How Do I Keep My Face Free from Lines and Wrinkles?

Soft, supple, and smooth skin is the signature calling card of youth. But then one day, seemingly overnight, it looks less refined and reflects your actual age. While you can’t expect to have a babyface forever, you can do quite a lot to keep getting carded even as you grow older.

Fortunately, we live in a time where we can do something about lines and wrinkles, he key to keeping them at bay though is understanding our skin and how fine lines and wrinkles occur. Once you know this, it’s so much easier to take your skincare plan into action and keep your face from looking overly-aged before its prime.

We’ve all seen older women who look stunning even in their 50s and 60s. Wondering how they look as good as us? They’ve gotten a handle on the aging process and use what they know to keep their skin flawless. We can steal those secrets too.

But first, let’s find out more about those pesky visible signs of aging, like fine lines and wrinkles and where they come from.

What’s causing fine lines and wrinkles to appear in the first place?

Unfortunately, there is no one cause to fine lines and wrinkles appearing. These can come on from many different factors. Or a combination of them. Part of it is that wrinkles are a normal part of aging, but other things can make those visible signs of aging come in much earlier.

Some older women barely have any wrinkles while women younger than them (but still older than us!) look tattered and worn. Let’s unlock the mystery behind the aging process so we can keep our skin looking smooth and youthful for as long as possible!

The aging process

As I mentioned, wrinkles are just a natural part of aging. It’s in our destiny, sad to say, but we can tinker with that (more on that below). As we age, our skin starts thinning out and drying out. It loses that elasticity and isn’t as good at protecting itself from environmental aggressors. When that happens, you start seeing things like fines lines, creases, and wrinkles. However, teenagers can have wrinkles too, if you want to know why, check out this post I wrote.

The sun

Another factor for aging skin is too much sun exposure. UV rays break down collagen and elastin fibers in your skin. Those are what keeps your skin bouncy and youthful. When this layer breaks down, skin gets weaker and loses that bounce, resulting in sagging. Ton of studies have shown sun is a direct factor in aging skin.

The fine line here is that we do need sunshine in healthy amounts. When you protect yourself in the sun without fail, you can get what you need from the sun while stopping the damages it can cause.

Still, I’ll tell you this…genes play a role as well. When you look at your parents and grandparents, if they look good at their age, you likely will too BUT not if you overexpose yourself to the sun!

Bad habits

The habits we choose to keep in life could be undoing our gloriously youthful skin too. If you do any of the following on a regular basis, it’s time to get it in check or risk losing your youthfulness while you’re still in your prime.

– Smoking

It stinks. It can kill you. And if both those things don’t make you realize how totally uncool smoking is, let me tell you this…it speeds up the aging process big time. It reduces the supply of blood to your skin. Plus, the smoke from cigarettes releases an enzyme that tears down your collagen and elastin.

Don’t smoke. You’ll see when you run into old classmates that have smoked since school how much older they’ll look than you at the same age!

– Alcohol

Have a drink here and there is fine. Having a little wine with dinner is also fine, as long as it’s not every night. Do know this though…the more alcohol you drink, the more dehydrated your skin will become. And the drier your skin is, the more likely it will be to wrinkle. Want to feel fancy? Use a sparkling water with lemon in it instead!

– Bad diet

Do you eat right? Be honest! I’m not talking about splurging on the weekend while out with friends. I’m talking about the day-to-day. Do you choose healthy, whole foods or do you eat sugary, fried, and processed foods?

Wrinkles can be the result of your diet. Advanced glycation end products (aptly called ‘AGEs’) are molecules that are left over from the digestion process of sugar. They build up over time and bond to the collagen and elastin. So that cupcake’s not looking so delicious anymore, is it, love?

That’s not to say you can’t ever enjoy yourself, but you should cut out that sugar intake as much as you can. Stay away from highly-refined and processed carbs. Even margarine will do you in. You’re so much better with butter.

Face expressions

Experts say that every time you use the muscles in your face, they carve a groove under the surface of your skin. This starts even in your early youth. And it’s going on right now every time you laugh, smile, or even scowl.

While we’re young, our skin bounces back, but the skin gets less flexible as we start getting older. This means that bounce back happens less, making those grooves permanent. Not to say that you shouldn’t ever smile or make any other face, but with the other factors mentioned, it can show your age.

Lack of sleep

Going out after work, getting a few hours of sleep, and then doing it all again is going to take a huge toll on you, doll. With lack of sleep, your body makes more cortisol. That’s the hormone that adds fat to the middle (YIKES!) and destroys skin cells. There’s a reason they call it “beauty sleep” because it really does help. Your body makes more HGH (human growth hormone) which keeps skin more elastic and less prone to wrinkles.

Also, sleep on your back! The AAD (American Academy of Dermatology) explains that certain positions will gives you sleep lines, a type of wrinkle that you get from sleeping. Can’t help it? Try a satin pillowcase so your skin glides off it (hair too) when you can’t help but roll over from your back.

Pollution

Chemicals in the air are just as bad as sunlight, exposing you to free radicals that will decimate your skin. Unless you live out in the country, free from pollution, you’d better take steps to keep your skin protected. Protect your skin with hydrating productions and layer them on to keep the pollution from penetrating. There are some great pollution protecting products out there like Vichy Mineral 89 , granted it’s expensive but you get what you pay for, however, there’s also the Embryolisse moisturizing primer cream, I personally prefer this one, it’s not only a cheaper alternative, but it will last you forever!!! This genie in a bottle will work wonders for city dwellers, while keeping your skin hydrated, plus you’ll skip primer because, guess what, it’s one of the best primers I’ve tried .

Stress

Always feeling under the gun? Stress can destroy your skin’s protective barrier too. This leads to water loss, which results in dehydrated skin. And that dehydrated skin, my friends, is what causes those wrinkles and fine lines. When life is getting you down, go for a walk or jog, read a book, take a bubble bath, or do something that helps you unwind, for the sake of your skin (and your sanity too!).

How to keep my face free from lines and wrinkles as a young person

While growing older surely beats the alternative, we don’t want to LOOK older, do we? Here’s what you can do to protect your skin and keep it as smooth and youthful as possible. If you start now, you’ll look fabulous even as the clock keeps ticking.

Always wear sunscreen

We can’t always avoid the sun. Even on days that we’re not actively in the sun, we’re exposed to it. Think driving to work on the highway, or walking to the store. Sunscreen not only protects from skin cancer, but it also prevents lines and wrinkles. And those dark spots! You don’t want those either!

Hydrate your skin from the inside out

While you most definitely should use a moisturizer designed for your specific skin type to keep it hydrated and plumped up, you should also be concerned with what you put on the inside. No matter how great a skincare product is, it’s worthless if you don’t nourish yourself from within.

You need to make sure your plate contains more fruits and vegetables at every meal. These are rich with antioxidants which help fight free radicals away from destroying your skin. This helps you look more youthful and radiant while keeping your protected.

Avoid weight fluctuations

Going back and forth with your weight can stretch skin over and over. You lose 5 pounds and then gain it back, then lose it again. Stop the madness. Keep a weight that works for you and stick to it. And whatever you do, don’t crash-diet. That can age your skin even faster!

Make sure to wash your face before going to sleep

Skincare is important all the time, but nighttime is the most important time of all. All the pollutants you’re exposed to every day can penetrate your skin and break it down. As you sleep, your body repairs that damage. When your skin is clean and you’ve used your proper nighttime formulas, you’ll get deeper penetration from the vitamins and minerals in them, resulting in better skin.

But don’t wash your face too much! Tap water and certain cleansers can strip your skin of the natural moisture barrier. Look for a cleanser that hydrates while removing the bad stuff without stripping the good stuff, like Mario Badescu Glycolic Foaming this dermatologists’ choice will keep you hooked to say the least!

How to reduce the appearance of fine lines and winkles if they already exist

Some women start getting wrinkles and fine lines in their 20s. If you’ve already got a couple starting, you can take steps to stop them in their tracks and reduce them so you look youthful and smoothed out. Read on to find out what to do!

– Use topical treatments to reduce the appearance of fine lines 

All those skincare products out there give you plenty of choices. If you’re not sure what to look for though, flip them over and read the labels. The following ingredients are effective for reducing wrinkles, according to multiple studies. You can get them through a prescription from your dermatologist or you can find plenty over-the-counter formulas too.

Alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs)

AHAs are natural fruit acids. They work by lifting the top layer of dead skin cells away which smooths things over. This is especially helpful around your eyes. The latest research also reveals that in its highest concentrations, it can even stimulate the production of collagen.

Retinoids (including Retin A)

Retin A, or tretinoin, is the only FDA-approved topical ingredient for wrinkle treatment. You’ll find it in prescriptions, though you’ll find retinol, the natural form of vitamin A, in many products you don’t need a prescription for. Studies have shown that high concentrations of the stabilized form are just as effective though with less likelihood of side effects like sensitivity and burning.

Topical vitamin C

Topical vitamin C can increase the production of collagen while guarding your skin from UVA and UVB rays. It can also fix pigmentation problems and quell inflammation. There’s still a bit going on with research on it, but it seems that vitamin C in the form of L-ascorbic acid is the best for reducing wrinkles.

Idebenone

Related to CoQ10 (coenzyme 10), this ultra-powerful antioxidant has shown great promise. In one study, it reduced skin roughness and dryness, boosted hydrated, and decreased wrinkles, all in 6 weeks. Even for sun-damaged skin! Other studies conducted revealed the same wonderful findings.

Growth factors

Your body creates these naturally in response to wounds. These compounds can also have a positive effect when applied to the skin. They can reduce damage from the sun and decrease lines and wrinkles. Studies reveal growth factors also help spur more collagen production.

Pentapeptides

Pentapeptides were found to boost collagen in skin damaged from the sun in a study by the National Institute of Health. Others that followed showed the diminishing of lines and wrinkles. You’ll see these in many OTC formulas for skincare.

Medical treatments to reduce the appearance of fine lines

You can also seek out medical treatments to keep your face looking young and fresh. These will obviously be more expensive than topical products and will require upkeep. You should also look for a qualified medical professional to administer them. The only thing I can think of that would be worse than getting wrinkles long before you’re old is having a Muppet-face when the procedure is done incorrectly.

– Botox

Botox injections definitely work. Botulinum toxin A is injected just underneath your wrinkles to relax the muscles. This makes the skin on top of it smooth and erases creases. It’s not permanent though. It wears off over time, and you’ll need to keep going back to get your desired results.

– Wrinkle fillers

Similar to Botox, wrinkle fillers can come in a variety of styles. Some are made from collagen or hyaluronic acid. There are other ingredients too. These can be very effective in smoothing your wrinkles and lines away, though will need to be touched up over time like Botox. Common treatments you can inquire about are Juvederm, ArteFill, and Restylane, to name a few.

– Laser/light resurfacing

Using lasers or a pulsing diode light, a medical professional can remove the top layer of your skin. It gives off a slight wound that’s unnoticeable which gets the skin to amp up its natural collagen production abilities. This leads to smooth skin without wrinkles.

– Chemical peels

Head to your spa for this chemical treatment. It basically burns the top layer of your skin away. Then your body responds to it by making more collagen. You’ll have to avoid the sun for a few days, but once the redness settles, you’ll have baby-soft, super-young skin.

– Dermabrasion

This device wielded by your skincare aesthetician woks with a mild chemical crystal and a vacuum device to buff off the top layer of your skin. It helps reveal a new, even-textured skin from below. This leads to fine lines and wrinkles smoothing away for a flawless appearance.

Conclusion

Many factors can lead us to have wrinkles in our youth. But at this time in our lives is when we should get serious about our skincare and overall health. By watching the factors that can cause those lines and wrinkles we don’t want, we have a better chance to keep them away.

Following these tips above can help, and so can using the suggestions for getting rid of wrinkles in your youth should you find them coming in too soon!