What Causes Fine Lines? 5 Things You Need To Know

Keep reading to learn about the different ways you can prevent and treat fine lines and wrinkles.

RELATED: What Causes Wrinkles? | Everything You Need To Know

In this article:

1. What Are Fine Lines?
2. Fine Lines vs. Wrinkles: What’s the Difference?
3. What Causes Fine Lines?
4. How Can You Prevent Fine Lines on Your Face?
5. What Is the Best Treatment for Fine Lines and Wrinkles?

Everything You Need To Know About Fine Lines

What Are Fine Lines?

The medical term for fine lines is rhytides. Their appearance often indicates the beginning of the skin aging process.

Researchers define fine lines as visible lines which are less than 1 mm in width and depth. These are superficial folds which normally involve the topmost layer of skin.

Sometimes, they are called expression lines because they appear in the areas of your face which changes when you express certain emotions. For example, fine lines may begin to appear around the eyes or mouth because these facial areas move when you smile, squint, laugh, or furrow.

Fine Lines vs. Wrinkles: What’s the Difference?

Fine lines and wrinkles are often used interchangeably but technically, they are different. The same research above defines wrinkles as visible creases or folds in the skin that are more than 1 mm in width and depth.

It’s good to remember that skin aging doesn’t happen overnight—in reality, it happens over a period of time and science backs this up. Studies show that when fine lines aren’t treated and become deeper over time, they can develop into wrinkles.

So, fine lines are actually the beginnings of wrinkles. What differentiates them is simply their width and depth—fine lines are more superficial while wrinkles are more deep-set.

What Causes Fine Lines?

The same research that defines fine lines also says fine lines and wrinkles can be caused by either internal or external factors. Internal factors include:

• Skin pigmentation – Wrinkling is more common and appears earlier among Caucasians than African Americans and Asians.
• Normal aging – Elastin and collagen levels in the body naturally decrease as one gets older. This leads to the appearance of wrinkles.
• Hormonal status – Low levels of estrogen brought on by menopause may contribute to the development of wrinkles.
• Other medical conditions – In women, the number of wrinkles was positively correlated with the number of full-term pregnancies they had.

On the other hand, external factors include:

• Ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure – Cumulative effects of UV exposure leads to photodamage which may cause wrinkling over time.
• Exposure to pollution – There’s a positive correlation between exposure to air pollutants and skin aging (including wrinkles).
• Cigarette smoking – Facial wrinkles are more common in men and women who smoke. In fact, compared to non-smokers, smokers are two times more likely to develop moderate to severe facial wrinkles.
• Repeated facial expressions – The previously mentioned study identifies smile lines, furrow lines on the forehead, and crows feet are common wrinkles caused by using certain facial expressions again and again.
• Nutrition – A study shows that women who had healthier diets had fewer wrinkles. Another study stresses the importance of including antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables in a balanced diet to maintain young-looking skin.
• Stress – One study shows that chronic stress has a negative effect on skin aging.

All of the factors above may contribute to skin fragility, decrease in elasticity, and epidermal thinning—all of which plays a role in the development of lines and creases in the skin.

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How Can You Prevent Fine Lines on Your Face?

It’s difficult to control the internal factors that cause skin aging, but there are a few things you can do to avoid some of the external factors:

• • Avoid direct sunlight by staying indoors or wearing protective clothing to reduce photodamage.
  • Avoid smoking or quit it altogether.
  • Wear sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher. Studies show that daily use of sunscreen prevents photodamage.
  • Use the right skin care products. Studies show that using topical products with antioxidants help reduce inflammation and fight the damage caused by free radicals which could otherwise lead to wrinkles.
  • Maintain a well-balanced diet with antioxidant-rich foods.

Studies show you begin producing less collagen once you enter into adulthood. This decline in collagen diminishes the skin’s elasticity which may lead to wrinkles, so it’s best to engage in these preventive measures before their appearance.

What Is the Best Treatment for Fine Lines and Wrinkles?

When wrinkles or fine lines on the face become visible, it’s best to continue the measures listed above to slow down the appearance of new fine lines and wrinkles. Don’t worry though, there are things you can do to treat the existing ones.

Here are a few proven measures you can take to reduce the appearance or severity of your fine lines or wrinkles:

• Give yourself a facial massage when applying skin care. One study shows using a facial massage device amplified the anti-aging effects of skin care products.
• Use skin care products with retinol. Retinol is a cell regulator and the same study on anti-aging strategies shows it helps increase collagen production and promotes cellular turnover and cellular repair.
• Use skin care products that are rich in antioxidants. The same study on anti-aging strategies also shows Vitamins C, B3, and E are great antioxidants in skin care because they can easily penetrate the skin with their low molecular weight.
• Get laser treatments, like yttrium-aluminum-garnet (YAG) laser treatment. Studies show YAG laser treatment can increase skin elasticity and reduce the appearance of wrinkles.
• Get intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy. The same study shows IPL therapy can improve the appearance of areas with wrinkles, and it also enhances skin elasticity.

Choose skin care products that combine the anti-aging properties of retinol and antioxidants—like the Purple Tea Skin Care line! Our restorative Night Cream doesn’t only have vitamin C, vitamin E, and retinol, but it also bottles up the anti-aging properties of the purple tea leaf.

Purple tea leaf extract is rich in antioxidants. It also has nourishing properties which help keep the skin bright, tight, and young-looking.

If you’re looking for the best eye cream for fine lines, try Purple Tea’s Rapid Eye. This anti-wrinkle cream can firm up the skin and reduce the appearance of fine lines.

Now that you know what causes fine lines and wrinkles, you can actively avoid them. Don’t forget to equip yourself with the best anti-aging skin care products—your skin will thank you for it!

What are your skin care concerns? Are you looking for the best anti-aging skin care products? Let us know in the comments section below. 

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