So, what causes wrinkles?

Interested to know what causes wrinkles? Are you trying to get rid of them?

You are most likely already aware that wrinkles are going to occur at some point in your life as you get older, but are you aware of some of the actual reasons why we develop these fine lines and creases in the first place? Is it just aging or is there more to it than that? Clearly there must be something, as some women have perfect complexions into their sixties (and seventies according to my grandmother).

 No, not my grandmother!

Effects of the sun on your skin

Whilst the sun is clearly beneficial to us, it is also less beneficial to our skin. Direct ultra violet rays are capable of damaging the skin by breaking down the collagen and elastin, two proteins found in normal skin. Consequently, the skin may become less taut and saggy and wrinkles appear. The sun can also damage your pigmentation, cause age spots, and increase the visibility of small blood vessels.

Smoking

Smoking irritates the skin. Smoking cigarettes reduces the blood flow to the skin, consequently your skin becomes deprived of the proper nutrients needed to maintain its structure along with a  fall in the oxygen content. Smokers generally have a reduced level of collagen and elastin in their skin, so their skin isn’t as tight as that of people who don’t smoke. Smoking, over time, will create wrinkles and fine lines and  make your skin appear older overall.

Dehydration

When your skin becomes dehydrated it lacks the proper amount of water content which makes your skin appear more noticeably aged. When your skin has the right amount of hydration, it looks more firm, fuller, and also younger.

Free Radicals

Many pollutants and toxins in the atmosphere can cause free radicals to increase in your skin. The sub-dermal molecules can become malformed leading to damage to your skin cells. Free radicals also have the ability to both alter genetic material. Further, the  pollutants can breakdown collagen. The free radicals basically ravage your skin and make the wrinkles appear on your skin thus you look older. By reducing your exposure to these pollutants, you can keep your skin looking much younger and feeling healthier.

Diet

As a consequence of an inappropriate diet, your body is lacking the proper nutrients and antioxidants it needs potentially leading to poor skin tone, fine lines, and wrinkles. A busy lifestyle is often cited as the main reason for a poor diet, meaning we tend to eat more  processed and fast foods. If you really want to have wrinkle free, younger and healthier looking skin you must make sure you have the right diet combined with vitamins and supplements where appropriate.

Lack of Sleep

Lack of an appropriate amount of sleep can make fundamental changes to the skin’s structure. Do not disregard this important requirement for firmer, younger-looking skin and the reduction of fine lines and wrinkles.

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Technorati Tags: fine lines, wrinkles

Tags: fine lines, wrinkles