All About Wrinkles
Fine lines and wrinkles are one of the most common signs of aging. The younger you start to address them, the easier it is to improve their appearance. Here is everything you need to know about them.
So, what are wrinkles? As we age, our skin becomes thinner and drier. It also loses its elasticity and the fat deposits in our face decrease in volume and shift downward. Whenever we smile, frown or make other facial expressions, our skin is no longer able to bounce back to its original shape like it did when we were young. This results in permanent lines and creases on the skin known as wrinkles.
What causes wrinkles? Several factors affect the development of wrinkles:
1. Sun exposure
The Environmental Protection Agency states that up to 90 percent of visible skin aging is due to sun exposure.
2. Genetics
Hereditary factors play a key role in the development of wrinkles, including when we first develop them and how many we get.
3. Sugar
There is a huge body of research to show that sugar creates advanced glycation products (AGEs) when it enters our bloodstream. AGEs break down collagen and elastin, leading to dull, saggy and wrinkled skin.
4. Lifestyle factors
Smoking accelerates the aging process and alcohol dehydrates the skin, making it more prone to wrinkles.
How can you prevent and treat wrinkles? It is never too late to take steps to prevent the formation of new wrinkles. Try these methods:
1. Wear sunscreen. When you are spending more than 30 minutes in the sun, it is important to use SPF. We recommend wearing one with an SPF 30 and you necesserily need to go much higher than that, as the higher you go, the higher the risk of free radical damage. Remember to reapply every few hours.
2. Keep Skin Cleansed, Toned and Moisturized. It is important to stick to a consistent routine that includes the basics. Cleanser clears away product build-up, makeup and environmental impurities including pollutants and free radicals, to prevent clogged pores. Toner rebalances skin and increases the efficacy of every product that follows. Moisturizer hydrates the skin, creating a plumping effect and diminishing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
3. Use Technology. Red LED increases the production of collagen and elastin, thereby reducing the depth and appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and enlarged pores. It also stimulates blood flow, allowing more oxygen to the tissue, resulting in brighter and healthier complexion.
4. Eat a healthy diet. Limit your sugar intake and eat plenty of fruit and vegetables. Two major studies found that people who ate diets high in foods containing vitamin C had fewer wrinkles and less photo-aging.
5. Avoid smoking and excess alcohol. Smoking is one of the worst things you can do to dehydrate, toxify and prematurely age your skin.
Alcohol is also dehydrating and some alcoholic drinks contain a lot of sugar (or are blended with sugary mixers), which we know has negative effects on the skin. Less is better when it comes to alcohol.
Finally, we are proponents of aging gracefully and looking the best you can for your age, so do not fret every fine line and wrinkle, they are markers of a life-well-lived.
So, what are wrinkles? As we age, our skin becomes thinner and drier. It also loses its elasticity and the fat deposits in our face decrease in volume and shift downward. Whenever we smile, frown or make other facial expressions, our skin is no longer able to bounce back to its original shape like it did when we were young. This results in permanent lines and creases on the skin known as wrinkles.
What causes wrinkles? Several factors affect the development of wrinkles:
1. Sun exposure
The Environmental Protection Agency states that up to 90 percent of visible skin aging is due to sun exposure.
2. Genetics
Hereditary factors play a key role in the development of wrinkles, including when we first develop them and how many we get.
3. Sugar
There is a huge body of research to show that sugar creates advanced glycation products (AGEs) when it enters our bloodstream. AGEs break down collagen and elastin, leading to dull, saggy and wrinkled skin.
4. Lifestyle factors
Smoking accelerates the aging process and alcohol dehydrates the skin, making it more prone to wrinkles.
How can you prevent and treat wrinkles? It is never too late to take steps to prevent the formation of new wrinkles. Try these methods:
1. Wear sunscreen. When you are spending more than 30 minutes in the sun, it is important to use SPF. We recommend wearing one with an SPF 30 and you necesserily need to go much higher than that, as the higher you go, the higher the risk of free radical damage. Remember to reapply every few hours.
2. Keep Skin Cleansed, Toned and Moisturized. It is important to stick to a consistent routine that includes the basics. Cleanser clears away product build-up, makeup and environmental impurities including pollutants and free radicals, to prevent clogged pores. Toner rebalances skin and increases the efficacy of every product that follows. Moisturizer hydrates the skin, creating a plumping effect and diminishing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
3. Use Technology. Red LED increases the production of collagen and elastin, thereby reducing the depth and appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and enlarged pores. It also stimulates blood flow, allowing more oxygen to the tissue, resulting in brighter and healthier complexion.
4. Eat a healthy diet. Limit your sugar intake and eat plenty of fruit and vegetables. Two major studies found that people who ate diets high in foods containing vitamin C had fewer wrinkles and less photo-aging.
5. Avoid smoking and excess alcohol. Smoking is one of the worst things you can do to dehydrate, toxify and prematurely age your skin.
Alcohol is also dehydrating and some alcoholic drinks contain a lot of sugar (or are blended with sugary mixers), which we know has negative effects on the skin. Less is better when it comes to alcohol.
Finally, we are proponents of aging gracefully and looking the best you can for your age, so do not fret every fine line and wrinkle, they are markers of a life-well-lived.
