Facial wrinkles often occur as you grow older, and this is because your skin loses its elasticity and produces less natural oils, making it more fragile. Likewise, reduced fats in your skin’s deeper layers cause the skin to sag and wrinkle.
However, this condition isn’t limited to elderly people. Constant exposure to UV light, smoking, and repeated facial expressions (smiling, frowning, squinting) can cause facial wrinkles over time. Admittedly, facial wrinkles can make you look and feel older, diminishing your confidence. Fortunately, you can reduce them with the right techniques. Here are a few you can consider for the best results.
- Avoid prolonged exposure to the sun
The sun offers many benefits for your health. For example, you can get your daily dose of vitamin D, which regulates the amount of phosphate and calcium in your body. These nutrients keep your muscles, bone, and teeth healthy. Furthermore, sunlight triggers your brain to release serotonin, boosting your mood and increasing your focus.
However, overindulgence can be detrimental, and sunlight is no exception. Constant exposure to the sun can expose your skin to UV rays, damaging your skin. These rays often disrupt the skin’s delicate processes, affecting its appearance and growth. Your skin can become less elastic, leathery, thickened, or thinned.
Also, prolonged exposure can cause your skin to age faster, causing wrinkles. While the skin can heal itself, long-term damage can linger. For example, UV rays can alter your skin cells’ DNA, increasing your risk of developing skin cancer. Therefore, staying away from direct sunlight for a prolonged period is beneficial. If you have to step outside, ensure that you use an umbrella to keep you from the harmful rays. Alternatively, use sunscreen anytime you step out; options with an SPF of 15 or more will be ideal, so keep this in mind. Experts also advise staying in shaded areas outdoors and wearing a hat and sunglasses to avoid exposing your face to the sun.
- Prioritize hydration
It’s worth noting that the skin is an organ and needs water to function properly. Therefore, you risk developing dry and flaky skin without proper hydration. And this can accelerate aging and cause wrinkles. On the other hand, taking enough water can allow your skin to retain moisture, increasing its elasticity and reducing wrinkles. Additionally, staying hydrated helps your digestive system expel toxins from your body. And this can improve your condition while preventing skin conditions like psoriasis and eczema. Drinking enough water can also prevent your pores from clogging by toxins, reducing your risks of developing pimples or acne. Seeing these benefits, you want to keep hydrated if you haven’t already.
Knowing your water needs is the first step to ensuring proper hydration. While the recommended water limit is eight cups, you may need more if you do field work, live in a hotter area, or exercise more. Admittedly, you may find it challenging to drink water regularly. Fortunately, setting and tracking SMART goals can ensure you consume the water you need daily. Alternatively, move around with a reusable water bottle to always top up anytime. Drinking a glass before meals and replacing other beverages with water can also be beneficial.
- Moisturize your face
Another way to retain a youthful face is to moisturize it daily. Like water, facial moisturizers protect your skin from drying out and cracking in extreme temperatures. Likewise, you can rest assured that your face wouldn’t have discolorations, dark spots, redness, and other blemishes. Some products have self-tanning agents and tints to hide these blemishes, so feel free to consider this. You should also note that facial moisturizers act as barriers on the skin’s surface, preventing UV rays, toxins, and other damaging pollutants from destroying skin cells. While these benefits are great, you can reap the full benefits by knowing how to properly moisturize your face.
Experts recommend applying the products to your face immediately after cleansing to prevent your skin from drying out immediately. As a tip, keep your skin slightly damp to enable the product to penetrate your skin. Alternatively, exfoliating with a cotton pad or baby washcloth after washing your face daily can eliminate dead skin that may prevent your skin from absorbing the products. Moisturizing your face morning and night is also effective, so keep this in mind. Speaking of moisturizers, invest in products best suited for your skin. Ensure your favorite brands contain ceramides, SPF, hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and non-comedogenic. You should also consider products with vitamins, occlusives, and humectants.
- Use retinoids
Retinoids are popular among skincare enthusiasts and for good reasons. They are obtained from vitamin A and are known to boost collagen production. This, in turn, plumps the skin and gives it a youthful appearance. Retinoids can also create blood vessels in the skin, promoting skin regeneration and a more supple texture. Indeed, these beneficial products were first introduced in 1971 as a treatment for acne. However, they have become a go-to solution for preventing wrinkles, psoriasis, and pigmentation spots. While retinoids and retinol are used interchangeably, they are slightly different. Retinol is relatively weaker and sold as OTC items. On the other hand, retinoids are more potent and are sold based on dermatologists’ prescriptions.
Despite their benefits, retinoids also come with side effects. For instance, you may experience redness, scaling, burning, and other skin irritations. And you can expect these reactions to be more pronounced if the product is more concentrated. The good news is your skin will build tolerance over time and become more resilient to these side effects. And you would keep enjoying the full benefits of retinoids. You can start with smaller amounts to test your tolerance level and increase it gradually until you can handle it.
- Pay attention to your diet
Your meals can also affect your skin, making it essential to consume the right options. Notably, foods with high-sugar content can trigger premature aging, acne breakouts, and inflammation. Furthermore, junk foods have a higher fat concentration, making it difficult to eliminate toxins. This can cause your face to become puffy. Oxidation of sugar and fats can lead to hyperpigmentation and uneven skin tone, so keep this in mind. Therefore, switching to healthier food options is essential for maintaining healthy and youthful skin. Ensure you choose meals with essential nutrients and minerals such as vitamins A, E, and C, omega-3 fatty acids, collagen, selenium, copper, and zinc.
Fortunately, several meals with these nutrients are available, and you can incorporate them into your daily meals. For instance, salmon, herring, and mackerel contain omega-3 acids and vitamin E, making them excellent food options. And you can create tasty meals with them, so keep this in mind. Other foods worth considering are walnuts, avocados, sweet potatoes, sunflower seeds, broccoli, bell peppers, red grapes, tomatoes, soy, and so on.
- Consider medical treatment
Medical treatment may be the best option to reduce wrinkles, especially if they are caused by age. And several options are available due to technological advancement, and you can choose one that suits your needs and preferences. For example, you can restore a natural look by getting a simple mini facelift. You can also consider dermabrasion, which can have side effects like scarring and permanent discoloration. However, consulting an experienced professional can prevent these, so keep this in mind. Laser resurfacing may be the right procedure to boost your skin’s collagen production. Alternatively, botox and wrinkle fillers can be injected into certain parts of your face to relax frown lines and other wrinkles. However, stick to a certified doctor to prevent a botched procedure. You can also consider other treatments like photodynamic rejuvenation, microdermabrasion, and ultrasound therapy.
Thank you for reading!
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