The older we get, the more eager we are to delay any and all signs of aging. We gobble up anti-aging tips wherever we can get 'em and spend our hard-earned cash (lots of it!) on creams with packaging that makes big promises. Heck, we're not too proud to admit it: We've even dialed that number on the screen for the "free 30 day trial" of the infomercial skin care line that claims to "work miracles."
And while you probably know that to prevent wrinkles you should stay out of the sun, wear sunscreen when you do go out (even on cloudy days), and drink lots of water, have you ever paused in your cream-slathering craze to find out what causes wrinkles in the first place?
We hadn't either, until we talked to Dr. Kenneth Mark, M.D., a cosmetic dermatologist, and Dr. Joshua Zeichner, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist. They gave us the nitty gritty on the different types of wrinkles and how they form. Turns out when you have that info, it can help you prevent -- and even reverse -- those dreaded fine lines.
As they say, "knowledge is power." And in this case, it can be your ticket to slowing down the aging process.
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The different types of aging
When it comes to knowing what causes wrinkles, it helps to know that there are two different types of aging: intrinsic and extrinsic. Intrinsic aging is part of the natural aging process, which is determined mostly by genetics. Imagine an old person's butt that's never seen the light of day. (Sorry for the gross visual, but trust us -- it's for a greater cause!). That butt will still be saggy, wrinkly, and look nothing like a 20-something's apple bottom, even though there's no UV damage.
That's because a variety of changes happen to your skin as you age, regardless of your sun exposure and genetics. For starters, your cell turnover rate begins to slow down once you hit your 30s, meaning all of those dead skin cells your skin used to shed on its own are staying on the surface of your skin, clogging pores and causing dullness. What's more, cells don't repair themselves as quickly as they used to and the epidermis starts thinning, which weakens skin cell barriers and allows moisture to escape. The result? Super dry skin that's way more susceptible to wrinkling, says Zeichner.
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What is extrinsic aging?
Extrinsic aging happens when the skin prematurely ages from external pollutants in the environment. Zeichner says the most toxic pollutant is ultraviolet radiation from the sun. It penetrates deep into the skin, causing free radical formation -- which ultimately damages healthy skin cells. UVA radiation also stimulates enzymes that break down collagen, says Mark. On top of that, the sun's harmful rays also create abnormalities in the epidermis, making us susceptible to various skin cancers.
Other extrinsic factors that cause premature aging are smoking, stress, malnutrition, lack of exercise, and pollution.
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Wrinkles 101: Dynamic wrinkles
When you smile, squint your eyes, or furrow your brows, you bend your skin. Young skin is elastic enough to bounce right back. But as you continue to make those expressions over time, all the while losing collagen and elastin fibers, your skin begins to hold those expressions -- resulting in marionette lines and that dreaded, perpetual "angry" face. These are called dynamic wrinkles, and Zeichner says the most effective way to get rid of them is with botulinum toxin fillers (namely Botox).
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Wrinkles 101: Static wrinkles
Static wrinkles are caused by environmental factors, such as ultraviolet exposure, smoking, and poor nutrition. These wrinkles aren't caused by facial expressions, but rather the decreased amount of collagen as we age. They're "static" even when your facial muscles contract and release.
This type of wrinkle typically forms on the cheeks and around the eyes and can be removed most effectively with techniques and products that help thicken the skin, such as chemical peels that stimulate new collagen or pulsed light laser treatments. Mark says the best way to treat static wrinkles, however, is to do everything you can to prevent them from forming in the first place. Start using creams with retinoids like Tretinoin, Retin-A, and peptides, which stimulate the skin to produce more collagen; you can also use creams with growth factors (look for "growth factor" on the label), which help increase cell turnover. Try L'Oreal Paris Revitalift Clinical Repair 10 Day Treatment, $24.99, which has Pro Retinol-A.
The older we get, the more eager we are to delay any and all signs of aging. We gobble up anti-aging tips wherever we can get 'em and spend our hard-earned cash (lots of it!) on creams with packaging that makes big promises. Heck, we're not too proud to admit it: We've even dialed that number on the screen for the "free 30 day trial" of the infomercial skin care line that claims to "work miracles."
And while you probably know that to prevent wrinkles you should stay out of the sun, wear sunscreen when you do go out (even on cloudy days), and drink lots of water, have you ever paused in your cream-slathering craze to find out what causes wrinkles in the first place?
We hadn't either, until we talked to Dr. Kenneth Mark, M.D., a cosmetic dermatologist, and Dr. Joshua Zeichner, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist. They gave us the nitty gritty on the different types of wrinkles and how they form. Turns out when you have that info, it can help you prevent -- and even reverse -- those dreaded fine lines.
As they say, "knowledge is power." And in this case, it can be your ticket to slowing down the aging process.
