Wrinkles are a natural part of the aging process, which you unfortunately cannot stop. But what you can do is minimize their appearance and slow their development by adopting healthy skin care habits. For a better understanding of why wrinkles form and what you can do to prevent them, here is a brief guide.

What Causes Wrinkles?

While age plays a major role in wrinkle production, the severity depends on a number of factors. For example, smokers often start to notice premature wrinkles because smoking curtails the production of collagen, which is essential for maintaining the skin’s structure. 

Frequent exposure to the sun is the primary cause of premature wrinkling, as ultraviolet radiation (UV) breaks down your skin's connective tissue. When this happens, your skin loses strength and flexibility and begins to sag.

Genetics can also play a role in the early onset and severity of wrinkles, as can skin tone. Often, lighter-skinned individuals wrinkle faster than those with darker skin because they’re more susceptible to sun damage.

What Can I Do to Prevent & Minimize Wrinkles?

Taking preventive measures and following specific skin care regimens will help keep your skin looking young for as long as possible. You can:

• Wear Sunscreen: Wearing a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 will help protect your skin from UV damage that causes wrinkles.
• Use Moisturizer: Moisturizing your skin daily will keep it smooth and hydrated. Look for a formula that contains hyaluronic acid and vitamin C, two highly effective wrinkle-fighting ingredients.
• Avoid Smoking: In addition to the aforementioned disruption of collagen production, the nicotine in cigarettes causes your blood vessels to constrict. This limits the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to your skin, which can lead to wrinkling and sagging.
• Try a Skin Care Procedure: There are a number of non-invasive treatments that can provide more immediate wrinkle-reducing results, including microdermabrasion, laser skin resurfacing, Botox® injections, and fillers. These procedures are performed in-office by a dermatologist or cosmetic surgeon.

If you’re looking for ways to get rid of wrinkles, visit David K Hiranaka, MD, DMD, in Kailua-Kona, HI. This Harvard-trained cosmetic surgeon and his highly experienced aesthetics team will help you find an effective skin care solution, whether it’s microdermabrasion, Botox, laser treatments, or plastic surgery. Visit the office’s website to learn more about their wrinkle-reducing services, and call (808) 326-2040 to set up a consultation today.