Almost everybody shudders at the thought of getting older and developing wrinkles, and it is possible to slow down their appearance, even though there is very little that can be done to completely get rid of them.
What Causes Wrinkles in the Skin
As we get older, two of the most important components of the skin, elastin and collagen, begin to break down and skin becomes less elastic. Its whole structure starts to fall apart and it loses its springiness.
New cells are produced more slowly and as a result, fat cells and sebaceous glands start to wither. The skin turns dry and there is nothing to hold it up — it begins to sag and wrinkles appear.
Several other environmental factors contribute to the onset of skin ageing and wrinkles.
Cigarette smoking, air pollution, laughing and frowning, and unprotected exposure to the sun all play a role.
What is different about these environmental factors is that most are within a person’s ability to control.
So while there is no way to prevent the ageing process, the factors that contribute to its acceleration can be stopped.
Skin ageing and wrinkling can be slowed by always protecting the skin from the sun’s damaging ultraviolet rays. These rays can penetrate unprotected layers of skin. They produce radiation which can seriously and permanently damage the cells that form skin tissue. UVA rays are believed capable of releasing oxidants, unstable particles that cause extensive cell damage.
Cigarette smoking promotes the release of oxidants as well. Oxidants slow the production of new collagen and elastin.
Known also as free radicals, the best way to protect against their negative effects is to consume a diet rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.
Smoking also restricts the blood flow in the epidermis so skin does not get sufficient quantity of the nutrients it needs to stay healthy.
The repetitive nature of cigarette smoking, specifically the repetitive contraction of the muscles surrounding the mouth, accelerates skin ageing and wrinkling as do the muscle contractions that occur when laughing and frowning.
Air pollution contributes to wrinkles by depriving the skin of Vitamin E, another important antioxidant.
Caring for Ageing Skin
As with all skin care regimes, keep the skin clean. This will be far more effective than spending your hard-earned cash on expensive anti-wrinkles creams.
Avoid things such as strong soaps, which remove oil from the skin and cause the skin to become dry, and products that contain dyes and scents that will agitate your skin.
Do any cleaning gently, particularly when removing makeup. You will have made a huge difference on your skin for spending almost nothing.
However unpreventable the development of ageing and wrinkles may be, it is easy to take care of your skin by following the simple tips given here, and before long you will start to look younger!