Wrinkles are expected. We all know that we’ll get them as we age. Because we commonly associate wrinkles with the natural aging process, we may overlook the fact that biological age is only one of several factors that contribute to the formation of lines and creases on the skin. Here we offer a few facts about wrinkles that may help you navigate their timing on your body.
- There are two kinds of wrinkles, dynamic and static. Dynamic wrinkles are the lines we see when we frown, squint, or laugh. When the face is at rest, dynamic wrinkles disappear. Static wrinkles are those that we see all the time. These creases become more visible over time due to the loss of collagen and elastin in the skin.
- One of the primary factors in premature aging is sun damage. It doesn’t matter how old you are, your skin can be well-supported by applying broad-spectrum sunscreen on a daily basis. Every time you go out unprotected, ultraviolet light in sunshine is breaking down the collagen your skin needs to remain firm and supple.
- Diet can help or harm the body, including the skin. In particular, studies show that glycation, the stiffening of protein fibers, can result from a high-sugar diet. On the other hand, supplements and foods rich in vitamin C and E can foster collagen production and tissue resilience.
- Smoking harms the body in several ways. On a cosmetic level, the nicotine in cigarettes leaches oxygen from dermal tissue. Without adequate oxygenation, tissue degrades. This makes it more susceptible to the other toxic chemicals in cigarette smoke. Kicking a cigarette habit offers more benefits than just looking better, but this is certainly not insignificant. To repair some of the damage done by smoking, one can use topical products with retinol, antioxidants, and vitamins C and E. Oral vitamin supplementation is also beneficial.
Managing the Signs of Aging
Today, we have numerous ways to promote graceful aging without surgery. Daily skin care using high-quality ingredients is a good place to start. Our team can help you determine which products may be best suited to your skin’s needs. To complement a skin care regimen, we may also suggest wrinkle-smoothing treatments such as Botox, dermal fillers, chemical peels, or photo facials.
Take control of your aging skin. Schedule a consultation in our Spring Lake office at (732) 449-0167.
