, your sleeping position may affect the formation of wrinkles. The study found that people who sleep on their side or stomach are prone to mechanical compression forces, which can speed up the formation of wrinkles, and also distort facial skin.

One way to prevent this is to try sleeping on your back instead of on your side or stomach.

Face Washing and Facial Exercises: Sweat can irritate the skin, causing damage over time. This is especially true when wearing a hat or helmet. So, you must wash your face at least twice a day to avoid dust particles and sweat absorbed into the skin. You can use a gentle cleanser and rub skin slowly. Just as you exercise to tone up other muscles in your body, you can exercise to tone up your facial muscles. When your facial muscles expand, they fill in the lines on your face. That means you can tighten your skin and smooth out wrinkles with specific anti-aging facial exercises.

Stay happy: Sadness is one of the major causes of premature wrinkle appearance. This may be caused by personal circumstances or long-term illness, both of which can be mitigated by following a healthier, happier, and mindful life. 

Minimize screen exposure: Our lifestyle is inclined towards screen exposure from the minute we wake up to the minute we go to bed. While it is impossible to avoid screen exposure, be mindful of taking regular breaks, and do not use digital gadgets unless extremely necessary. 

So, there you have it. These are the few things related to medications, surgeries, and some healthy lifestyle habits you can follow now to mitigate wrinkles on your face and to keep your skin looking healthy and youthful.