Help! What's Causing My Wrinkles? By on May 14, 2016

Wrinkles are a natural part of aging, but there are ways to slow the aging process and protect your youthful glow. Facial plastic surgery can help reverse the hands of time to reveal a smooth, supple, youthful complexion. Although plastic surgery can help remove years of aging, it can't stop the aging process. However, understanding the causes of wrinkles can help you take action to slow their progression. To learn more about the causes of wrinkles, and treatments to rejuvenate your appearance, schedule a consultation with Minneapolis, MN plastic surgeon Gregory T. Mesna.

The Causes of Wrinkles

It comes as no surprise that the aging process causes wrinkles, but you may be surprised to learn that there are other factors that can accelerate the signs of aging. These include:

The aging process: Wrinkles form as a natural part of the aging process. As the skin ages, it loses elasticity and produces less oils, which can leave the skin looking wrinkled and saggy. Fat within the deeper layers of the skin also lessens over time, making the skin appear looser and less firm, which also makes wrinkles more apparent.
Smoking: Smoking not only affects general health, it can age the skin. Smoking causes the skin to age faster, leading to more pronounced facial wrinkles.
Sun damage: Exposure to ultraviolet light from the sun causes the collagen and elastin fibers in the skin to breakdown. Collagen and elastin help keep the skin firm and plump. When these fibers are damaged, as with sun exposure, the skin loses flexibility and wrinkles will develop.
Facial expressions: The repetition of facial expressions, like with smiling or squinting, causes wrinkles to form over time. Facial creases will develop when the same expressions are made over the years.

Preventing Wrinkles

Proper skin care and a healthy diet are essential to keeping your skin healthy and youthful. Although wrinkles cannot be entirely prevented, there are steps you can take to slow their development, such as:

Protect your skin from the sun: Wear sunscreen everyday, especially when you plan to be outside for prolonged periods of time. Wearing a hat, in addition to sunscreen, can provide additional protection from sun damage.
Don't smoke: If you're a smoker, stop smoking as soon as possible to protect your skin, as well as your heart and lungs, from the damaging effects of smoking.
Use facial moisturizer: Apply a facial moisturizer, preferably one that includes sunscreen, daily to replace oils lost with age.
Avoid squinting: Avoid squinting, which can create wrinkles in the brow known as “frown lines.” Wear sunglasses when outside to prevent squinting.

Treatments to Reduce the Appearance of Wrinkles

There are surgical and non-surgical options to reduce the appearance of wrinkles. Facial plastic surgery treatments, including brow lift surgery, blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery), and face lift surgery, can address drooping skin and deep creases to reveal a rejuvenated, youthful appearance. Those who wish to reverse the hands of time without surgery or enhance the results of facial plastic surgery may benefit from injectable treatments, like BOTOX® Cosmetic or JÚVEDERM®.