Tips for Reducing Wrinkles that Actually Work

Wrinkles: There’s nothing wrong with having wrinkles. In fact, a few facial lines can add character to your face. Still, it’s no secret that many of us wish to keep them in check, or at least reduce their appearance as much as possible. Once you have wrinkles, it can be difficult to reverse them.

Unless you want to pay for some form of medical or surgical intervention, the best way to reduce wrinkles is by preventing them before they start through creams and lifestyle changes.

Creams and Masks

Anti-wrinkle creams can help improve the appearance of your skin by temporarily plumping it, making fine lines and wrinkles less apparent. Here are some ingredients the offer results:

• Retinoids: As a vitamin A compound, this topical ingredient can help repair sun damage. Learn how retinoids work to reduce wrinkles in Nava MD’s guide.
• Hydroxy Acids: Using an AHA product (alpha-hydroxy acids) will remove dead skin cells and exfoliate your skin. It also stimulates repair and forms evenly pigmented skin.
• Vitamin C: A potent antioxidant that protects skin from free radicals, which cause wrinkles. It also protects the skin from damage, which is why it’s found in sunscreens.
• Coenzyme Q10: Helps reduce fine lines and wrinkles.
• Peptides: Stimulates collagen production to improve skin texture
• Grape Seed Extract: An antioxidant and anti-inflammatory ingredient.
• Niacinamide: Filled with B-3, it reduces water loss in the skin.

Your skincare routine should include a cleanser, toner, antioxidant serum, eye cream, spot treatment, moisturizer, and sunscreen, all in that order, in the morning. 

Night skincare routines should include a double cleanser regiment, one to wash off dirt and another for cleaning. This regiment should be followed by toners/essences/boosters, eye cream, treatments/serums/peels, and night cream, all in that order, to repair your skin at night.

Lifestyle Changes

Besides committing to a daily skincare regimen with creams and masks, there are several other lifestyle changes you can adopt to help your skin stay young. Consider doing the following:

• Sleep on your back. Sleeping on your side can distort the face and increase wrinkles.
• Get at least 8 hours of sleep per night and wash off your makeup before bed.
• Drink at least 8-12 glasses of water a day to reduce acne and improve skin elasticity.
• Eat foods that are rich in omega-3s and vitamins A, C, D, and E.
• Stop smoking and reduce the amount of alcohol you drink.
• Relax your face by doing deep breathing exercises and practicing mindfulness.
• Reduce stress through yoga and daily exercise. Walk at least 30-minutes per day.

It’s never too late to start improving your habits. Even if the above lifestyle changes don’t reduce the overall look of your wrinkles, they will still improve your overall quality of life.

Medical/Surgical Interventions

Once you start seeing visible signs of aging, there isn’t much you can do to remove what you already have unless you take the surgical route. Keep in mind that the following methods are expensive and temporary. If possible, start your skincare routine by 25 to improve your skin.

• A facelift removes layers of your skin and pulls it tighter in the eyes, lips, and forehead.
• Microneedling uses minuscule needles to inject collagen throughout the face.
• Since our nose grows as we age, a rhinoplasty can create a more youthful appearance.
• Fillers and injectables, like Botox, can smooth out the skin with natural proteins.
• The fat in our face reduces with age, so fat grafting can fill in sunken areas.
• To reduce wrinkles and remove imperfections, try a chemical peel for its exfoliation.

Wrinkles are an inevitable part of aging, but there are steps you can take to slow their progress and/or prevent new ones from forming. Speak to your dermatologists to explore your options.

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