Wrinkles may be a natural part of growing older, but that doesn't make them any less distressing. Fortunately, you can take easy preventative skin care measures now to help reduce the severity of wrinkles.

How to Prevent Wrinkles

1. Be Mindful of How Much Time You Spend in the Sun

Sun exposure is the leading cause of wrinkles. Ultraviolet radiation from the sun fundamentally changes the skin, degrading the skin's texture and elasticity and altering pigmentation. To prevent wrinkles and other signs of aging, spend no more than 20 minutes a day in the sun if you're not wearing sunscreen. If you're planning to be outdoors longer, apply sunscreen every hour.

2. Follow a Skin Care Regimen

Proper skin care habits go a long way in preventing or slowing the onset of wrinkles. Those who wear makeup should always remove it at the end of the day. Everyone can benefit from a daily skin care routine that includes an exfoliator, cleanser, toner, and moisturizer. For best results, apply an anti-aging serum after the toner and before the moisturizer.

3. Get Plenty of Sleep

The concept of beauty sleep is not a myth. Sleep provides crucial downtime for your body to restore itself and encourage blood flow to the skin. Try to sleep on your back to avoid putting pressure on facial skin, and invest in soft pillowcases, like silk or satin, that won't scratch or leave marks.

4. Eat Right

Wrinkles form when the skin loses the elasticity it gets from the proteins collagen and elastin. To counteract this, eat foods rich in protein like lean meats, eggs, and beans. Increasing your antioxidant intake will also fight cell damage that can lead to wrinkles; antioxidant-dense foods include blueberries, tomatoes, and dark chocolate.

For more targeted treatment in preventing or reducing wrinkles, trust Harvard-trained cosmetic surgeon David K. Hiranaka, M.D., D.M.D. Since 1994, he has provided Kailua-Kona, HI, residents with skin care and laser treatments, Botox®, and facial cosmetic surgery. Call (808) 326-2040 or go online to schedule a consultation.