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9 Surprising Causes of Wrinkles

October 15 2022

Wrinkles are something that people associate almost exclusively with age. It is true that wrinkles are the result of the natural aging process, but the truth is that there are many dietary and lifestyle factors that contribute to the formation of wrinkles that have absolutely nothing to do with age. These are the factors that cause some people to age prematurely. Let’s take a look at some of the daily habits that could be making wrinkles appear much faster than they should.

Sun Exposure

Okay, so maybe this one isn’t that surprising. You’ve heard all o your life that UV damage from the sun can cause premature aging, and it’s true. UV damage, from the sun or tanning beds, damages the skin and results in the loss of collagen and elastin, the substances that keep your skin smooth and taut. This loss results in loose skin and wrinkles. Protect your skin by wearing sunscreen with at least an SPF 30 every single day.

Pollution

Environmental pollutants that settle on your skin every day cause free radical damage that contributes to fine lines, wrinkles, and age spots. A study published in 2010 found that women who live in rural areas with a lower environmental pollutant load develop fewer wrinkles and age spots than women of the same age in urban areas where pollution is higher. A good nightly skin routine can help remove pollutants and protect them from their damage.

Sleep Deprivation

We all know that lack of sleep can negatively impact our health and well-being, but did you know that proper sleep is essential when it comes to keeping your skin smooth and wrinkle-free? It turns out that you really do need your beauty sleep. When you don’t get enough sleep your skin isn’t able to repair damage and renew cells as it should. It’s also while sleeping that your body removes skin damaging toxins and flushes them from your body. So be sure to get your recommended 8 hours every night to help your skin keep a youthful appearance.

Chronic Stress

Chronic stress comes in many forms- busy work schedule, difficult boss, chronic illness, financial worries, relationship problems… Stress affects not only your mental health but your physical health as well. Stress raises cortisol levels in your body which reduces your skin’s ability to hold moisture, and it also raises blood sugar levels which damage the collagen and elastin that support your skin to prevent sagging and wrinkling. Finding ways to destress can go a long way toward preventing those pesky lines and wrinkles.

Sugar

You know excessive sugar consumption is bad for your health, but did you know that it also ages your skin? As sugar is metabolized in the body it binds to different proteins in the body, including collagen and elastin, through a process called glycation. This weakens the structure of the skin. The process of glycation also produces skin-damaging toxins that contribute to premature aging.

Squinting

Skipping your yearly eye exam doesn’t just hurt your eyes. It also harms your skin and produces wrinkles due to squinting. Constantly scrunching up your eyes in an effort to see better causes lines to develop around your eyes. It’s like wadding up a shirt and stuffing it in your drawer. If you leave it scrunched up all the time it’s going to wrinkle. So give your facial muscles and skin a break and get that new pair of glasses that you’ve been putting off.

Drinking From A Straw

While using a straw might help prevent coffee and tea stains on your teeth, it can also cause wrinkles around your mouth in the same way that squinting causes wrinkles around your eyes. And the more you do it, the stronger the tiny muscles around your mouth become and the deeper the lines will get. It would be better for your skin to invest in good whitening toothpaste and ditch the straws.

Dry Skin

Allowing your skin to dry out isn’t only uncomfortable and itchy, it also adds years to your appearance. Chronically dry skin is not as supple and succumbs to wrinkles much more easily than it would if you keep it properly hydrated. So make sure you’re moisturizing every morning and every night before bed, and pay special attention to your eyes with an under-eye cream.

Smoking

Next to the sun, smoking is one of the biggest contributors to premature wrinkles. Not only do lines develop around your mouth from constantly sucking on cigarettes, but the toxins that enter your body damage your skin as well. And nicotine narrows the blood vessels that supply oxygen and nutrients to your skin compounding the damage. So you need to stop smoking ASAP to save both your life and your skin.

There are always things you can do to help prevent wrinkles whether they are age-related or not, and the skincare experts at Helen’s Haven can help with professional facial and skin treatments that boost collagen and elastin production and help to firm and tone the skin. Call us at 808-739-0400 to book an appointment or request a consultation with one of our expert estheticians today. You can also download our free app on iTunes or Google Play to manage appointments easily from your mobile device. We look forward to serving you at 4819 Ave., #6 in Honolulu.

Blog

9 Surprising Causes of Wrinkles

October 15 2022

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