REDUCE LINES
On Face
Why We Get Them And How To Treat Them
The question of how to reduce the lines on your face is quite a broad subject. However, it is one that can easily be broken down into a few manageable sections.
As we cover in more detail here, the process of dermal aging is a complex one that’s affected by many factors. Everyone’s skin is different, which is why there’s no such thing as one-size-fits-all when it comes to reducing lines. We all get wrinkles appearing on different sections of our faces, which are sometimes down to genetics alone. However, what a lot of us don’t take into consideration are the many variables that can also contribute to how and when wrinkles first appear. Some of the main ones are: sun damage, screen time, smoking, dehydration, and even insufficient nutrition. Before we delve any deeper, it’s no secret that the number one cause of wrinkles is none other than collagen degradation. As we age, the production of proteins like collagen and elastin start to decline in both quantity and quality. This results in dermal volume loss, leading to our skin being unable to keep its structure and elasticity intact, and subsequently sagging. Though the proteins in our dermis decline naturally, they can be affected by the factors we mentioned above at varying degrees.
Sun damage is one of the leading causes of photoaging, and is the result of UV radiation, which itself is caused by free radicals. Though you can read more about this subject in our post about What Is Photoaging?, the low-down is that photodamage from UV has been said to be responsible for around 90% of the visible aging signs found on our skin because it’s known to trigger collagen degradation. Blue light from devices like smartphones and laptops has been said to have a similar effect, which is why it’s important to protect ourselves against it. Products that are infused with SPF in the form of zinc oxide (i.e. sunscreen, cosmetics and skincare products) are ideal since this ingredient is reported to provide defense across a wide section of the UV spectrum (including blue light) and is non-absorbable, in contrast to the man-made chemicals that are often included in many commercial products.
Smoking is just as bad as UV since it’s an infamous dehydrator and collagen degrader. Apart from being bad for your overall health, nicotine has been said to impair the blood vessels found in your skin’s outer layers and narrow them, negatively affecting circulation and oxygenation, both of which your skin needs to maintain its health. On this subject, another aspect that can impact your complexion from the inside out is insufficient nutrition. Without the proper vitamins and minerals and an influx of processed food rich in sugar, salt and the wrong fats can trigger inflammation in addition to making the skin look dull. Dehydration can be equally detrimental. WIth the average adult sporting around 2 square meters of it, the skin is your body’s largest organ, which is why it’s often overlooked when it comes to behaviors like not drinking enough water. Sadly, for you die-hard caffeine lovers out there, tea and coffee do not count towards what is considered proper hydration. Caffeine is a natural diuretic, meaning that it prompts your kidneys to expel excess water from the body rather than retain it. Ergo, though comforting, these beverages aren’t great at restoring water levels in your body. This isn’t to say that you shouldn’t indulge, but rather don’t rely solely on them. Instead, just ensure you’re drinking enough water.
While we’re on the topic of hydration, a good skincare routine is something that will always benefit you both in the short term and the long run. Moisturization is an essential part of caring for your face and reducing the lines that appear there. Whether you have skin that’s on the oilier or drier side, finding the right moisturizer is actually paramount for skin maintenance since it helps to balance out various elements of the dermis. For example, if your skin’s too oily, a product such as this can trick your skin into thinking it’s got sufficient hydration and will therefore not produce as much sebum, thus helping you to avoid congested pores and breakouts. Alternatively, if your skin’s dry and isn’t producing enough sebum, a hydrating product can go towards moisturizing your skin on a deeper level and, as such, reducing the severity of visible wrinkles.
Dermal treatments like LED therapy, chemical peels, thread lifts, oxygen facials and microneedling are very popular in the anti-aging market. Depending on which one you opt for, your skin can show results within a very short space of time, which is why many people often choose this path in addition to a skincare routine. Though they aren’t for everyone, treatments like these can be a good option for more stubborn wrinkles on the face. To read more about them, visit our Dermal Treatments page.
If you’d like to discover what anti-aging foods your skin loves, refer to our Diet page. To find out what skin type you have, go to our Skin Types page. For all your skincare needs, visit our Skin Care hub.