How to Get Rid of Wrinkles
Deep wrinkles. We all want to laugh them off as a natural part of aging. But we're also desperate to get rid of those defining furrows. After all, they don't say "distinguished," they say "getting older."
Although you'll have to break out the big guns for deep or severe wrinkles (and possibly schedule a visit to a board certified dermatologist for assessment), there are plenty of ways to treat less severe wrinkles naturally. The following advice can help you smooth and tone your skin to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
So What Causes Wrinkles, Anyway?
Before you learn how to get rid of wrinkles, it helps to understand what causes them. Skin has collagen, which is a protein that keeps skin supple and firm. It also contains elastin and GAGs for firmness and hydration.
Around your 20th birthday, your body starts producing less of these proteins. Couple this slowdown in collagen production with another 10 or 20 years of aging, and wrinkles become much more prominent.
Other offenders that quicken facial aging include:
1. Natural Options to Reduce Signs of Aging
Along with using the right anti aging products, be sure to adapt some natural solutions in your life. The chances of facial cream working are better when you also implement these solutions at the same time.
And if you don’t have signs of aging yet but want to prevent wrinkles forming as you age, these are also great ways to do just that:
- Eat more gelatin. Remember that a decrease in collagen supply results in wrinkles? Try adding more gelatin in your diet. After all, gelatin is nothing more than cooked collagen in bone broths. If you take this route, make your own broth using the bones of pasture-raised animals. If that's not possible, look for gelatin supplements.
- Consider fermented cod liver oil. This type of oil has Vitamin D and Omega-3 fatty acids. Both of these combat the inflammation and sun damage that can occur. If you have a liver or kidney disorder, or if you are pregnant or nursing, ask a doctor before taking more Vitamin D.
- Get more sleep. Getting enough sleep each night provides a wealth of benefits. One of these benefits includes the production of human growth hormone, renewing skin. As you get older, you produce less human growth hormone, so getting sleep becomes even more important.
- Quit smoking cold turkey. Few things speed up the aging process like smoking cigarettes. These strip away the antioxidants your skin needs to stay healthy. Aside from wrinkles, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases become less likely when you quit smoking.
2. Topicals
Unless your anti wrinkle eye cream has at least one of the following ingredients, get rid of it -- it's not helping. Find yourself a moisturizer instead that contains either:
Vitamin C
Dermatologists go nuts for Vitamin C, and for good reason: It's directly responsible for resolving skin issues. These include sun damage, acne scars, dark marks, and rough patches. It can even reduce fine lines by stimulating collagen production.
Retinol
The only ingredient in skincare that stops collagen breakdown while increasing its production? Retinol. Simply put, it tricks the skin cells into believing they're much younger, so they work harder to create skin that isn't wrinkled. That means you'll notice scars, acne, and deep wrinkles going away over time.
Note that retinol isn't an immediate remedy; you need to take it consistently for three months. But once you do, you'll start to see permanent results. You may also experience more acne, flakiness, and dry skin during the first month. Stick with it, and you'll reap the benefits.
Again, if you are pregnant or may become pregnant, or if you are breastfeeding, talk with your doctor. Retinol is a derivative of Vitamin A, and excess of such can harm the baby. Likewise, you need to be careful in the sun, because retinol makes skin more likely to burn.
Regardless of which product you use, it's important to have realistic expectations. Both Vitamin C and retinol can provide exceptional results, both at reducing wrinkles and preventing future ones. But the deeper wrinkles are and the longer they've been there, the harder it is to get rid of them. The deepest-set wrinkles need a combination of treatment for the best results.
3. Surgical Procedures
When it comes to visiting a plastic surgeon or dermatologist for help with wrinkles, there are two main options to consider:
Botox
You've heard of it, but do you know exactly what it involves? This product paralyzes the “squinting” muscles temporarily, giving your fine lines and wrinkles a chance to soften. It only takes a few days to see results. As long as you work with an experienced dermatologist, you won't get that so-called Frozen Face Syndrome.
Of course, it is only a temporary solution. Your metabolism will dictate how often you need injections, but it's usually every 3 to 4 months. It can also be quite costly, fetching a $500 price each time.
Dermal Fillers
Like Botox, dermal fillers seek to relax the wrinkle lines. Instead of paralyzing the muscles, though, these plump the wrinkles out and fill the creases. Depending on your metabolism, they can last as little as 4 months and as long as one year. For much less than the cost of a facelift, you'll have fast results without painful recovery.
It's also possible to plump your cheeks, enhance sagging hands, and fill thin lips with dermal fillers. They're great for results, as well as ease and time of treatment.
Keep in mind, though, that there is a chance you could be allergic if you have never had it before. Small bumps can form beneath the skin, and these can end up permanent. Fillers that last a year are more likely to cause reactions.
Many kinds of fillers exist, but the most common is a hyaluronic acid filler. Other types include silicone, collagen wrinkle fillers, and autologous wrinkles. The latter removes fat from your own body, such as from the thighs, and injects it into the wrinkles.
4. Microneedling
Finally, microneedling is another option to consider. In this procedure, the specialist punctures small holes into the skin with a roller to help stimulate collagen. Essentially, you damage the skin to make younger skin.
Sound strange? Perhaps, but it's actually very effective for fast wrinkle treatment. It's only moderately irritating, as well. But you need to get treatments once a week for six weeks to see any kind of smoothing and brightening results. Fine line reduction can take even longer.
Most sensitive skin types should not try this treatment method. This includes those suffering from psoriasis, eczema, or rosacea.
Because surgical procedures are an extreme choice to start with, be sure to give natural and topical solutions a try first. ML Delicate Beauty offers two wonderful anti wrinkle products with proven results: One with Vitamin C, and one with retinol. Our gentle but effective products can help you become wrinkle free without the side effects or high price tag of surgical procedures!