How to get rid of
WRINKLES
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Wrinkles: Why do you get them and
HOW CAN YOU TREAT THEM?
Wrinkles are creases, folds or ridges that appear in your skin as you mature. They look a bit like the lines in the palm of your hands. It might not be what you want to hear, but wrinkles are a completely natural part of the aging process.
Wrinkles are most commonly found on your face, neck and arms, but can appear anywhere on your body.
The 7 main types of
WRINKLES
- Forehead lines
Also known as forehead wrinkles, these are horizontal indentations that run across the top of your T-zone. They are most noticeable when you make certain facial expressions, such as lifting your eyebrows.
- Frown lines
Frown lines tend to develop between the eyebrows and create a shape that mimics the number eleven. Repeated facial expressions like frowning can cause these to become more prominent over time.
- Bunny linesThese refer to the fine horizontal lines and tiny creases that appear on the bridge of your nose and either side when you wrinkle it, such as when you laugh or smile. These are an example of mimic wrinkles, which are among the first to appear due to repeated movements.
- Crow's feet
This is the term given to those fine lines that radiate from the outer corners of your eyes. They resemble the feet of a crow, hence the name, but are also known as 'smile lines' as they often form when you smile. The skin around the eyes is exceptionally thin, so these types of wrinkles can form fairly early.
- Laughter lines
As the name suggests, these lines appear on parts of your face that crease when you laugh. Known as nasolabial folds, these creases extend from both sides of your nose to the corners of your mouth. They can become more prominent and permanent as you age, especially if you smoke or don't protect your skin from the sun.
- Lip linesThese small vertical wrinkles look slightly different for everyone, but typically they form on both the lip and the skin above the upper lip. On the lips they often extend from one side of the mouth to the other.
- Marionette linesAs your skin loses its tightness, jowls and folds such as marionette lines can develop. Also called melomental folds, these are long vertical lines that start at the corners of your mouth and continue down to the chin and jawline. They can cause your mouth to look downturned like a marionette doll, hence the name.
What causes
WRINKLES?
Wrinkles, creases and lines start to develop as your skin becomes thinner, drier and loses its elasticity over time. As you age, your body's levels of Collagen and Elastin decrease. These are both proteins naturally found in the skin, responsible for its firmness and elasticity.
Your facial expressions are a factor too. Smiling, laughing, frowning, squinting and other repeated facial expressions cause small muscle contractions which can lead to fine lines and wrinkles developing even when you are younger.
These lines can then deepen as you age and sometimes become a permanent feature on your face. This is largely because your skin springs back when you are younger, but as older skin has less flexibility it loses its youthful bounce.
Dynamic vs static
WRINKLES
· Dynamic wrinkles – these are ones caused by expressing emotions or repeated facial movements, like lip lines that may appear if you use a straw often.
· Static wrinkles – these come from a loss of elasticity and tend to deepen with age. Examples of these are lines at the corner of the mouth and neck.
Over time dynamic wrinkles can become static wrinkles. One example is when your cheeks lose plumpness, and fine smile lines can turn into more prominent folds.
How to prevent
WRINKLES
Our range of NIVEA Anti-Aging Creams & Products has been specifically formulated to help prevent and minimise the appearance of wrinkles and nourish your skin. The range includes replenishing serums designed to build up your skin's own anti-wrinkle defence, innovative moisturisers with Collagen-boosting formulas, and firming eye creams that target this delicate area.
Your eyes can be especially prone to signs of aging – read our guide for our top 5 tips to help you prevent eye wrinkles.
For men, there’s a range specifically tailored to your unique skincare needs.
Dynamic wrinkles – these are ones caused by expressing emotions or repeated facial movements, like lip lines that may appear if you use a straw often.
Sun radiation damages the skin's Collagen, making it lose elasticity and drying it out, bearing in mind mature skin is naturally drier.
Too much sun exposure can prematurely age your skin. This is known as photoaging and differs from natural aging, causing deep wrinkles along with tougher skin, freckles and skin discolouration.
Knowing how to protect your skin from sun damage is an easy step you can take to prevent this, including adopting good sunscreen habits. One easy habit involves adding a moisturiser with SPF into your morning skincare routine so that you leave the house with a layer of protection.
Smoking is another culprit that causes rapid aging. Healthy skin will constantly regenerate. However, smoking heavily reduces Collagen production, and less Collagen means more wrinkles. Increased facial lines around the mouth are tell-tale signs of smoking.
Unhealthy habits affect your skin's texture and can speed up the aging process. Eating a healthy balanced diet packed with Vitamin A and C and protein (poultry, fish, eggs and lean meats) is a good place to start. Add some regular daily exercise to boost circulation and reduce stress levels. Too much sugar and alcohol can damage Collagen and Elastin, so indulge in moderation.
Keeping your skin hydrated is always important. Be sure to drink enough water, and even try herbal teas which have antioxidants that can improve your skin in other ways. Avoid too much caffeine as this can slow down the rate your body makes Collagen.
Your skin always thanks you for getting the recommended 8 hours of sleep a night – or as close as possible. But did you know that your sleep positions also have a bearing on wrinkles? Your skin can get creased if you sleep in the same position every night. Sleeping on your back or investing in silk pillowcases that cause less friction against your face can help with this.
Skincare routine to help
REDUCE THE APPEARANCE OF WRINKLES
While there is no cure to get rid of wrinkles for good, following an anti-aging skincare routine will help to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines and give your skin a more youthful glow over time. As with any good skincare routine, cleansing and exfoliation are the best start:
To effectively target wrinkles, apply three pea-sized dots of an anti-aging serum. Serums are typically lighter than creams and can penetrate deeper into the skin, helping the higher concentrations of active ingredients reduce the appearance of wrinkles.
Sometimes you may want to apply a face mask as part of an extra pampering session. Switching the serum for a face mask on occasion can help you achieve a similar effect. If you're using a sheet mask, make sure to rub in any excess serum after removing the mask.
Ageing skin is less able to protect itself from external damage, so choosing a really targeted moisturiser is even more important. Plus, moisturisation has the added benefit of locking in any serums or treatments applied beforehand.
NIVEA offers a range of day and night creams, some of which are formulated with active ingredients such as Q10 and Hyaluronic Acid to target wrinkles effectively.
NIVEA's Q10 range
Your skin contains almost 80% Collagen, and nearly a third of the proteins in your body are produced by Collagen. Coenzyme Q10 can help to stimulate the production of Collagen, which naturally slows with age. This boost in Collagen can help to increase cell regeneration and retain skin elasticity.
Other ingredients that are
GOOD FOR WRINKLES
- Retinol:
Alike Q10 in this sense, Retinol can help to stimulate Collagen production and exfoliate the skin for a firmer, plumper complexion.
- Bakuchiol:
Similar to Retinol but slightly milder, Bakuchiol is a great natural alternative for those following a vegan life or living with skin sensitivities.
- Jojoba oil:Jojoba Oil is both moisturising and an antioxidant, so it may keep the skin hydrated and potentially reduce the appearance of wrinkles, like other antioxidants.
- Hyaluronic acid:Hyaluronic Acid works by moisturising deep into the skin and may significantly improve the appearance of deeper wrinkles while improving firmness and elasticity. You can find Hyaluronic Acid in the NIVEA Cellular Expert Filler range.
A sign of a
FULL LIFE
Summary
Wrinkles are a natural part of the aging process – as you age, your skin becomes thinner, drier, and loses its elasticity. The decrease in Collagen and Elastin levels in the skin contributes to the formation of wrinkles over time.
Different types of wrinkles exist: wrinkles can appear in various forms on different areas of the face. Common types include forehead lines, frown lines, crow's feet, laughter lines, lip lines, and marionette lines.
While you cannot stop the aging process or alter genetics, lifestyle changes can help prevent wrinkles and maintain more youthful-looking skin. Tips include using anti-aging skincare products, protecting skin from sun damage, quitting smoking, eating a balanced diet, staying hydrated, and getting enough sleep.
While there is no permanent cure for wrinkles, following an anti-aging skincare routine can help reduce their appearance and give your skin a more youthful glow. Particularly helpful ingredients include Q10, Hyaluronic Acid and Retinol, to name a few. However, it's essential to remember that wrinkles are a natural and beautiful sign of a full life and do not necessarily need treatment if you choose to embrace them.
