Causes, Prevention and Treatment of Wrinkles

Are we all doomed to get wrinkles in the end?

Well, although wrinkles are a perfectly natural part of growing older, you might be surprised how much you can do to minimise their appearance. Understanding a little about how they develop, prevention techniques, and what your wrinkle treatment options are can help you combat unsightly lines and creases.

The Cause of Wrinkles

Let’s face it – there’s one cause of wrinkles that none of us can avoid: ageing.

Over time, skin loses its elasticity. According to Scientific American, when a person reaches the age of 20, their skin will naturally produce 1 percent less collagen each year. Collagen is the substance which helps skin look taught and plump. Similarly, older skin contains less elastin – the substance which helps skin retain its firm shape.

So, as we age – our skin gets thinner, less durable and more prone to wrinkling.

The good news is that there are other factors that we can control. For example, persistent exposure to sunlight can have an ageing effect. Certain chemicals have been shown to accelerate the appearance of wrinkles – including smoking tobacco and excessive alcohol consumption.

Wrinkle Prevention

Clearly, none of us can stop the march of time.

However, we can take a few steps to take care of our skin. We can also avoid behaviour that has a negative impact.

Good lifestyle choices such as drinking lots of water, exercising regularly, getting enough sleep and eating a balanced diet all help. Not smoking or drinking too much can prevent early skin fatigue.

You should also develop a skincare regime that works for you. Using the right cleanser, toner and moisturiser to keep your skin clear and well-nourished. Ideally, your moisturiser should have some UV protection. And of course, make sure you wear sunblock when outside and try to avoid prolonged exposure to the sun.

Wrinkle Treatment

Prevention only goes so far when it comes to combating wrinkles. At some stage most of us will have to deal with them.

Thankfully, there have been amazing advances in treatment technology over the last decade.

Wrinkle-reducing injections, such as Botox and Vistabel, are now one of the most common procedures in the world (with over 1.5 million people treated).

Straightforward and painless, the injections effectively relax the muscles beneath the skin which contribute to wrinkling. The effect is usually noticeable a few days after treatment – and lasts for around three months.

They’re particularly useful for forehead lines and crow’s feet at the edges of the eyes.

Alternative anti-wrinkle treatment options include dermal fillers – such as Restylane, Perlane or Restylane Sub-Q. These are injected beneath the skin to give the treated area more volume.

Finally, you may be more suited to chemical peels, microdermabrasion – or laser treatment. All can help your skin look fresher and more alive.

Ultimately, understanding how wrinkles develop and what you can do to prevent them can help your skin look younger for longer. And, if and when you do see wrinkles appear, you have a range of effective treatment options at your disposal.