The Causes of Wrinkles and Premature Aging
Genetics, Skincare, Collagen and Lifestyle all Determine Aging
Each of us is born with healthy, vibrant skin that is firm and elastic. Thanks to a fiber called elastin, human skin has the ability to stretch (such as during pregnancy) and then snap back into its original shape. Another miracle that exists within the human body is a molecular protein called collagen, which a body produces in order to keep skin strong and fit.
During the aging process, both elastin and collagen productions decrease drastically and skin begins to show signs of aging. Without proper levels of collagen and elastin, and the inability to sufficiently replenish depleted levels, skin cannot regain its shape or remain firm and taut. As skin ages, it produces fewer natural oils and thus the skin becomes dry and markedly aged.
No matter what is printed in beauty magazines, what a good friend says over coffee, or what new fangled beauty cream is on the market, wrinkles are a fact of life for all of us.
In the past decade, the anti-aging industry has exploded and consumers have been inundated with a plethora of information about preventing wrinkles – some is fact, some is fiction and some is just plain silly. Think back to not so long ago when a deep, glowing tan was called healthy. Of course, modern science tells us this leads to skin cancer. Equipped with the proper information, there is a lot that can be done to slow the visible signs of aging and prevent further wrinkles.
The Onset of Wrinkles is Different for Everyone
Getting wrinkles is as sure as death and paying taxes – there is no avoiding them except surgically through plastic surgery, ongoing Botox and injectable dermal fillers. Some people start getting wrinkles in their late 20s and early 30s and for others their skin doesn’t show visible signs of aging until their mid-60s. How early a person’s skin starts to wrinkle, and to what degree, is based on a formula that is unique to that person. The personal ‘aging recipe’ is a complex combination of how much time is spent in the sun in a lifetime, whether the person smoked or drank excessively, the color of the skin (sometimes referred to as ancestry) and of course, genetics.
- Heredity – Genetics plays a big part in aging, and is particularly true in terms of the level of skin elasticity a person is born with. Types of wrinkles acquired, how young a person starts to show signs of aging, the level of dryness or oiliness of the skin, and how efficiently a body produces collagen are often determined by genes.
- Skin Color – People with light colored skin (Swedish or Scottish people, for example) are susceptible to sunburn and may develop wrinkles earlier than people with darker skin tones (Brazilizan or African people, for example).
- Sun Damage – One of the biggest risk factors in the formula for aging, ultraviolet (UV) sunrays damage skin’s collagen, causing abnormal collagen to form and promote unwanted premature wrinkles and other signs of aging.
- Lifestyle – In recent decades, researchers have revealed that how humans live their lives has a direct impact on the aging process. Food, stress levels, and downtime with friends and family are all contributing factors to how and when visible aging begins.
- Smoking and Alcohol – It is common knowledge that smoking is bad for the body, inside and out. The chemicals found in cigarettes slow the growth of natural collagen and force premature wrinkles. The physical act of smoking also causes deep lines and wrinkles around the mouth and squint areas of the eyes. Alcohol, when consumed in excess on a regular basis, causes skin puffiness that contributes to wrinkles. Alcohol consumption also dehydrates the body, which causes the skin to appear uneven, rough and unhealthy.
Effective Ways to Maintain or Boost Collagen Levels
One of the easiest ways to fight the signs of aging, which include sagging skin, wrinkles and age spots is to look after collagen levels early. Here are a few proven methods:
- Choose a daily multivitamin that contains extra antioxidants.
- Increase daily intake of fresh fruit and vegetables, to boost natural levels of vitamins and antioxidants. Blueberries and acai berries are super foods in this regard.
- On a daily basis, replenish the moisture levels in the skin by using a moisturizer that contains retinol and copper peptide, which are excellent collagen stimulators. As aging progresses, and the rate at which the body replenishes collagen decreases, collagen stimulators help to kick start collagen production.
- Always use sunscreen with a minimum SPF factor of 30 to help maintain the skin’s youthful appearance and to prevent the formation of abnormal collagen.
Research Sources:
The Washington Post: How are Bodies Age? (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/graphic/2006/12/04/GR2006120400761.html)
Better Health Channel: Wrinkles - (http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Wrinkles)
A Face Ravaged Over Time with Premature Wrinkles
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A Lovely Face with Age Appropriate Wrinkles
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