What Really Causes Wrinkles?
Ben Franklin missed something when he listed death and taxes as the only things certain in life. He could have added wrinkles to that list. These skin imperfections almost inevitably develop as we age, one of the most common and visible signs that we are getting older. While wrinkles may be largely unavoidable, especially if you are genetically predisposed to them, you can take preventative and corrective steps that can slow their development and reduce their visibility.
Age and Lifestyle Factors Behind Wrinkles
Many factors play a role in the amount and prominence of wrinkles; some we can control and others which we can’t. In that latter category, aging is the biggest culprit. It is a fact of life that our skin loses its elasticity as we get older, causing it to sag. The amount of fat contained in the deeper layers of skin decreases as well, as does the amount of natural oils that keep our skin moisturized. All of this combines to increase the prevalence of wrinkles, lines, crevices, and similar imperfections.
But there are other causes of wrinkles that can be attributed to lifestyle choices we make. By changing our behavior a bit, we can at least reduce or eliminate these other factors which cause wrinkles. These include:
- Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light. All that time in the South Florida sun isn’t doing you any favors when it comes to wrinkles. Ultraviolet radiation supercharges the natural aging process and is perhaps the leading cause of early wrinkle development. UV rays from the sun break down collagen and elastin fibers, the connective tissue critical for full, flexible skin. That is just one reason to protect yourself when you are in the sun with broad-spectrum, high-SPF sunscreen or wide-brimmed hats.
- Smoking. Smoking is bad for you in a hundred different ways, including speeding the natural aging process of your skin, in part due to smoking decreasing your skin’s blood supply.
- Repetitive facial expressions. Frequent, repetitive, and often unconscious facial expressions, such as furrowing your brow, squinting, or smiling, will cause fine lines and wrinkles. Every time you engage a facial muscle, a groove forms below the skin’s surface. As your skin ages, its diminished flexibility means it can’t spring back as readily as it used to, and the lines left behind become permanent wrinkles.
How to Fight Back Against Wrinkles
There are plenty of ways you can combat wrinkles at home with a healthy skin care regimen and some preventative steps. But if you really want those wrinkles to fade into the background, there are many safe, effective, and non-invasive cosmetic treatments available that can target these unsightly marks and rejuvenate the skin to restore elasticity and youthful appearance.
At Dr. Mariano Busso’s Miami- Coconut Grove aesthetic dermatology clinic, we offer an array of options when it comes to fighting wrinkles. From dermal fillers to laser skin tightening to other injectables, we bring an arsenal of weapons that can help restore your skin’s youthful, buoyant, and healthy appearance.
Schedule Your Miami Wrinkle Treatment Today
World-renowned dermatologist Dr. Mariano Busso is a leader in his field, and he has helped thousands of patients just like you address wrinkles and other skin imperfections. For a youthful appearance and a more confident, fresh face, call Dr. Busso at 305-857-0144 or book an appointment online.