Wrinkles are a natural part of the aging process, and ultimately the best thing that we can all hope for is to age gracefully. That being said, understanding what causes them can help you take steps to minimize their appearance and maintain supple, youthful skin for as long as possible. Let’s explore the main factors that contribute to the formation of wrinkles.
1. Aging
As we age, our skin naturally loses its elasticity and becomes thinner over time. Our body produces two essential proteins that keep skin firm and smooth—collagen and elastin. As we age, our collagen and elastin production declines year by year. This eventually leads to a loss of tightness, sagging skin, and the formation of fine lines and deeper creases.
Additionally, while the face is usually the focus of most of our anti-aging efforts, the rest of the skin on our body, including the arms, hands, belly, etc., isn’t exempt from wrinkling and aging, either.
2. Sun Exposure
It may be surprising to some that excessive or prolonged exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun is one of the leading causes of wrinkles. In fact, these powerful UV rays can break down collagen fibers and elastin in the skin and accelerate the aging process.
Areas frequently exposed to direct sunlight, such as the face, neck, and hands, often show signs of aging first.
So next time you lather on sunscreen, remember that it’s not only preventing skin cancer—it’s also protecting your skin from untimely wrinkles and age-related brown spots.
3. Repeated Facial Expressions
Every time you smile, frown, or squint, your facial muscles create grooves beneath the skin. Over time, as skin loses its elasticity, these grooves become permanent creases, leading to expression lines. Everyone has different mannerisms and therefore wrinkles can appear in different areas at different times for each individual. Common examples include crow’s feet around the eyes and frown lines on the forehead.
4. Lifestyle Factors
In addition to sun damage, age, and facial movements, certain lifestyle habits can accelerate the development of wrinkles:
- Smoking: Among other very harmful side effects, smoking reduces blood flow to the skin, depleting it of oxygen and essential nutrients. It can also damage collagen and elastin, making the skin less pliable and contributing to wrinkling.
- Poor Diet: The skin is a delicate organ, and well-balanced diet is important for healthy skin. A diet lacking in antioxidants, vitamins, and healthy fats can deprive the skin of the nutrients it needs to stay healthy and resilient. Without these nutrients, the skin can lose its laxity and have a harder time produces collagen and elastin, leading to wrinkles.
- Lack of Sleep: Poor sleep can lead to increased cortisol levels, a stress hormone that can cause inflammation, acne, and more. Additionally, sleep is essential for the body’s ability to repair cells, store moisture, and produce collagen.
5. Dehydration
Our bodies are made up of anywhere between 55% and 65% water and our skin cells need to be especially hydrated to remain soft and supple. When the skin is dehydrated, it can appear dull and dry, making fine lines and wrinkles more noticeable. Drinking plenty of water and using hydrating skincare products to lock in moisture can help prevent wrinkles.
6. Environmental Factors
Pollution and exposure to harsh environmental conditions can damage the skin barrier, leading to oxidative stress. Free radicals from pollution break down collagen and elastin, contributing to premature wrinkles.
7. Genetics
Unfortunately, some things are out of our control when it comes to winkles—your genes play a significant role in determining when and where wrinkles will appear. If your parents developed wrinkles at an early age, you might be more predisposed to wrinkles as well. Taking early preventative measures can help you stay ahead of the curve.
How to Prevent and Minimize Wrinkles
While you can’t completely avoid wrinkles, there are ways to minimize their appearance:
- Wear Sunscreen: Protect your skin from harmful UV rays by using a broad-spectrum sunscreen daily. Additionally, wear protective clothing like hats or long sleeves when possible.
- Moisturize: Keep your skin hydrated with quality moisturizers that can help lock in moisture. If you have sensitive skin, you’ll want to get a recommendation from your dermatologist.
- Lead a Healthy Lifestyle: The best thing to do for your skin in general is to avoid smoking, eat a balanced diet rich in antioxidants, and get plenty of sleep.
- Consider Using Retinoids: Skincare products containing retinoids or retinol can boost collagen production and improve skin texture. Retinoid creams can be pricey, however—you’ll want to ask your dermatologist if retinoids are okay for your skin type before purchasing any.
- Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water to maintain skin’s elasticity and plumpness.
Our top 5 professional cosmetic treatments for minimizing and preventing wrinkles.
If you’re serious about preventing wrinkles, there are also a wide range of cosmetic treatments that can help keep lines in check. Let’s take a look at a few of our favorite treatments for preventing wrinkles.
BOTOX & Dysport
Botox is perhaps the most widely known wrinkle-prevention treatment and is essentially a household name. It works by temporarily paralyzing the muscles underneath the skin that contract and expand with facial expressions, and is especially popular for treating forehead wrinkles, crow’s feet, and the “11’s” between the eyes—although it can be used to treat several additional areas of the face.
Dysport is very similar to Botox and uses the same neurotoxin to paralyze facial muscles, however the dosage and duration is slightly different. You can read more about the differences between Dysport and BOTOX here.
Ultimately your DermaBlue provider can help you determine which of these two treatments would work better for your goals.
It’s now more common for patients to begin botox treatments before age 30 when wrinkles start to form permanently. This is known as preventative Botox. Ask your injector if preventative botox is right for you.
Dermal Fillers
Dermal fillers can also reduce the appearance of wrinkles by adding volume to certain areas of the face—”smoker’s lines” around the mouth, the nasolabial folds, and chin are popular areas for using fillers to treat wrinkles.
Typically, Botox and Dysport are used to treat wrinkles and lines on the upper face, while dermal fillers are used to treat lines and wrinkles on the lower face. However, your DermaBlue injector will be able to help you decide between botox and fillers for wrinkles.
Laser Resurfacing
Laser resurfacing works by removing layers of skin and heating underlying tissue, stimulating collagen production and triggering the skin’s healing process. The new skin that regrows is firm and smooth, treating wrinkles and age spots.
RF Microneedling
Microneedling treats wrinkles by causing tiny punctures in the skin’s surface. This also triggers the body’s healing process and helps boost collagen production, which tightens the skin and reduces the appearance of lines and wrinkles.
Chemical Peels
Lastly, chemical peels are another great way to treat fine lines and wrinkles. This treatment involves a carefully customized solution of chemicals that remove the outermost layers of skin, causing healing and tightening, similar to microneedling and laser resurfacing.
Schedule your free wrinkle consultation at DermaBlue
Understanding both the causes of wrinkles and taking preventive measures can help you get a head start on the aging process and enjoy healthier, more youthful skin for longer. Whether through skincare routines, lifestyle changes, or professional treatments, proactive care can make a significant difference.
Schedule a free 30-minute consultation with our skilled providers to see if any of the treatments we offer are a good fit for your wrinkle prevention goals.
