Why am I getting wrinkles?
For my first post I thought I would tackle the question I get asked most frequently and that is:
“Why am I getting wrinkles and how do I slow down this aging process.”
To understand why we have wrinkles we first need to understand that there are a few different things happening to our skin as we age chronologically. The first is the natural, or intrinsic aging process that is happening in our skin. After the age of 20, our body produces about 1 percent less collagen per year. We also loose elastin. Both collagen and elastin are the essential proteins for the strength and elasticity of our skin. Less collagen and elastin over time means more fine lines and wrinkles, Next we produce less sebum, or natural oil, as we age. This makes our skin appear more dry and dull and enhances the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles as well. And lastly we loose subcutaneous fat which contributes to our skin looking more “saggy” over time.
While we can’t stop the natural aging process, there are several key extrinsic factors that we really can control that can greatly improve our skin’s appearance as we age. The first is the amount of UV exposure we have. We all know that UV light accelerated the aging process, breaks down collagen and elastin and contributes greatly to pigmentation on the skin. This is really the biggest culprit when it comes to premature aging. In addition, UV rays and pollution can cause unstable particles, called free- radicals, to build up in the skin, further contributing to skin damage and aging.
While too much sun exposure is something everyone knows about as being harmful to the skin, another factor we may not think about, but actually makes fine lines deeper, is the repetitive movements of our facial muscles. If you are one who is really expressive, or you are squinting in front of a computer for hours a day, you will notice that collagen is breaking down and the lines in these areas are going to get worse.
So how do we slow down the aging process and make sure we look our very best? Watching those facial muscles is important but can be difficult to control. We can, however, control our skin care. Definitely start fighting the aging process by making sure you have these 4 key ingredients in your daily skin care routine:
Sunscreen- Sunscreen, with an SPF of at least 30, applied to your face, neck, chest and hands every morning. Always remember to reapply throughout the day.
Antioxidants- Antioxidants, such as Vitamin C and Vitamin E applied to the face every morning (and sometimes at night as well) help protect the skin from dangerous free radical damage caused by the sun. Free radical damage contributes to sun spots, wrinkles, fine lines and skin cancers to name just a few of the problems they can contribute to.
A retinoid- I recommend all women over the age of 30 be on some form of a Retinol or Retin- A. The difference is that Retinol is over the counter, while Retin- a is a prescription. Both come in varying strengths and the strengths are based on individual tolerance. Retinoids help cell- turnover and promote collagen stimulation, which makes your skin look smoother, fresher and brighter.
A good moisturizer - Moisturizers will to keep the skin hydrated and supple. If you pick one with a hyaluronic acid, it will help plump up the skin improving the appearance of fine lines.
Now that you know why we get wrinkles and a few easy tips to fight them, you are on your way to more beautiful, youthful skin.
