A youthful appearance depends a lot on the lack of fine lines and sagging creases. Wrinkles are an unavoidable part of aging; every skin gets wrinkles as every skin ages. Aging is a natural process that develops wrinkles on the skin. Wrinkles develop more in the areas exposed to the sun, like the face, neck, hands, and arms. It starts appearing around the age of 40 and gets deeper as you age. Even acne scarring accentuates wrinkles later in life.
What Causes Wrinkles?
As you get older, the skin is less likely to produce collagen, proteins, and elastin. As a result, the skin gets drier, thinner, less elastic, and less resistant to environmental exposure, toxins, and dehydration. The lighter skin being less resistant leads to fine lines, creases, and wrinkles. Facial expressions such as frowning, lip biting, squinting and even smiling also result in fine lines on the face even at a young age. The youthful skin is more flexible and springs back, but old skin cannot bounce back as it is no longer flexible. The result is permanent creases and wrinkles. Various factors are responsible for the appearance of wrinkles ranging from exposure to the sun, dehydration, smoking to environmental and genetic factors.
What You Can Do To Prevent Wrinkles
Taking a diet rich in vitamins, drinking loads of water, not smoking, managing stress, and having little exposure to the sun all are essential aspects for having healthy, youthful, and wrinkle-free skin. Pampering your skin leads to wrinkle-free skin. If you are more conscious and like to delay the signs of aging, here is what you can easily do:
1. Use A Sunscreen
Continuous exposure to the sun damages the skin and leads to premature aging and wrinkles. Regular use of sunscreen slows down the signs of aging and prevents the skin from getting wrinkles. It is essential to protect your skin from the ultraviolet (UV) rays of the sun. Try to regularly apply SPF 30 and 50 to your skin before going out in the sun. Do not skip the sunscreen even on cloudy days, as UV rays can pass through clouds.
2. Moisturise your Skin
A moisturizer nourishes and hydrates your skin. It is as essential as water for the body. A Moisturiser can be used not just for the older skin but also for the young and baby skin. The more aged skin is drier and more prone to wrinkles; it must be moisturized to keep the skin hydrated. Apply a good amount of moisturizer after washing your face and hands. Make it a habit to apply it every time you wash your hands. A moisturizer that contains hyaluronic acid and vitamin C is super effective at preventing wrinkles.
3. Stay Hydrated
Drinking plenty of water is good not only for healthy and youthful skin but for your overall health. Water helps flush out toxins from our body, aids in digestion, regulates body temperature, keeps the skin hydrated and gives skin a natural glow. A higher intake of water results in well-hydrated skin and leaves positive effects on the skin.
4. Don’t Smoke
The skin gets its elasticity and strength from collagen and elastin. Tobacco smoke damages these two components of the skin and ages skin. Nicotine constricts your blood vessels and reduces the blood flow to your skin. This limits the skin to get enough oxygen and vitamin A as is required.
5. Eat Vitamin-Rich Food
Your skin is what you eat; try to eat vitamin-rich foods. Foods that have high anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties improve the elasticity of the skin. Such foods also protect the skin from damages, wrinkles, and premature aging. These foods are:
- Olive oil
- Green tea
- Salmon
- Avocados
- Pomegranates
- Flax seeds
- Vegetables like carrots, pumpkin, leafy greens, bell peppers, and broccoli
6. Sleep On Your Back
The sleeping position may affect the formation of wrinkles and form sleep lines on your face. People who sleep on their sides are prone to mechanical compression forces that may create wrinkles and distort facial skin. Try to sleep on your back rather than on your side or stomach. Sleeping on your side tends to develop wrinkles on your cheeks and chin.
7. Eat More Fish
Protein is one of the building blocks of healthy skin, and fish is an excellent source of protein. Fish contains Omega-3, which nourishes the skin and keeps it healthy and youthful. It also tends to prevent the formation of wrinkles and creases.
8. Massage
Facial massage is a good option to prevent wrinkles and fine lines. Massage your face daily for 3-5 minutes with coconut oil. Take some coconut oil on your fingers, apply it onto your face, and massage gently in circular motions. Apply firm pressure with your fingers on both sides of the face. Always move your fingers in circular strokes.