And more importantly what can we do to lessen them.
Wrinkles are creases in the skin, some are fine lines while others are deep folds. Wrinkles usually appear as we age. Listed below are some of the causes:
1. Facial expressions.
2. Genetics
3. Dehydration
4. Sun Damage
5. Smoking and excessive use of alcohol
6. Possibly some medications
Wrinkles tend to appear first on body parts that are most exposed to the sun such as the face, neck, back of the hands and arms.
Wrinkles are a natural part of the aging process. As we get older our skin gets thinner, drier and less elastic. We need to take more care to delay the results of the list above. When you smile or frown or squint you are using a facial muscle under the skin which forms a groove. When a person is young the skin tends to spring back but as we age and the skin loses some of its elasticity and therefore those grooves tend to be more permanent.
Genetics is something we have no control over some of us are lucky and some not so lucky. The lucky ones can thank their ancestors for their generous gift, others oh well….
There are some of the above we do have control over to a degree.
Dehydration for example the simple answer is to drink plenty of water. By cutting your alcohol consumption you will also lessen dehydration of the skin.
Sun damage can be lessened by limited exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light. This you can do by limiting or ending your exposure to the sun by sunbathing and no longer using tanning beds. Both of these options will not only help you from not developing early wrinkles but lessen the chances of skin cancer. UV light can break down the collagen and elastin fibers in your skin. These fibers form the skin’s connective tissue under the skin’s surface that support the skin. When you break down this layer it causes your skin to become not only weak but less flexible. Your skin will then start to sag and wrinkles will appear.
By eliminating smoking will help to slow down the aging process. Smoking reduces blood supply to the skin causing accelerated aging.
What we can do to slow down the natural aging process
For fine line wrinkles, uneven skin tone or rough skin a topical solution is available. Vitamin C is available in crème or serum formulas. Before using it is always best to consult with your dermatologist or doctor as some people could be allergic to them. In most cases the adverse effects could be dryness, itching or a burning sensation.
Be diligent about keeping your skin well fed with a good organic oil, lotion or both. Always remove your make up before retiring every night and drink lots of water.
For more severe options you can consult your physician about different cosmetic surgeries or other medical procedures. Some of the options are Dermabrasion, Laser therapy, Chemical peels,
Fillers or Face lifts.
Remember, aging is a natural process and eventually everybody will get wrinkles. You can lengthen the time you are wrinkle free but not eliminate forever the dreaded wrinkles.
