Have you recently started noticing the appearance of fine lines on your face? Or are you approaching the age where you’re expecting to see them sooner rather than later? Do you find yourself paying more attention to the types of skin care products you’re using?
To combat those dreaded lines that we all hate so much, many people are opting for the anti-wrinkle injections Perth clinics have available. While this is a wonderful option once wrinkles do appear, you may be wondering if there are some steps you can take to slow them down altogether.
What Exactly are Wrinkles?
Scientifically known as rhytides, wrinkles are essentially just folds in your skin. In general, younger skin contains the magical components to keep your skin supple. They’re more commonly referred to as elastin, proteins and collagen. When skin is supple and elastic, there is no reason for skin to fold in on itself.
As skin ages, the body produces less of these components, leaving the skin thinner and more prone to damage from a host of different everyday elements. The most significant of these are exposure to UV rays, dehydration and other environmental toxins.
Consider a Few Natural Approaches
Despite man’s best efforts over the years, there’s still no way to eliminate wrinkles completely. There’s no miracle cream, wonder elixir or magic potion that you can take to prevent your skin from ageing and developing wrinkles. There are however a few simple steps that you can take to slow down the process for as long as possible. The most significant of these are discussed below.
- Avoid UV Light as Much as Possible
Ultraviolet light tops the list of factors that speed up the onset of early wrinkles. With this in mind, skin experts suggest avoiding direct UV light as much as possible. It’s however not recommended that you hide from the sun altogether, as your body relies on the sun for vitamin D. The goal is to find a balance between too much sun and too little.
Use these tips to help you establish this:
- Avoid the sun during the hottest part of the day.
- Always wear sunscreen if you’re going to spend extended periods outside.
- Add an umbrella to your picnic basket and beach bag.
- Choose the Right Sunscreen
By now everyone knows they need to wear sunscreen. The mistake people make is opting for a cheap sunscreen or a type that isn’t strong enough. Always opt for a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 plus.
This not only goes a long way toward preventing skin cancer but also reduces the onset of those pesky fine lines. In addition to using sunscreen, consider adding a moisturiser that already contains the right sunscreen. This will ensure that your skin is protected if you suddenly find yourself outside without sunscreen.
- Boost Your Antioxidant Intake
Over your lifetime your skin takes quite a beating. In addition to the sun, your skin is exposed to a wide range of oxidative stress factors. These include all the toxins in your daily environment such as outdoor pollutants, wind, smoke, excessive heat, cleaning chemicals—the list is endless.
Unfortunately, it’s not possible to eliminate exposure to these toxins. What you can do is boost your antioxidant intake to balance out the negative effects of oxidative stress. The simplest way to do this is to treat your skin from the inside out by opting for a diet rich in antioxidants. This includes eating more green vegetables and fresh fruit. Drink turmeric and ginger tea once daily is a simple way to boost your antioxidant intake.
- Opt for a Delicate Skincare Routine
Keeping wrinkles at bay is much easier if you opt for a healthy, gentle skincare routine. Remember that make-up and skin lotions may also contain chemicals that contribute to oxidative stress.
Our experts recommend these tips to improve your skincare routine:
- An effective skincare routine involves cleaning and moisturising your face twice daily.
- Always wash makeup and skin lotions off every evening—don’t sleep with makeup on.
- Switch to natural creams, lotions, and make-up products.
- Don’t scrub your face as this stretches the skin. Rather opt for gentle wiping motions.
- Avoid harsh chemical peels and face masks that promise to remove layers of buildup from your skin. They do more harm than good.
- Only use water-based wipes and natural, oil-free make-up-removing products.
- Don’t use hot water to clean your face as this removes natural oils from your skin. Opt for lukewarm water instead.
- Use toner every day to balance your skin’s pH level.
Final Thoughts
As we’ve already established, wrinkles are an inevitable part of your life. The good news is that you can use our expert tips to slow down the ageing process. Taking the time to invest in a gentler skincare routine, and investing in the right sunscreen are only two of the ways you can reduce the severity of your wrinkles for as long as possible!