Even though it's impossible to completely remove wrinkles on your skin, especially deep wrinkles, you can still reduce their appearance. By living a healthy lifestyle and using effective anti-wrinkle treatments, you can reduce the appearance of wrinkles while preventing deep wrinkles from appearing on your face.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Taking Care of Skin Properly
Step 1. Use sunscreen
The results show that the number 1 cause of wrinkles is sunlight. Therefore, protect your skin with a broad-spectrum sunscreen (UVA and UVB) and an SPF of at least 30. There is no need to use a sunscreen with an SPF of more than 50.
- You still have to use sunscreen even if the weather is not hot. Even if your skin is tan, it doesn't mean you're protected from the sun. Use sunscreen no matter the situation!
- The use of sunscreen will not only protect the skin from wrinkles, but also reduce the risk of skin cancer.
- Reapply sunscreen at least every 2 hours.
Step 2. Wash your face every day
The frequency of washing the face recommended by the doctor is 2 times a day, no more. Washing your face too often can strip away its natural oils and moisture, and actually make wrinkles appear deeper, and may even trigger the appearance of new ones.
- Even if you have oily skin, you don't need to wash it more than twice a day as it can irritate your skin, and if you have acne, it can make it worse.
- People with mature skin (age 40 years and over) may wash their face once at night with a cleanser, and simply wash it off with cold water in the morning.
Step 3. Use a toner after washing your face
Using a toner can help balance the pH of the skin and make it look healthier. However, be sure to avoid toners that contain alcohol as they can dry out your skin.
Step 4. Use a high-quality moisturizer that targets wrinkles
There are many moisturizers that contain efficacious ingredients to treat and prevent wrinkles. Use moisturizer on the face 2 times a day, once in the morning and evening after washing your face.
There is not much evidence to show the difference between day and night creams. Even so, some of the ingredients in moisturizers will not activate when exposed to the sun. For example, retinol, an effective wrinkle-fighting ingredient, will not activate when exposed to sunlight, as will most prescription drugs
Step 5. Use a good eye cream
The skin around the eyes is different from the skin on the other parts of the face. The skin around the eyes is thinner and more sensitive, making it easier to wrinkle and wrinkle. Therefore, it's a good idea to use an eye cream in addition to your regular facial moisturizer.
Look for eye creams that contain collagen, vitamin C, peptides, and/or retinol
Part 2 of 3: Choosing the Right Treatment
Step 1. Treat wrinkles with retinoids
Some health practitioners claim that retinol is the best treatment that has been proven to reduce wrinkles and other signs of aging. At first, medications containing retinoids can cause redness and peeling of the skin. However, once this peeling stops, the wrinkles on the skin should decrease. You can buy retinoid cream with a doctor's prescription.
- Many over-the-counter skin care brands offer creams that contain retinol, another form of retinoid that is lighter on the skin. The quality of this kind of cream varies. So you have to know what to pay attention to.
- Retinol breaks down when exposed to air and light. So, choose products with packaging that can protect them from air and light. Look for product brands that offer retinol treatments in individual capsules, frosted glass bottles with airtight lids, or aluminum containers.
Step 2. Use skin care products that contain idebenone
Idebenone is a powerful antioxidant. Recent research has shown that topical use of idebenone for 6 weeks can reduce wrinkles and fine lines by as much as 29%.
Step 3. Use skin care products that contain alpha hydroxy acids
Although the results are not the same, alpha hydroxy acids will not cause skin irritation like retinoids. However, this skin treatment can still disguise wrinkles.
Step 4. Use skin care products that contain antioxidants
Skin care products containing vitamins A, C, and E plus beta carotene can slightly reduce wrinkles.
Step 5. Try a peeling treatment
There are various skin peels that can be purchased either with or without a doctor's prescription. Note that the deeper the peeling effect, the greater the risk of skin irritation. Peeling can also cause scarring and discoloration of the skin.
Step 6. Peeling Glycolic acid acts on the skin's surface and can slightly reduce fine lines.
- Peeling with salicylic acid and trichloroacetic acid can work more deeply than glycolic acid, making it more effective at removing fine lines.
- Consult how to use peeling on the skin before undergoing the procedure so that you can prepare everything. Some peels require extra care afterward, such as staying out of the sun for a few days.
Step 7. Consider laser resurfacing
Lasers can stimulate collagen production, making the skin look fuller. If the wrinkles on your skin are very deep, and no other treatment can help, consult a doctor for laser resurfacing.
Step 8. Consult a healthcare professional
If you've tried everything but still have trouble reducing or removing wrinkles, talk to your doctor or dermatologist. A healthcare professional can help you choose the right wrinkle removal treatment, for example, using medications, medical procedures, or prescription creams.
Part 3 of 3: Adjusting Your Lifestyle
Step 1. Avoid the sun
There are dozens of studies that state that the number 1 cause of wrinkles is sunlight. One study even found that sun exposure was stronger than heredity in causing wrinkles. So, protecting the skin is the best step!
- Make sure to protect your skin if you have to be out in the sun, wear sunglasses, a hat, and sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30.
- In particular, avoid outdoor activities between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. when the sun is very hot.
Step 2. Don't smoke
If you smoke, we have one more reason for you to quit: there are many studies showing that cigarette smoke can make your skin age, mainly because it releases enzymes that destroy collagen and elastin (hormones that are important for maintaining youthful skin).
Step 3. Avoid alcohol
Excessive alcohol consumption can damage the blood vessels in the skin. In addition, alcohol can also damage the liver which consequently triggers wrinkles.
Step 4. Drink water as needed
When the body is dehydrated, wrinkles will appear deeper. Adequate body fluids will make your skin look healthy. If you don't know how much water to drink, divide your weight (in pounds) by 2. That's the amount of water (in ounces) you should drink each day. Note: 1 pound is equivalent to about 0.45 kg, and 1 ounce is equivalent to about 30 ml.
- Women weighing 150 pounds (about 68 kg) should drink 75 ounces (about 2,250 ml) of water every day.
- If you exercise frequently, or live in a hot climate (which results in sweating a lot), you should drink more water.
- An accurate way to tell if you're drinking enough water is to look at the color of your urine. If it's bright yellow or has a strong odor, you're most likely not drinking enough water.
Step 5. Eat healthy foods that have anti-inflammatory properties
Some doctors attribute inflammation to poor skin quality (including wrinkles) as well as diseases such as cancer and heart disease. Try a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, raw nuts, whole grains, and low-fat protein.
Avoid foods that are rich in sugar content, especially processed foods
Step 6. Consume enough antioxidants
Antioxidants such as vitamins E, C, A, and B are very important for healthy skin. To ensure you are getting enough of this vitamin, eat 5-7 servings of fruits and vegetables each day.
- If you don't know where to start, start by eating the following foods: tomatoes, oranges, green leafy vegetables, and carrots.
- In addition to eating foods rich in vitamin C, using vitamin C in the form of a cream can also help reduce the appearance of wrinkles. The most potent form of vitamin C is L-ascorbic acid, look for this ingredient in face creams.
Step 7. Consume enough vitamin K
Several studies have found a link between vitamin K and increased skin elasticity. Vitamin K is found in many green leafy vegetables such as kale, spinach, and broccoli.
Step 8. Get enough sleep
Lack of sleep can cause the body to produce cortisol which will damage skin cells. However, if you get enough sleep, the body will produce more human growth hormone (HGH) which makes the skin appear thicker and more elastic.
- The average adult needs 7-9 hours of sleep every night. Meanwhile, teens need 8.5-9.5 hours of sleep every night.
- Try to sleep on your back. Sleeping in this position can help prevent wrinkles on your cheeks and chin (as if you sleep on your side), or on your forehead (if you sleep on your stomach).
Step 9. Reduce stress
Cortisol, which can damage skin cells and promote the appearance of wrinkles, is a major stress hormone. In addition, certain facial expressions can also cause deep wrinkles, for example, lines around the lips and forehead when frowning, and wrinkles in the eyebrows. Try these techniques to reduce stress:
- Meditate for a few minutes every day. Sit in an upright position on a bench or sit cross-legged on the floor. Close your eyes and focus by reciting a mantra over and over, such as "I feel good" or "Insert love and let out hate." Place one hand gently on your stomach so you remember to breathe deeply.
- Practice deep breathing techniques. Sit up straight, close your eyes and place your hands on your stomach. Inhale slowly through your nose while imagining that you are inflating the balloon in your stomach. Exhale slowly through your mouth paying attention to how your body feels as the breath flows out.
- Pamper yourself. Light a candle and prepare warm water with lavender oil to soak and reduce stress. Walk slowly while focusing on your surroundings. Watch 10 minute funny animal videos. Try doing any activity that makes you feel calmer.
Tips
- Make use of makeup to help reduce the appearance of wrinkles, such as moisturizer, silicone primer before applying foundation, light foundation that is rich in moisture, then finish by applying a little mineral powder. Use natural makeup, but emphasize the area around the eyes and apply an anti-fade lipstick that won't sink into the lines around the lips.
- Many people say that silk and satin pillowcases can help reduce and prevent wrinkles. However, there is no scientific evidence to support this claim specifically.
- If you can only do one thing to prevent wrinkles, use sunscreen.
- Gaining a little weight can help make your skin look fuller as well as reduce wrinkles and make you look younger, especially for women over 40. That doesn't mean you have to gain weight. However, you should consider this if you want to lose weight.
- Some people recommend sleeping without a pillow to reduce wrinkles on the face.
Warning
- Be careful when choosing sunscreen as some of them contain potentially harmful ingredients. Avoid sunscreens that contain retinyl palmitate, oxybenzone, and nanoparticles such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide.
- It should be noted that although the effect is good for the appearance of the skin, avoiding the sun can reduce vitamin D in the body. In fact, vitamin D is very important for bone strength while maintaining a balanced mood. Other sources of vitamin D include fish, fish liver oil, egg yolks, and fortified dairy and cereal products. In addition, you can also take vitamin D supplements.
- Many natural skin care sites recommend applying lemon juice and other fruit juices rich in vitamin C directly to the face. This treatment actually tends to be detrimental because it can make the skin dry and easy to burn when exposed to sunlight.
