Aging is part of living. But it is natural to not want age to show. This is the reason we try to reduce the wrinkles that appear on our faces.
As we grow older, our skin starts to fold and crease. It may be a laugh line or crow’s feet around the eyes. Wrinkles have no timeline. They may appear in your 20s or show up in your 50s. But we all want to keep wrinkles at bay for as long as we can. The good news is that this is not impossible, you can reduce wrinkles naturally letting you age gracefully.
Why do wrinkles occur?
1. Age
Wrinkles go hand in hand with getting older. The skin loses moisture and elasticity. It stretches less and repairs itself much slower. This makes it easy for lines and ridges to form underneath the skin.
2. Genetics
The development of collagen and elastin fibers are determined by our genetics. You are more likely to have wrinkles at an early age if one of your parents did.
3. Exposure to Ultraviolet light
Ultraviolet (UV) light causes elastin fibers and collagen in the skin to break down. Elastin fibers and collagen support the skin and reduce wrinkles. But when they are damaged, the skin becomes weak and starts to sag.
4. Smoking
Smoking causes permanent lines on the face. Over time, muscles that contract when you inhale do not return back to their original position.
Smoking releases free radicals into your body. Free radicals are unstable molecules that cause damage in the body. And yes, they are as dangerous as they sound.
5. Habitual facial expressions
We all have that one facial expression. It might be a smile, frown or a furrowing of the brows. Whatever it is, it can make your skin wrinkle faster. When you make a particular facial expression, a groove forms under the skin’s surface.
The skin usually comes back to the original position. But this becomes less likely as you get older because of the skin loss of elasticity, leaving lines that never go away.
6. Dehydration
Water is a necessity to reduce wrinkles. When you are dehydrated, your skin easily shows signs of aging like creases and loss of elasticity. The only way to stop your skin from drying out is to drink lots of water.
7. Reduced moisture
Drinking water alone will not stop your skin from getting dehydrated. Moisturizing your face is needed to introduce the dewiness your skin needs from the outside. Dry skin will lead to the breakdown of collagen making it easier for fine lines and wrinkles to appear.
Where do wrinkles appear on the face?
Wrinkles are more likely to show up on some parts of your face than others. Knowing the hot spots is the first step to reducing wrinkles on your face.
1. On the forehead
These horizontal lines on the forehead are usually called worry or burrowed lines.
2. Between the brows
Worry/Frown lines form in between the bows and make you look like you always have something on your mind.
3. Underneath the eyes
Wrinkles underneath the eyes are called tear triangles. They look like eye bags.
4. Sides of the nose
Bunny lines are lines that form on the nose underneath the eyes.
5. By the corners of the eyes
Crow’s feet find their home by the side of the eyes and show up when you smile.
6. Around the upper lip
Laughing is not a bad thing but it leaves permanent lines called laugh lines.
7. On the chin
The chin is not immune from mental creases that appear under the bottom lip.
What causes premature facial wrinkles?
Wrinkles might start to show up years before you expect them. In some cases, premature wrinkling may be due to factors beyond your control. Sometimes, it is beyond your control. Here are some reasons wrinkles might come calling early
1. Eating poorly
Your skin benefits when you eat well and it suffers when it lacks the nutrients it needs. Eating processed foods high in carbs and not getting enough fresh fruits and vegetables is bad for your skin.
2. Drinking too much
Alcohol does taste great but the more you drink, the more dehydrated your body becomes. You do not have to give up Happy Hour but it is easier to reduce wrinkles on your face when you drink less.
3. Not using sunscreen
Protecting your skin from the ultraviolet light of the sound reduce wrinkles on the face drastically. Ultraviolet rays damage your skin cells making you wrinkle-prone.
4. Sleeping with makeup
Makeup can make you look stunning but it can also harm your skin if it is too heavy or stays on for too long.
5. Repeated muscle motions
A smile. A frown. Furrowing the brows. All these can leave lines on your face. These lines stay on even when your face is back to normal. Although it is impossible to be expressionless, you can reduce wrinkles on the face by other means.
6. Pollution
Chemicals in the air affect your skin the same way smoking does. Toxic air cause free radicals to damage collagen and elastin fibers in the skin.
7. Stress
Pressure accompanies adult life. But this is also one of the ways wrinkles creep in. You can reduce wrinkles on the face caused by stress with hours of good rest.
8. Sleeping on your face
So maybe you are getting enough sleep but it is all for nothing if you do not place your face in the right position. Sleeping on your back is the best way to reduce wrinkles. That way there is no pressure on your face that will cause your muscles to weaken.
10 effective tips and treatments for wrinkle removal
Include the following in your basic skincare routine:
1. Take care of your skin
The first step to reduce wrinkles is to protect your skin. Fortify it against threats like UV light, pollution, and dehydration. Wear a hat when you have to go out into the sun.
2. Have a skincare routine
You can reduce wrinkles on your face with consistent care. Always cleanse, moisturize and tone your skin daily. This will make your skin look young and soft. Using collagen based products is recommended. Additionally, include good quality anti-ageing skincare products in your daily care regime.
3. Hydrate
Proper hydration and wrinkle-free skin go together. Drinking water is necessary for refreshing your body and maintaining skin elasticity. Try to drink at least 8 cups of water a day to reduce wrinkles. Hydrating masks and lotions are a good way to prevent premature wrinkles.
4. Eat right
Start eating less processed foods. Increase your intake of vegetables and fruits. Eating right reduces wrinkles naturally. Fruits and vegetables give your skin the vitamins and minerals it needs to stay young and supple. Make sure to include antioxidants in your food to fight free radicals.
5. Avoid the sun
You will have to give up long days at the beach soaking up the sun. The ultraviolet rays from the sun are not good for your skin. To reduce wrinkles, stay protected with sunscreen and spend fewer hours in the sun.
6. Moisturize
Dry skin is a precursor to wrinkling. To reduce wrinkles, you should include moisturization in your skincare routine. It is easier for lines and creases to show under dry skin than on supple skin.
7. Sleep the right way
Your sleep is very important for beauty. Sleep reduces wrinkles because the skin repairs itself while you work.
Sleeping in any position but on your back is bad for you. Wrinkles on the face are reduced when your skin is not compressed by constant pressure from lying on it.
8. Watch your facial expressions
Our faces will always contort into new shapes based on our feelings. To reduce wrinkles naturally, try to frown and worry less. Smile lines and laugh lines are not the type of wrinkles you should worry about.
9. Wear sunscreen
Sunscreen protects your skin from the sun’s harsh rays. If your job keeps you out in the sun all day or even if you are exposed to the sun for only a few minutes. UV rays can get through the clouds and glass so nowhere is safe. A broad-spectrum SPF sunscreen will prevent wrinkles from appearing on your face.
10. Exercise
Cardio workouts improve your circulation and increase collagen production. Be conscious of your facial expressions during exercise so that you do not cause lines to form.
Is natural wrinkle treatment possible?
Treating wrinkles with natural remedies is possible and very effective. Options range from the use of Vitamin C serums to the inclusion of antioxidants in the diet. The effects of natural treatments may take longer to show but they are preferable because they are low risk and chemical-free.
Natural remedies for wrinkles
Nature has provided many remedies for wrinkles. Here are some simple ways to prevent wrinkle formation.
1. Use oils for wrinkle reduction
The use of essential and carrier oils can enhance collagen production and prevent wrinkle formation.
2. Use vitamin C daily
Vitamin C is an elixir for the skin. It boosts collagen and elastin production keeping your skin firm. Vitamin C also is effective against UV light, neutralizing free radicals.
3. Eat foods rich in antioxidants
A diet with food rich in antioxidants is beneficial in the fight against wrinkles. Antioxidants fight free radicals that are harmful to your skin.
4. Homemade face masks
Homemade face masks work wonders for your skin. The nutrients in these homemade masks firm up the skin and also reverse skin damage.
Final thoughts
The aforementioned tips and natural remedies can work effectively to reduce wrinkle lines from your skin. That said, a sure way to reduce wrinkles is to worry about them less. Aging is inevitable. So it is important to realize that a laugh line or a smile line might not be a bad thing after all.