What Causes Lines and Wrinkles on the Face?
No one likes to look in the mirror and think that they look older than they feel; it’s something that a lot of people – women, in particular – can become very self-conscious about as they get older. There are some surgical procedures that can turn back the clock to some extent, such as face lifts, and less permanent solutions, such as collagen or Botox injections. Whilst these aren’t miracle cures, they can make a huge difference to a person’s self-esteem. It’s always helpful to have some handy cosmetic treatment up your sleeve, if you feel like your face is looking a little tired, but it could also be beneficial to know a little bit about what made the lines appear in the first place; so, what causes wrinkles on the face?
Why has my skin become wrinkled?
It’s difficult to pin point one specific reason why the skin becomes lined and wrinkled over time, it’s most likely due to lots of different elements, some exterior, and some from inside the body as it naturally ages. A great number of people find it difficult or uncomfortable accepting that their face is showing signs of aging, even if its part of life – this is especially true for people who work in the public eye and have to maintain a certain kind of image. It’s easy to say ‘grow old gracefully’, but not everyone can understand the effect your outward appearance can have on your inner self. Let’s take a look at some of the common reasons for lines on the skin:
Natural aging – As mentioned above, this is just a part of life that affects everyone as we get older. As the skin ages, it’s gradually begins to lose its ability to produce moisture, and the collagen that makes up the structure underneath the top layers is reduced. This causes the skin to become dry and in some cases appear sunken over the skull bones, giving it a sagging quality. It also feels less plump and can’t easily spring back from the lines that appear when we smile or frown. Most moisturisers work by putting water back into the skin, to give it more elasticity, and some dermal fillers replenish the natural elements that keep the skin looking youthful and fresh. Botox works by essentially freezing the facial muscles in problem areas; this pulls the skin taut and eliminates the wrinkles.
There’s no shame in having a few wrinkles, in fact a lot of people would say that facial lines gives you character, but if it’s really bothering you, there is something you can do about it, either temporarily or long-term. The Pearl Dental Clinic in London provides a range of dermal fillers that can get rid of unsightly lines, giving your face a fresher, younger appearance; give them a call to enquire about consultations and services.
The sun – Everyone enjoys a bit of sunshine, it makes us feel happier, keeps us warm, and gives us a healthy summer glow, but if you’re not careful, it can have a severely damaging effect on the skin. It’s obvious that getting sun burnt is not ideal – although, you might not consider it to be too much of a problem in the UK – but even just lying on a sunbed until you turn a golden brown is very dehydrating for your skin. UV rays in particular are very harmful, accelerating the aging process and making your skin appear dry and lined before it’s time. Unfortunately, a lot of people don’t concern themselves too much with the risk of sun damage until it’s really too late to do anything about it, it’s impossible to reverse the effects of the UV rays and years of continued exposure are clear to see on the face of sun-worshippers all over the country. The best way to protect yourself against damage from the sun is to apply a generous layer of sunscreen, with at least an SPF of 30 – anything less doesn’t provide enough of a barrier. Wear a sun hat and loose-fitting clothing that covers your neck and shoulders. Squinting into the sun is another guaranteed way to add crows-feet to your wrinkle collection, so keep your sun glasses handy – make sure they have UV protection.
Sleep positions – Believe it or not, the position we sleep in can affect the lines that form on our faces. If we maintain a certain position every night for an extended period of time, the weight that we press onto certain parts of our face will cause lines to appear. This is a gradual process, and can be linked to the wrinkles that will eventually occur anyway; everybody has to sleep, so it’s not really something you can avoid.
Smoking – Doctors, nurses, dentists, and pretty much everyone who works in a medical profession can tell you that smoking is a terrible habit for many, many reasons. Not only are the chemicals addictive and very harmful for your lungs, throat, blood pressure, teeth, mouth, heart, finger nails… the list goes one, but they are also very bad for your skin. Smoking encourages wrinkles to develop by dehydrating the skin, it blocks the flow of oxygen and depletes the essential nutrients needed to replenish the collagen and stay moisturised. Damaging all the components that keep the skin looking young is bad enough, but smoking also causes lines to appear just by the physical action alone; when your purse your lips to inhale, you are using the muscles around the lips in an unnatural way, and you may also squint as the smoke drifts into your eyes. As you carry out these actions repeatedly throughout the day, the skin begins to develop permanent lines that give your face an aged appearance. It’s always easy to spot smokers just from their skin – it looks sallow and dry, and the lines around the mouth are a real give away. For the good of your appearance, if not for your health, have some will power and throw those cigarettes away.