Fresh Concept
Anti-Aging Potions and Procedures Wrinkle Reduction for a Smoother You! By Janette Calabro
There’s an old saying that age doesn’t bring wisdom—it just brings wrinkles. The truth is that age usually brings both, but age isn’t the only contributor to what some people lovingly call“character lines.”Let’s look at what causes wrinkles, who is most susceptible, and what we can do about it. Exfoliation ingredients are great in a wrinkle cream, and As we get older, the middle layer of our skin, the derthe gold standard for many dermatologists is retinoid, a form mis, starts to thin out. All of the elastin and collagen that of vitamin A. Simply put, retinol formulas are weaker versions makes our skin firm gets weaker, retaining less moisture than of retinoid that are available over the counter. Because the when we were younger. Environmental factors play a role in drugstore varieties contain a lower concentration of retinoid, wrinkles, too. Too much ultraviolet radiation from the sun (or they are less irritating to the skin but take longer to create tanning beds!) causes skin to age prematurely. Being dehythe effects we’re looking for. Retinols help soften wrinkles, drated is problematic, too, since the dermis is already losing help fade spots, and help the skin produce more collagen for moisture. Smoking also adds creases and wrinkles, as does smoother, lifted skin. Look for microdermabrasion scrubs and exposing your skin to polluted air. If you’re expressive with different strengths of retinols while shopping. Start slow to your face when you talk, smile, and emote, then all of those gauge how your skin responds. For those who want strong repeated facial movements put you at a higher risk for results faster, check with your dermatologist for a prescripwrinkled skin (not that you should let wrinkles stop you tion-strength retinoid. from smiling!). Other types of exfoliation for smoothing out lines contain Your skin type itself plays a role in how susceptible you alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) or beta hydroxy acid (BHA), both are to wrinkling. People with darker skin have more melaof which help generate new cells and plump skin. AHAs are tonin to combat the sun’s damaging rays. All other things water-soluble acids, usually made from fruit sugars, to help being equal, people with lighter skin tend to have more peel away the skin’s damaged surface. BHAs are great for wrinkles than similarly aged people with darker skin. acne-prone skin because they penetrate deeper into the skin, (Note that dermatologists advise people of all skin tones dissolving oils and smoothing out to wear sunblock.) As I mentioned above, fine wrinkles. Salicylic acid is also hydration counts when it comes to wrina great addition to speed the peelkles! That means that oily skin may make ing process; this helps fight both you prone to breakouts but will also acne and wrinkles. ward off wrinkles because the oils keep Regardless of skin type, the Hyaluronic acid is a big hitter skin moist. for fighting wrinkles. This acid is Regardless of skin type, the newest newest wrinkle reduction a clear, gooey substance naturalwrinkle reduction creams keep getting ly produced by the body. Found better. Moisturizing skin is not only good creams keep getting better. in skin and connective tissues, it for wrinkle prevention; it can also make keeps your tissues well lubricated. existing wrinkles look less severe. What You can find it in a supplement, should you look for in a face cream? Inbut most people use topical gredients matter! If your goal is to fight serums. Almost half of the hyaluronic acid in the body is free radicals (pollutants like smog, dust, and cigarette smoke) present in your skin, where it binds to water, helping to that cause damage to skin’s DNA, choose a formula with anretain moisture. tioxidants, which work to protect skin from those aggressors. Since anti-aging and wrinkle creams work on multiple Antioxidants can even repair damage already done. Look for levels, they can multitask with a combination of ingredients. creams, serums, toners, and lotions with vitamins C, E, and You might see improvement in a few days, or after a baseline A. Remember that these vitamins should be part of a healthy rule of four to six weeks, but deeper changes might take up diet in addition to being topically applied. to six months to come to fruition. Try taking before and after Collagen is a fibrous, supportive protein in our bones, pictures to see if you can tell the difference after treatment. ligaments, and skin. It gives our skin elasticity, strength, and Fighting wrinkles doesn’t come down to one magic potion. the ability to bounce back. As we age, our bodies produce Be sure to preserve and protect your skin, since it’s easier to less collagen; this deficit contributes to sagging and wrinkles. prevent wrinkles than get rid of them. Potions with collagen can help by lifting and smoothing the If creams and lotions aren’t producing the wrinkle-fightskin. Although these solutions are not permanent, keeping ing results you desire, it might be time to look at wrinkle skin sufficiently moisturized does have a cumulative effect reduction procedures like resurfacing or injectables. against wrinkling. 20
June 2021
