Your skin ages as you do. A few facial lines are attractive but most people prefer to keep these fine lines in check. With age, our skin naturally becomes thinner, drier, and loses its elasticity. Skin starts losing elasticity as collagen production reduces with age.
Environment, genetic factors, and lifestyle choices also play a crucial role in the appearance of fine lines & wrinkles. There are some common things that contribute to fine lines and wrinkles on the face and negatively impact our skin’s health.
Here are the top 5 reasons for the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles on the face –
Exposure to the sun:
It is a popular fact that exposure to the sun can lead to premature signs of aging including wrinkles and fine lines. UV rays can penetrate into the deepest layers of the skin and damage collagen levels, which leads to loss of elasticity.
To protect your skin from sun damage, always wear sunscreen with an SPF of 30 to 50, even on rainy reasons. The ultraviolet rays of the sun can penetrate through the clouds, so it is essential to wear sunscreen throughout the year.
Sleeping position:
When you sleep on your sides or on your stomach, you exert a lot of pressure on your face. This causes the breakdown of collagen, which leads to wrinkles. Sleep on your back or in sleeping positions that do not exert much pressure on your face to prevent wrinkles in the long run. You can also try sleeping on silk pillowcases to avoid friction.
Smoking:
Tobacco damages the collagen and elastin in the skin which, are responsible for the elasticity and strength of the skin. The nicotine content in cigarettes narrows the blood vessels, which leads to restricted blood flow. Due to this restricted blood flow, your skin does not get enough oxygen or essential vitamins that are needed for healthy skin.
Besides, some research by the Mayo Clinic suggests that the heat released by cigarettes can also cause facial lines. Additionally, the repeated puckering of the mouth while inhaling smoke can also contribute to wrinkles.
Facial expressions:
Repetitive facial expressions such as raising your eyebrows, squinting, or frowning can lead to fine lines and wrinkles. When you do any of the above actions, your facial muscles contract and squeeze your skin cells causing a loss of elasticity. Squinting can be a habit for some people, but with some conscious efforts, you can overcome this habit.
Lack of sleep:
Your skin repairs and heals itself at night. It repairs itself by boosting the blood flow to the skin, repairing the damage caused by UV exposure, and stimulating collagen production. If you do not get enough sleep, your skin will not get enough time to repair itself and boost collagen. This will cause facial lines and wrinkles.
Wrinkles are an unavoidable part of aging. However, there are some steps that you could take to slow down the process of aging. Lifestyle changes can play a major role in managing wrinkles. Introducing vitamin C to your skincare routine and diet can be significantly beneficial. Keeping your stress levels under check is also essential for younger and healthy skin.
Using retinoids, hyaluronic acid and vitamin C in your skincare can be extremely helpful in preventing premature wrinkles and other early signs of aging.