Want to keep your complexion smooth and youthful? Whilst wrinkles are a natural side effect of ageing, there are certain ways to help ward them off. By following our prevention and protection tips, you can ensure you’re getting the best skincare at home so that those wrinkles take a little longer to surface.
What Causes Wrinkles?
Wrinkles are a natural sign of ageing. However, some factors can cause them to appear earlier and deeper.
Sun Damage
Repeated exposure to sunlight can speed up your natural ageing process. The sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays can break down the connective tissue in your skin and damage collagen — a protein that keeps your skin plump and smooth.
Smoking & Diet
As mentioned, healthy, youthful-looking skin owes its glow to the production of collagen. Researchers have found that smoking can cause a considerable reduction in the body’s ability to produce new collagen. This, in turn, can speed up the ageing process.
Eating a healthy, balanced diet and drinking lots of water is usually recommended to reduce spots and dryness, so it’s hardly surprising that some studies have revealed your diet can help to reduce wrinkles. Research suggests that boosting your vitamin C intake can help regenerate skin cells and repair damage from UV exposure. With a vitamin-rich diet, your overall complexion is likely to appear smoother, plumper, and more youthful.
Lack of Moisture
A lack of moisture tends to shrivel up plump skin cells. This can lead to premature fine lines and wrinkles. Although there is still more research needed to decipher whether dry skin is a cause of an increased wrinkling process, it does give the appearance of more wrinkles. Dehydration of the skin makes cracks and wrinkles more obvious.
Skincare Solutions
Sun Damage
Use skincare products that have in-built sunscreen. Look for facial moisturisers and serums with a high SPF. Even if your foundation or concealer claims to have a specific SPF it’s good to also find a primer or moisturiser that can block UVA and UVB rays for maximum protection.
Smoking
This one is pretty simple in principle: don’t smoke. Of course, if you’re already a smoker, quitting is challenging and takes a lot of determination. Fortunately, there are now plenty of products available to help wean you off the cigarettes. If you’re keen to kick the habit, you can try an array of skin patches, chewing gum, inhalators, tablets and sprays designed to make it easier.
Lack of Moisture
To boost your skin’s hydration, use creams with moisturising ingredients to give your skin that added glow. Try moisturisers that contain emollients such as shea butter or cocoa butter. These ingredients lock in moisture, keeping your skin soft and smooth.
Diet
Citrus fruits, peppers, potatoes, broccoli, strawberries and blackcurrants are all great sources of vitamin C. Try to get around 40mg a day and remember to drink eight to ten glasses of water daily. Water keeps your body hydrated and helps maintain the elasticity of your skin. It’s worth noting that, because it becomes harder for your body to retain moisture as you age, a larger water intake helps keep both your body and your skin hydrated.
Skincare Treatments
Many factors impact your skin’s condition and level of wrinkles. Having an awareness of common causes and how to limit their effects can help you develop the best skincare routine at home. However, if you’re interested in reducing the appearance of established lines, you may wish to consider an anti-wrinkle skincare treatment, too.
From chemical peels to botox and light therapy, our friendly team at Helen Hunt Aesthetics have the skills and training to help you achieve the glowing, youthful complexion you desire. We can come up with a bespoke treatment that works for your individual skin type. If you’d like to learn more or to book a consultation, why not get in touch today?
