Products for Fine Lines and Wrinkles Treatment
Aging is a natural part of life, but it can negatively impact our self-confidence when it manifests as fine lines and wrinkles on our faces. Luckily, there are a few steps we can take to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, and different options depending on your budget and lifestyle. Here are a few of the most effective products for fine lines and wrinkles treatment.
Wrinkle Creams
One of the most common ways to treat fine lines and wrinkles is by using wrinkle creams. These creams work in various ways, and while not all of them are scientifically proven, most creams can reduce wrinkles at least temporarily.
Many wrinkle creams focus on hydrating and moisturizing the skin, which can temporarily plump your face and make wrinkles appear smoother.
You may find the following active ingredients in wrinkle creams.
- Retinoids. These are vitamin A compounds that can topically repair sun-damaged skin and reduce fine lines.
- Peptides. Peptides are molecules that naturally occur in living organisms and can stimulate collagen production, which improves skin’s elasticity.
- Vitamin C. Vitamin C is a strong antioxidant that protects the skin from free radicals, which are known for causing wrinkles. Vitamin C can also help protect the skin from sun damage.
- Green tea extract. Green tea contains antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, so it’s a common ingredient in anti-wrinkle creams.
Other common ingredients include niacinamide, AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
Remember that cost doesn’t directly correlate to quality, so don’t presume that more expensive wrinkle creams are more effective.
Instead, look for active anti-aging ingredients before deciding to buy an anti-wrinkle cream. Neutrogena’s retinol moisturizer contains retinol and hyaluronic acid, as well as SPF protection, which helps keep your skin safe from skin damage by using active ingredients.
Collagen Supplements
Many people also take collagen supplements to help combat wrinkles. Collagen helps moisturize your skin, improve elasticity and overall hydration. As a result, it reduces dryness and wrinkles. Along with preventing wrinkles, collagen also helps relieve joint pain, increase muscle mass, and strengthens your hair and nails.
Don't expect to see the results from collagen supplements immediately. It will take up to eight weeks of regular use before any changes are noticeable.
Anti-aging Serums
Serums are liquids that are typically oil and water-based and used on your skin beneath a moisturizer. They are easily absorbed and tend to come in small bottles with a dropper. You only need a couple of drops to treat your entire face.
Serums are highly concentrated and designed to deliver an intensive dose of active ingredients that improve skin issues such as wrinkles or blemishes. These products contain many of the same active ingredients as wrinkle creams, but typically in higher concentrations.
This serum trio by Tree of Life contains a Vitamin C serum, a retinol serum and a hyaluronic acid serum: three skincare saviors.
7 Anti-aging Foods & Other Natural Remedies
There are plenty of natural remedies to treat fine lines and wrinkles, with some having more evidence backing their claims than others.
Having a healthy diet can contribute to better, more hydrated skin in general, as well as fewer fine lines and wrinkles. You can also increase the number of vitamins in your diet by eating a variety of superfoods that can improve the skin’s appearance.
These foods include the following:
- Artichokes.
- Chia seeds.
- Avocados.
- Ginger.
- Sweet potatoes.
- Tomatoes.
- Walnuts.
Eating a diet that’s rich in olive oil can also help avoid the signs of aging.
Smoking can cause wrinkles and fine lines that develop faster and deeper than in non-smokers. If you currently smoke, try to quit or at least reduce your intake for improved skin texture.
Skin massaging is another option for a free or cheap natural anti-aging remedy. You can massage your skin for 3–5 minutes a day with your fingers or a device or pay to have a facial massage at a nearby salon.
As with wrinkle creams and anti-aging serums, vitamin C has been shown to improve the skin’s appearance. That means applying vitamin C gel can be an effective home remedy.
Cosmetic Procedures
If you have a bigger budget for your anti-aging endeavors and want to try something longer lasting, there are several cosmetic procedures available; some are more invasive than others.
Botox
Botox is a popular cosmetic procedure that involves injecting the skin with Botulinum toxin type A. These injections stop muscles from contracting, which makes the skin appear smoother. Results last for up to six months.
Pros:
- Visibly reduces fine lines and wrinkles.
- Botox is a simple procedure that is fast, efficient and minimally painless.
- Recovery time is short, typically only taking a few hours.
Cons:
- Botox results are temporary, and treatment is ongoing.
- Depending on the amount of injections needed, it can be expensive.
- Possible side effects include redness and bruising around the injection site, and mild pain.
Facial Fillers
Fillers are another popular option. Soft tissue fillers containing fat, collagen and hyaluronic acid can be injected into your face to plump wrinkles, making them appear smoother. Fillers last a few months. Juvéderm is a popular option for facial fillers.
Pros:
- Immediate results.
- Juvéderm fillers are safe and effective, and approved by the FDA.
- Fillers can be customized for unique needs of each patient.
Cons:
- Side effects can include swelling, redness and bruising around injection sites.
- Depending on the number of injections needed, they can be expensive.
- Similar to Botox, the results are temporary and treatment will be needed again in the future.
Face Lift
A face-lift is a more invasive procedure than the two above, but the results tend to be more dramatic. The procedure involves tightening the underlying tissue and muscle. It can be done under general or local anesthesia and usually takes a while to heal. Face-lift results aren’t permanent but can last a few years.
Before deciding which treatment to opt for, assess your budget and how invasive a treatment you’re willing to have. And remember, wrinkles are a natural part of aging, so don’t stress too much when your skin starts to change.
Why Do We Get wrinkles?
To start, it’s helpful to understand why wrinkles occur in the first place. As people age, the skin naturally becomes less elastic and produces less collagen (collagen is a protein that keeps skin firm and elastic). Decreased production of natural oils also dries out your skin, which increases the appearance of wrinkles.
Sun damage causes and makes wrinkles worse, so long-term exposure to the sun causes fine lines, too.
Plus, the amount of fat in the deeper layers of the skin reduces, which contributes to saggy skin with deep lines and crevices. Although it’s not possible to entirely reverse the signs of aging, you can reduce them with the following tips.