It’s a fact of life: as people age, they develop wrinkles. However, not everybody starts seeing wrinkles at the same age. Additionally, the severity and types of wrinkles that one person develops may be very different from what another person develops even if the individuals are the same age. To account for this discrepancy, we need to answer the question, “Why do people get wrinkles?”
Why Do People Get Wrinkles?
When skin lacks elasticity or a support structure (or a combination of the two), wrinkles and fine lines can develop. In addition, dry and thin skin can contribute to the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. Although aging bears the blame for all of these issues, some actions and choices can accelerate the processes that lead to these problems.
Collagen, a protein, provides a support structure for your skin. It props up young, healthy skin, but as you age and your collagen production slows, your skin will lack a complete support structure. This results in sagging skin and skin that folds into unsupported areas.
Elastin, another important protein for your skin, provides elasticity. After you smile or squint, elastin helps the skin snap back into shape. Unfortunately, as you age, elastin becomes damaged, so skin does not readily revert back to its previous state. Additionally, elastin damage can cause long fibers to replace short fibers, forming frown lines and smile lines.
Aging also results in a slower rate of cell division, which causes the dermis (your top layer of skin) to thin. This makes it more difficult to keep skin hydrated. Thin, dry skin is more prone to settle into areas that are not supported by collagen.
How to Prevent Wrinkles
The best offense is a good defense, so we urge you to stave off wrinkles and fine lines for as long as possible. It can take years for skin damage to show up, but when it does, you cannot easily reverse it.
To prevent wrinkles, reduce your skin’s exposure to the sun. Wear protective clothing, always apply (and reapply) an effective sunscreen, and limit your time outdoors on sunny days. Next, don’t smoke. Like sun exposure, smoking can damage your collagen and elastin. It can also restrict blood flow, which reduces the rate that cells turn over. Finally, use a good skincare routine to keep your skin healthy and hydrated. If you invest in skincare products with quality ingredients, you can prevent premature aging and further protect your skin.
Reducing the Appearance of Wrinkles
Once you start seeing wrinkles and fine lines, you can still do a lot to reduce their appearance. Simply ensuring that your skin is hydrated can go a long way towards diminishing the appearance of wrinkles, because hydrated skin is plumper and fuller than dry skin. In addition, you might consider investing in a skincare line formulated to improve collagen and elastin production and stimulate cell turnover rates.
You can also treat facial wrinkles using neurotoxins like Botox and Dysport. Injected into the muscles, relaxing and elongating them, neurotoxins help the wrinkles stretch out and form a smoother and more youthful appearance. Fillers are another option. They restore volume loss and fill in hollow spots, gently erasing the appearance of wrinkles. Finally, collagen stimulators can replace lost collagen and provide a framework to hold hyaluronic acid (which attracts water molecules, restoring skin moisture) and elastin.
Preventing and reducing wrinkles all starts with learning the answer to the question, “Why do people get wrinkles?” Now that you understand the process, you can take confident steps to prevent wrinkles in the future.
If you’re interested in receiving a neurotoxin or filler treatment to reduce the appearance of your facial wrinkles, please contact DermaHealth Laser & Skin Care Clinic. Based in Springfield, Missouri, our experienced and dedicated staff would be happy to help you soften the aging process. To get started, simply give us a call at 417-447-7777 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.
