We all know that as we grow older, our skin naturally begins to show signs of aging, like wrinkles and brown spots. It happens to everyone. However, there are various ways in which you can treat and prevent wrinkles from appearing as noticeable. With the abundance of skin products and innovations available at the click of a button, there are a lot of options out there.

What causes wrinkles?

There are a couple of factors that come into play when discussing the maintenance of strong and supporting skin structure. The skin serves as a foundation of "fiber meshwork of proteins" that work to keep skin tight and firm. With age and particularly with photo(sun)damage, this meshwork begins to weaken, meaning there is less support to hold up the skin, making it sag and wrinkle. We also lose bone structure and have repositioning of our fat pads as we age as well. Additionally, as the skin begins thinning as we age, making it less structured.

Four tips to prevent them:

Sun protection/moisturizer:

One of the most important things you can do for your skin is to protect it. The sun beats down on us every day, acting as a gradual deteriorating agent for the health and look of our skin, as well as increasing our potential for skin cancers. This is what causes 80% or more of skin aging.  While moisturization can make your skin appear smoother, it is not a substitute for daily sun protection. Moisturizers can help your skin look and feel better. As a result, applying SPF and moisturizer is very important for skin health and appearance. The Daily is just one of the many options blending both to maximize your protection! A full sun protection program includes not only a daily sunscreen (reapplying every 2 hours when out in the sun), brimmed hat, sunglasses, shirt, shade, and avoiding mid-day sun. 

Diet:

Dr. Goldstein, Get Mr. co-founder has written extensively regarding the importance of variety, skin health and diet.

You are what you eat. We hear this a lot, and it obviously isn't meant to be taken literally, but it does make a strong, but simple point. Eating a variety of fresh, hearty foods makes you much healthier while eating fat, greasy foods, lots of sodium and sugar as well as packaged foods are much worse for the health of your body. In this day and age, it is much easier to succumb to the latter, but keep in mind it does take a toll. Once in a while, it's okay, but cooking at home is not only healthier, it's also cheaper.

Eating foods like processed meats contain sodium, saturated fats, and sulfite, which weaken collagen in the skin. Things cooked in high temperatures like french fries also have a negative effect on skin health as free radicals are produced when cooking at such degrees. This causes cellular damage.

Alcohol and smoking:

I'll admit it. After a long day at work, sitting down and having a glass of wine or a cold beer is a relaxing way to settle down. However, having an excess of alcohol or tobacco not only brings about mental detriments, it also can negatively affect your body and skin. According to the US National Library of Medicine at this site, there is a strong correlation between alcohol consumption and eye puffiness, facial volume degradation, and effects on blood vessels in the cheeks. They also add that tobacco use results in even worse effects, including harsher, decreased facial volume, decreased lip volume, visible blood vessels in the cheeks, and overall aging.

Conclusion:

Our bodies are our vessels. As we continue living and moving forward, keeping these vessels in their best shape is of utmost importance. With these thoughts and tips in mind, putting your health first is the best way to prevent wrinkles and promote clear, strong, supported skin. Protecting with a great sun protection program and moisturizing your skin, making sure you're drinking enough water, what you're putting in your body and intoxicating substances are all crucial factors to skin health, and regulating will surely do you good.

Cover photo by Bee Naturalles on Unsplash