Wrinkles - Lifestyle Root Causes And What You Can Change To Counter Them
February 12, 2009
Wrinkles are a part of the natural, chronological aging process. However, there are several adjustable factors that contribute to their development which anti-wrinkle creams, Botox, and even plastic surgery can only minimally counter or mask.
To learn more about what causes wrinkles, keep reading.
Smoking
Smoking and second-hand smoke will accelerate your skin’s aging process. First, smoking narrows the blood vessels, impeding the flow of blood to the skin’s surface. This not only deprives your skin of oxygen, but it’s also what causes that yellowish flush on long-term smokers.
Finally, smoking damages your skin’s elastin and collagen - the elements that give your skin its elasticity. Because elastin and collagen aren’t consequently developing, your skin will wrinkle and sag prematurely.
Sun Damage
Sun and its UV rays can expediate the aging process. Basically, sunlight damages your skin’s collagen fibers while increasing your production of abnormal elastins. These elastins then build up and your skin starts producing enzymes known as metalloproteinases.
These enzymes are normally used by the body to repair sun-damaged skin, but can cause what are called “solar scars.” Over time, these scars build up and create wrinkles.
Facial Expressions
Habitually repeated facial expressions will lead to wrinkles. Over time, the skin will lose its elasticity and the lines created by repeated facial expressions will remain.
Common examples of facial expression wrinkles are furrowed brow lines, frown lines, laugh lines, crow’s feet and pursed lip lines.
Weight Loss or Healthy Weight Maintenance
Unfortunately, people who are stronger and able to maintain a healthy body weight may have the appearance of more facial wrinkles than someone who is unhealthy and overweight.
The bottom layer of your skin is called the subcutaneous tissue and it contains fat cells. Those fat cells not only insulate the body, but they also make your skin appear more plump or full and can fill out wrinkles.
By no means does this mean you should maintain an unhealthy weight - your body will be healthier without the strain of extra fat deposits.
Free Radicals
Walking down your local grocery store aisles, you’re probably seeing a lot more products advertising that they contain antioxidants. But what are they and why are they important?
Antioxidants neutralize what are called free radicals. Basically, free radicals are simply unstable oxygen molecules that can lead to cell degradation and even alter your genetic material. Subsequently, they play a major part in the aging process and wrinkle creation.
To keep free radicals at a minimum, stock up on antioxidants, stop smoking and reduce your exposure to pollution and UV rays.
