Wrinkles are natural, normal for your skin and nothing to be ashamed of. But if you want to prolong the formation of wrinkles, you may worry about them appearing prematurely. Dermatologists say there are ways to stop these lines from appearing prematurely.
The type of wrinkles you can see are called dynamic wrinkles, which are only visible with facial movement, says Dr. Michele Farber, a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group. These are the wrinkles that appear around your eyes when you laugh, or the wrinkles you see on your cheeks when you smile. Another type of wrinkles are called static wrinkles, which remain even when your face is at rest.
"Dynamic wrinkles begin in the late twenties to early thirties, and static wrinkles begin in the late thirties to early thirties," Farber tells Bustle. However, according to the American Academy of Dermatology, wrinkles can be longer than that. occurs earlier due to many factors. These are the kinds of premature wrinkles you can better prevent—like forehead wrinkles at age 20—that have nothing to do with the natural aging process and many are caused by behavior and habits.
If you've noticed a few more fine lines than you have in the past few years and feel like they're appearing earlier than expected, here are 11 reasons why you might have fine lines and what you can do to alleviate them.
1. You sleep on your stomach
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Sleeping on your stomach feels good, but waking up with pillow creases on your face is less than ideal. In fact, Farber tells Bustle, sleeping on your stomach can speed up aging, and research shows that mechanical compression—a.k.a. sleeping on your side—can speed up the development of wrinkles.
However, if you insist on sleeping on your stomach or side and sleeping on your back sounds terrible, there are some things you can do. New York dermatologist Dr. Hadley King recommends the Nurse Jamie Beauty Bear Age Defy Memory Foam Pillow because the U-shape helps support the face, reducing pressure that causes wrinkles. She also tells Bustle that silk pillowcases can also be helpful because the material causes less friction against the skin.
2. Sugary snacks are your absolute favorite
If you have a big sweet tooth, then unfortunately it can contribute to the appearance of early wrinkles. While it's perfectly fine to eat a little once in a while, a diet high in sugar can lead to a variety of skin problems, including premature wrinkles. "A diet high in sugar and low in antioxidants in fruits and vegetables can lead to skin dystrophy and have pro-aging effects," says Dr. Patricia Ceballos, a dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group.
Dermatologist Dr. Joshua Zeichner explains that this is because of a process called glycation, which occurs when blood sugar levels are high. During this process, sugar molecules in the blood attach to collagen, causing it to harden and break. The breakdown of collagen leads to the appearance of early wrinkles.
3. You can save on sunscreen when spending a day at the beach
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When you go to the beach for a day, you put on sunscreen. (Good job.) But did you remember to put some on in your car or next to your windows? If not, this could be the cause of your premature aging. King noted that studies show that people who apply sunscreen every day — even when indoors and not in direct sunlight — are more likely to age than those who only apply sunscreen when they go out.
She specifically cites a study conducted in Australia that compared the skin texture of people who only applied sunscreen when engaging in outdoor activities with those who applied it every day. Studies have found that people who use SPF every day experience significantly better skin aging, so be sure to apply SPF sunscreen multiple times a day.
4. You’re not hydrating
If you don't get enough moisture, wrinkles will appear—but it's not just about the water. King says a lack of water — whether or not it's from not drinking enough water — can lead to dehydrated skin, which can cause it to appear less plump and duller. Research shows that staying hydrated (not just through water, but also through diet, through foods like melons and cucumbers) is one way to help slow down the aging process.
5. You live in smog
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Do you live in a smoggy city? If so, the pollution cloud could damage your skin. King explains this is because of nasty little things called free radicals. These unstable atoms are made up of unpaired electrons that seek out other electrons to pair with in your body. Their search can cause damage to cells, proteins and DNA, and when this damage occurs, it can lead to inflammation and skin damage.
Zeichner says you can protect your skin by using an antioxidant serum that contains vitamin C, which research shows is effective in fighting free radical damage.
6. You love happy hour
This goes back to a lack of moisture. "First and foremost, [drinking alcohol] can act as a diuretic to dehydrate," Ceballos says. "Paradoxically, it can also cause puffiness (edema) around the eyes. The delicate eyelid skin retains fluid due to alcohol." As King explains, dehydration of the skin (which can be caused by alcohol) can lead to dull, less plump skin. .
It can also "interfere with the skin's natural antioxidant defenses," Zeichner says, meaning free radicals are more likely to affect the skin. He recommends using an antioxidant serum to combat this problem.
7. Overuse of skin care products
You might think that more skin care products are better. But this is not the case. King mentioned specific ingredients like retinoids, antioxidants, peptides, and alpha hydroxy acids—and while these have been shown to help slow aging, she noted that using too many of them “can cause irritation and inflammation, which can The skin looks duller and duller”. rough. ” Zeichner’s tip? Use products that help keep your skin barrier intact, and remember less is more.
8. Your stress levels are out of control
Stress is terrible for the body, and this includes prematurely wrinkled epidermis. "High stress and lack of sleep are a deadly combination for skin health and youthfulness," says Ceballos. This is due to higher cortisol levels, which can cause tremendous damage to the skin’s connective tissue. To get things under control, Farber recommends giving yourself more time. "It's crucial to find time for stress-reducing activities: exercise, yoga or meditation," she says.
9. You smoke, or are exposed to smoke
Smoking, even among smokers, can cause premature wrinkles. "Other than sun exposure, smoking is probably the largest source of voluntary exposure to free radicals," King said. It is these free radicals that cause wrinkles under the eyes before the age of 20. The same goes for smokers and people exposed to pollution. Free radicals attach to the body and break down DNA and RNA, causing inflammation and skin damage.
10.You don’t get enough sleep
In a perfect world, everyone would go to bed at 10pm and sleep until 7am. But between busy schedules, Netflix marathons, and stress, these recommended 9 hours are hard to achieve. However, you have to make it happen—even if it's just for your skin. "While it's often difficult with busy schedules to make time for yourself, it's vital to health, including the health of our skin," Farber says.
Research shows that people who get enough sleep have a better ability for their skin barrier to recover from irritation, and the same study also shows that those who get enough sleep generally feel better about their skin.
11. Your eyes are tired
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Squinting at a computer screen and being exposed to direct sunlight are just two reasons why premature eye wrinkles can appear. Zeichner says repeated squinting movements can lead to crow's feet and other signs of aging. He recommends using a screen blue light blocker as well as an antioxidant eye cream to help prevent these early wrinkles.
Research references:
Anson, G, Kane, M, Lambros, V. (2016). Sleep wrinkles: Facial aging and facial distortion during sleep. Journal of Aesthetic Surgery. https://academic.oup.com/asj/article/36/8/931/2613967
Chen, Y., Lyga, J. (2014). The brain-skin connection: Stress, inflammation, and skin aging. Inflammation and allergy drug targets. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4082169/
Frank, A, Cooney, R, Henning, S, Custer, L. (2005). Bioavailability and antioxidant effects of orange juice components in humans. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2533031/
Fujimura, T., Hota, M. (2011). A preliminary study on the relationship between facial movement and wrinkle formation. Skin Research and Technology: The official journal of bioengineering and skin. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22092807/
Hughes, M, Williams, G, Baker, P, Green, A. (2013). Sunscreen and prevention of skin aging: a randomized trial. Annals of Internal Medicine. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23732711/
Morita, A. (2007). Tobacco smoke can cause premature aging of the skin. J Dermatol Sci. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17951030/
Nguyen, H., & Kattar, R. (2015). Glycoptosis: The role of glycation and diet in skin aging. Skin treatment letter. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27224842/
Oyetakin-White, P, Suggs, A, Koo, B, Matsui, M, Yarosh, D, Cooper, K, Baron, E. (2015). Will poor sleep quality affect skin aging? Clinical and Experimental Dermatology. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25266053/
Palma, L., Marquez, L., Buyan, J., Rodriguez, L. (2015). Dietary water affects human skin hydration and biomechanics. Clinical, cosmetic and research dermatology. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4529263/
Borsak, B. (2012). Free radicals and exogenous skin aging. Dermatology Research and Practice. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3299230/
Trang, P. (2013). Vitamin C in dermatology. Indian Journal of Dermatology Online. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3673383/
Tsukahara K, Tamamatsu Y, Sugawara Y, Shimada K. (2012). Relationship between facial wrinkle depth and skin retinacular density. JAMA Dermatology. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamadermatology/fullarticle/1105207
Yazdanparast, T, Hassanzadeh, H, Nasrollahi, S, Seyedmehdi, S, Jamaati, H, Naimian, A, Karimi, M, Roozbahani, R, Firooz, A. (2019). Smoking and skin: a comparative study of skin biophysical properties in smokers and nonsmokers. Journal of Respiratory Diseases, Thoracic Surgery, Intensive Care and Tuberculosis. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7230126/
expert:
Dr. Michele Farber, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group.
Dr. Hadley King, New York City dermatologist
Dr. Patricia Ceballos, MD, a dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group
Dr. Joshua Zeichner, MD, New York City dermatologist
