HOW TO FEND OFF WRINKLES
We buy serums and creams to keep the creases at bay. But the bottom line is that eventually we’re going to get, well, a few lines. We’ve got the details on types of wrinkles, what can cause them, how to slow them, and why we should think of the ones that ultimately appear as art rather than imperfection.
The lines of our lives
The folds or furrows that might bedeck our faces fall into two categories: dynamic and static.
Dynamic wrinkles. These develop from repeated facial movements. If you pucker your lips around a straw frequently, for example, you might get lip lines.
Static wrinkles. These result from a loss of elasticity and the takeover of gravity. Wrinkles that come with jowls are static.
Dynamic wrinkles can become static wrinkles over time. Fine smile lines morph into more prominent nasolabial folds when our cheeks lose plumpness and do a slight plummet in middle age, for example.
Type of wrinkles
Most wrinkles tend to appear in the parts of the body which receive the most sun exposure, especially the face and neck, the back of the hands, and the arms.
Forehead lines: run horizontally across the top of the T-zone
Worry lines: create an “eleven” between the brows
Bunnies: etch the bridge of the nose horizontally between the eyes
Crow’s feet: radiate from the outer corners of the eyes
Laugh lines: also called nasolabial folds, create parenthesis around the upper lip
Lip lines: form vertical hatches around the perimeter of the mouth
Marionette lines: frame the chin vertically, and as the cheeks droop, jowl wrinkles form
Protect and repair
That bright orb that rises in the sky every day is one of the leading havoc-wreakers of skin damage, but we can’t spend our lives living under a rock. Arm yourself with sunscreen of at least SPF 35 or higher, make hats a part of your everyday clothing and sporting gear, and do not forget sunglasses that protect against UV rays.
The lines that will eventually etch your face will depend on several factors including genes and lifestyle. We can’t change our genes or the effects of gravity over time, but we can do our best to thwart skin damage that could lead to earlier or more prominent wrinkles.
Keep in mind that incidental sun exposure counts too and adds up. So be mindful of sun protection while walking the pooch, just as you would lying by the pool.
UV rays and other free radicals like air pollution cause oxidative stress to our bodies, which can, in turn, bring on the wrinkles. We can help combat and even repair daily skin damage by slathering on an antioxidant serum like vitamin C.
Make healthy lifestyle choices, when possible
No, you don’t have to swear off craft beer or get 12 hours of sleep nightly with cucumbers on your lids to do right by your skin. But you might find that people say you look younger than your years if you naturally incorporate good-for-you choices into your day.
Leave room for flexibility, fun, and personal needs and taste, of course. Wrinkle-reducing ways of life:
Eat a healthy diet
Reduce sugar intake
Stay hydrated
Lower alcohol consumption
Don’t smoke
Exercise
Rest up
Reduce stress
Our skin can benefit from what we put into our bods, but that doesn’t mean nachos are a no-no. Small changes, like adding these anti-aging foods to your snacks and meals can help. Sugar and booze consumption can accelerate skin aging, so indulge in moderation. Skip smoking, which is a major health hazard and can make you look older than you are, both from the chemical effects and the repeated pucker required to take a drag. Exercise, rest, and stress reduction, on the other hand, can lessen and potentially even reverse the visible and invisible signs of getting up in years.
Choose products based on your skin’s condition
Life can get hectic at times, making getting enough sleep and reducing stress easier said than done. And chronic illness and other situations can inhibit or prevent the ability to exercise. Plus, a diet packed with superfoods isn’t always the simplest or most affordable thing to come by. That’s why turning to a few product powerhouses can help.
No sign of wrinkles forming yet? Keep your product arsenal simple, if you like. Rosehip oil can be a multipurpose workhorse in your skin care routine, serving as a moisturiser, brightener, antioxidant, collagen booster, and more.
Starting to feel a bit dry with age? Tap into the elasticity-boosting and moisturising action of hyaluronic acid. This will be your bestie, keeping your skin pampered and plump.
Feel a sag coming on? Retinoids and vitamin C serums are excellent go-to crease fighters. These bad boys will battle sagging before it begins and reduce fine lines and under-eye circles. Look for a product that pairs these ingredients together.
Don’t forget to moisturise. Products that contain shea butter are a winning wrinkle weapon. SB’s soothing and smoothing properties repair damage from oxidative stress to prevent further creasing. And it softens and smooths existing lines.
Adjust crease-causing habits
Being mindful of certain wrinkle-making motions and incorporating changes can help you maintain smoother skin. Skin-saving efforts:
Don’t squish your face into your pillow.
Stop resting your chin, cheeks, or forehead in your hands.
Avoid rubbing your eyes.
Reduce squinting or furrowing your brow.
Sleeping on your back, for example, can help inhibit creasing. And watch out for resting your face in your hands while leaning forward at your desk or lying on your stomach. These positions can unnecessarily crease your skin.
Relax your forehead and brow while studying, reading, or working. You might find releasing these muscles eases headaches too.
If you’ve got itchy eyes from allergies or another issue, see your doc about the best solutions so you aren’t constantly clawing at your face. Have shades handy for bright days, and if you’re crinkling to get a closer look at things, get your peepers checked in case you need glasses, contacts, or an updated prescription.
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