If there’s one thing that can make you feel older than you are, that’s wrinkles. But what causes wrinkles?
In this article:
- What are Wrinkles?
- Why Do You Get Wrinkles?
- Where Do Wrinkles Commonly Appear?
- When Do You Get Wrinkles?
- How Can You Prevent Wrinkles?
Everything You Need to Know About Wrinkles
What are Wrinkles?
The word “wrinkle” is an umbrella term for all the lines, creases, ridges, and folds in your skin. Some wrinkles are shallow, while others deepen through time. Wrinkles are usually associated with aging, but their untimely appearance is more likely caused by environmental factors.
Why Do You Get Wrinkles?
Your skin ages with you. Age-related wrinkling can be explained by the changes that occur in your skin’s collagen and elastin. These are proteins found in the second layer of your skin, the dermis. As you age, your body produces less collagen and elastin and whatever is left behind becomes looser. The skin, then, loses its elasticity. It also takes longer for your skin cells to repair and regenerate. Your skin produces less sebum or oil as you get older and this leads to drier skin. Skin that is inelastic, brittle, and dry lends itself more to visible wrinkling.
While it may seem like wrinkles are inevitable, the skin’s natural aging process is usually gradual. It normally begins in one’s 20s and starts becoming perceivable in approximately 10-20 years. But why is this becoming a problem for young women? Unfortunately, most premature wrinkles are caused by external factors:
- Repeated facial expressions or positions like squinting, smiling, frowning, using straws or cigarettes contribute to the wrinkles around your eyes, forehead, and mouth. When you use your facial muscles, grooves form. As you get older, these grooves become permanent because your skin isn’t as elastic anymore.
- Smoking leads to premature wrinkling because regular nicotine intake reduces your skin’s blood supply. Blood cells carry oxygen and vital nutrients to your skin. Without these, you are left with dry, wrinkle-prone skin.
- Pollution is a major source of free radicals. Free radicals grab electrons from your skin’s atoms. This changes the chemical structure and biological functioning of your skin’s DNA. All of these things speed aging which can lead to premature wrinkles.
- Sun exposure or exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light is the main culprit of early wrinkling. UV light penetrates through the layers of your skin and breaks down your skin’s collagen and elastin. Breaking down these proteins makes your skin more susceptible to wrinkles.
Where Do Wrinkles Commonly Appear?
Since sun exposure and UV light are the main cause of premature wrinkles, you are more likely to get wrinkles in body areas regularly exposed to the sun. These include your face, neck, hands, and forearms.
When Do You Get Wrinkles?
Skin aging is influenced by genes and so, it varies from person to person. Usually, skin begins to age in one’s 20s when one begins to produce less collagen each year. Wrinkles are likely to become more visible in one’s 30s or 40s. Hormonal changes experienced with menopause can also contribute to skin aging.
How Can You Prevent Wrinkles?
We can prevent wrinkles by minimizing or eliminating our exposure to the external or environmental factors that speed up skin aging.
- Avoid smoking or quit the habit altogether.
- Wear sunscreen every day. It’s helpful to remember that it only takes a few minutes of sun exposure for the UV rays to penetrate your skin. So, even if you spend most of your time indoors, don’t skip the sunscreen!
- Wear clothes that can protect you from the sun such as hats and long-sleeved shirts, especially if you spend a lot of time outdoors.
- Use a high-quality moisturizer to prevent drying of skin. A great way to keep your skin hydrated is to moisturize in the morning and at night. Take extra care in moisturizing wrinkle-prone areas such as the skin around your eyes, forehead, and mouth.
- Make sure to drink lots of water to help get rid of toxins and free radicals. Most doctors recommend drinking 8 cups of water a day. As you eliminate the toxins and free radicals from your body by keeping hydrated, you get a youthful glow as an added bonus!
- Develop a healthy sleep routine. Getting enough sleep is important because it is the best time for your skin to regenerate. When you sleep, your body increases the blood flow, and this promotes better cell regeneration.
Apart from these preventative measures, there are more proactive ways of treating wrinkles. There are topical treatments, skin resurfacing techniques, injectables, fillers, and surgical procedures that are recommended to help smooth skin and make wrinkles less noticeable. It’s best to discuss these options with your dermatologist before trying them. For natural options, you can opt for home remedies or Purple Tea products you can purchase online.
Learn how to fight wrinkles naturally using coconut oil in this video from WaysAndHow:
Aging just got a lot less stressful now that you know what causes wrinkles. With all these and a proper skin care routine, you can now look as young as you feel!
What are your thoughts on wrinkles? Do you do anything to prevent them? Let us know by commenting below!
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