Can you get rid of fine lines and wrinkles?
Fine lines and wrinkles - we all dread them, but they’re a natural part of ageing.
You might be surprised to learn that collagen and elastin (the protein fibers that keep your skin plump and firm) start to decrease in production as early as your teens, and most people start to notice the beginnings of fine lines on their faces around the age of 25.
The first place that most people will start to notice these fine lines is the skin around the eyes since the skin there is noticeably thinner than the skin on the rest of the face and can crease at a faster rate.
Thankfully these days, there are many ways that we can slow the speed of visible skin ageing, both at home and in-clinic. And although prevention is always better than cure, there are even treatments that can reverse the signs of ageing that may already be present.
What causes fine lines and wrinkles?
1. Fine lines caused by ageing
As you age, the production of collagen and elastin, proteins that give the skin its youthful, supple, radiant appearance, naturally slows down.
Skin becomes less elastic, less resilient to change and more fragile. Also, your skin naturally produces fewer natural oils as you get older, which makes the skin appear drier, emphasising the appearance of wrinkles.
The ageing process also sees a reduction in the fatty tissue that lives in the deeper layers of your skin. While many of us strive for a lower body fat percentage, when it comes to the face, we do need some fatty tissue to add a full, youthful appearance to areas such as the cheekbones.
When we start to see a decrease in this fatty tissue with age, skin can start to appear looser or saggier, which can result in more-pronounced lines, wrinkles and crevices in the skin, particularly on the face and neck.
2. Fine lines caused by sun damage
Ultra Violet (UV) radiation is one of the primary cause of premature ageing of the skin, as UV light speeds the natural ageing process by breaking down your skin’s connective tissue (collagen and elastin fibres) within the deeper layer of the dermis.
Without these supportive, connective tissue fibres, your skin loses strength and flexibility. In other words, when you move it, it doesn’t ‘bounce back’ as you would like it to. This makes the skin then begin to sag and wrinkle prematurely.
3. Fine lines caused by lifestyle
Smoking, drinking excessive alcohol, stress, lack of sleep, inadequate hydration and poor nutrient intake can all accelerate the normal ageing process of the skin, contributing to the formation of wrinkles. If you needed any extra motivation, it’s just another reason why it’s so crucial to get your beauty sleep, drink plenty of water and eat your vegetables.
4. Fine lines caused by repeated facial expressions
Making the same facial movements over and over again such as smiling, laughing and frowning, surprisingly (or not?) leads to fine lines and wrinkles.
Of course, we can’t be expected to never move our faces, however, we can be mindful of the expressions that we routinely make.
Every time we use a facial muscle, a groove forms beneath the surface of the skin and as skin ages and loses flexibility, it’s no longer able to ‘bounce back’ into place. These grooves then become wrinkles on your face.
Types of Wrinkles Commonly Seen
The fine lines that form on our faces and necks fall into two categories: dynamic and static.
Dynamic wrinkles develop from repeated facial movements such as the lip lines that might form from repeatedly drinking from a straw. Dynamic wrinkles can become static wrinkles over time, too. For example, when fine smile lines become more prominent nasolabial folds as our cheeks lose fullness.
Static wrinkles, on the other hand, form from a loss of skin elasticity and the effects of gravity, such as the wrinkles that come with jowls.
The most common facial areas that you might develop wrinkles are:
- Forehead lines, which run horizontally across the top of the T-zone
- Bunny lines, which etch the bridge of the nose between the eyes
- Worry lines, which create an ‘eleven’ between the brows
- Crow's feet, which radiate outwards from the corners of the eyes
- Laugh lines, which create emphasis around the upper lip
- Lip lines, which form vertical lines around the perimeter of the mouth; and
- Marionette lines, which frame the chin vertically
Can you get rid of fine lines & wrinkles?
Ageing is inevitable, but thankfully, fine lines (and even deeper wrinkles!) needn’t be a permanent fixture on your face, if they’re something that bothers you.
How you treat your fine lines and wrinkles will depend on where in the ageing process your skin is. If you’re just beginning to see fine lines forming, a gentler approach may yield good results for you versus if you’ve already got some deep-set wrinkles which may need more aggressive treatment.
How to get rid of fine lines if they’re just starting to appear
While the appearance of fine lines can be frustrating, the empowering news is that you have the ability to take proactive steps to minimise their visibility and slow down the ageing process. The key is to start early and incorporate a few essential practices into your daily routine, giving you a sense of control and confidence.
First and foremost, always wear sunscreen. A broad-spectrum mineral sunscreen with at least SPF 30+ is non-negotiable, even on cloudy days. UV rays can penetrate clouds and windows, causing premature ageing and fine lines. By protecting your skin daily, you’re shielding it from one of the primary causes of ageing.
In addition to sun protection, focus on holistic health practices that keep your skin in its best condition. Ensure you get plenty of sleep, manage stress effectively, maintain a balanced diet, and stay hydrated. Remember, if you’re dehydrated, your skin will be too, which can exacerbate the appearance of fine lines.
Starting early with advanced skincare tools and treatments can also make a significant difference. Incorporating LED light therapy into your routine is a gentle yet effective way to promote collagen production and reduce the early signs of ageing. Red light therapy, in particular, has been shown to improve skin elasticity and smooth out fine lines, giving you a sense of reassurance and hope for your skin’s future.
Pairing LED therapy with high-quality skincare products can amplify results. Look for serums rich in antioxidants, peptides, and hyaluronic acid, which help to plump the skin and protect against environmental damage.
How to get rid of wrinkles that have been there for a while
As well as doing all of the above, now is also a great time to add a gentle superficial exfoliant to your skincare routine, such as glycolic acid or salicylic acid. These acids will gently slough off dead skin cells and keep your skin smooth, priming it for hydration.
1. Use Retinol to fight fine lines
You might also like to start introducing a Retinol Serum or Vitamin A derivative to your skincare routine, which works to create a cellular turnover.
2. Use LED Light Therapy to reduce wrinkles
LED light therapy unique wavelength colour spectrums, each with different functions - including killing bacteria, tightening pores, increasing cell turnover and elasticity, killing acne, soothing irritated skin, improving lymphatic drainage and reducing inflammation.
Since it’s gentle enough to be used daily, you can easily incorporate it into your nightly skincare routine and see great long term preventative results, which will help hold back the tides of wrinkles and keep your skin smooth, supple and youthful for longer!
3. Introduce Derma Rolling to your routine
Derma roller is a great one to start if you're new to microneedling. As the derma roller is a manual device, it’s a great place for newbies to microneedling to start, as you can have full control over the speed and pressure.
Simply by rolling it over your skin (using the detailed instructions provided), you’ll reap the benefits of microneedling, which include:
- Reduces of the appearance of fine lines & wrinkles
- Improvement of textural irregularities and dullness
- Evens out uneven skin tone
- Reduction of stretch marks and loose skin
- Improvements to the appearance of acne scars and other scarring
- Improvements to hyperpigmentation, redness and sun damage
Combined with the above, it’s a great time to bring in some heavy-hitting treatments to really combat those wrinkles and turn back the clock!
4. Start microneedling!
If you’ve tried the derma roller, or if you’d like something to give you even better results, take a look at the microneedling treatment with a microneedling pen.
Unlike the derma roller, micro-needling pens are motorised and have a greater range of speeds, depths and needle gauges, which allows greater control over your results and the areas that you can target.
Microneedling pens work by creating microscopic punctures to the skin, known as microchannels.
Although these micro-channels are imperceptible to the naked eye, they work to trick the skin into thinking that it has been injured, causing the skin to trigger a healing response - including an increased cell turnover and the production of collagen and elastin.
Performed once a month, your skin will soon begin to show vast improvements to texture, tone and importantly, a softening of any fine lines and wrinkles that may be setting in.
And because microneedling penetrates the skin, it allows for greater product penetration of your topical skincare products such as antioxidant serums - instead of sitting in and soaking in via the surface of the skin, your products will penetrate deeper into the skin thanks to the micro channels, allowing for even greater absorption of the ingredients and thus, greater results.
5. Use the right skincare and serums
The key to youthful, radiant skin lies in a consistent daily skincare routine, especially when incorporating the right serums. A Vitamin C serum is essential for combating the signs of ageing. This powerful antioxidant neutralises free radicals, protects against sun damage, and boosts cellular turnover for a brighter complexion.
Hydration is just as crucial. A moisturiser with Hyaluronic Acid can deeply hydrate and plump the skin, reducing the appearance of fine lines. Its ability to retain moisture ensures your skin stays smooth and supple, maintaining that youthful glow.
For those looking to amplify their results, microneedling is an excellent addition. It enhances the absorption of serums, making your skincare even more effective.
When paired with the right products, this combination can significantly improve the appearance and health of your skin over time.
Need advice on how to get rid of fine lines and wrinkles?
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