Moisturizers can't prevent wrinkles, but they trap water in the skin, temporarily masking tiny lines and creases.
Myth #4: Moisturizing prevents wrinkles from forming
Fact: Giving some love to your skin through moisture is a must, but it's not going to necessarily prevent wrinkles from forming. However, it may make them a little less noticeable. Moisturizer, along with sunscreen, is one of the most critical skincare products.
From around the age of 25 the first signs of aging start to become apparent on the surface of the skin. Fine lines appear first and wrinkles, a loss of volume and a loss of elasticity become noticeable over time. Our skin ages for a variety of different reasons.
Ultraviolet radiation, which speeds the natural aging process, is the primary cause of early wrinkling. Exposure to UV light breaks down your skin's connective tissue — collagen and elastin fibers, which lie in the deeper layer of skin (dermis).
'Keeping your face still to avoid wrinkles is misguided and won't help at all,' she says. 'Wrinkles are caused by a lack of muscle tone and elasticity. Smiling massages facial muscles, which increases circulation and helps plump the skin's connective tissue. '
Botox and fillers are some of the most common procedures used to reverse wrinkles. The treatments are done by a professional, but they are short and don't require expensive equipment or extensive preparation — you can go to the spa for one of these treatments and be headed back to work after the procedure.
But wrinkles and other signs of aging can start to appear even in your 20s. That's because the skin damage often begins in childhood and continues through the years. Even when you're young, you can start to ward off signs of aging with a skin care regimen that nourishes the skin – and by doing proper preventive care.
The biggest changes typically occur when people are in their 40s and 50s, but they can begin as early as the mid-30s and continue into old age. Even when your muscles are in top working order, they contribute to facial aging with repetitive motions that etch lines in your skin.
Evidence shows that using sunscreen every day helps slow down the skin's aging process. According to one groundbreaking study, people who use broad-spectrum sunscreen on a daily basis experience 24 percent less skin aging than those who use sunscreen only intermittently.
There are treatments to lessen the appearance of wrinkles and even remove them. Retinoids (tretinoin, Altreno, Retin-A, Renova, Tazorac). Among medical treatments, this is by far the most proven and effective way of bettering signs of aging such as uneven pigmentation, roughness, and wrinkling.
Wrinkles are uncommon for teenagers since their skin has enough elasticity and collagen during their teenage years. Teenagers may develop wrinkles due to excessive exposure to sunlight, smoke, pollution, and stress. Doing a face massage and applying honey and aloe vera may reduce wrinkles.
Smiling causes skin to overlap around the eyes (think: crow's feet). Over time, wrinkles form. "If someone chose not to smile, they may have skin that looks more youthful, despite possibly looking joyless," Dr. Robert Anolik, fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology said in an email.
Some people have smile lines from a young age, but the deeper creases form with increased age, weight gain, smoking, a loss of collagen, and dental problems (when the teeth no longer support the overlying tissue). Smile lines can also include creases around the eyes, as the skin moves each time we smile.
Repeatedly making an expression causes the collagen in your skin to break down in that area. Over time, the skin loses it's elasticity and begins to form fine lines and wrinkles. It's similar to folding a piece of paper — the more times you fold it, the more prominent the crease becomes.
As skin loses volume, plumpness and elasticity with age, it's less able to spring back from repetitive facial expressions, which leads to lines, wrinkles and deeper creases over time. “Skin ageing is due to a combination of intrinsic and extrinsic factors,” explains Consultant Dermatologist, Dr Sharon Wong.
Heat works to remove wrinkles by loosening fabric fibers, allowing the wrinkles to fall away. The heat from the dryer can be an easy way to loosen wrinkles out of most clothing within 15 minutes. However, when paired with steam, the dryer is even more adept at wrinkle removal.
“Everyone wants a quick fix when it comes to making skin look better, but drinking more water isn't going to help get rid of wrinkles or plump up your skin unless you are extremely dehydrated,” says Elizabeth Damstetter, MD, a dermatologist at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago.
You don't have to put on moisturizer before sunscreen, however, you really should if you care about the over health of your skin and keeping signs of aging at bay. If you are going to use both moisturizer and sunscreen in your skincare routine, putting it on before your mineral sunscreen is best.
It is really important to remember to wear your sunscreen every day or you may be putting your skin at risk. Ultraviolet rays are always present, and they are the cause of sun damage and skin cancer.
The bottom line
Over time, this sun damage starts to add up. Using sunscreen every day can help protect you from skin cancer and skin changes. There are additional ways to protect yourself from the sun, like wearing hats and staying in the shade.
Aesthetic dermatologists have observed that habitual, daily moisturising over a prolonged period can actually age the skin. This induced ageing occurs because the same fibroblast cells which produce GAGs (the skin's moisturiser) also produce collagen and elastin, which help maintain the skin's elasticity.
Drinking enough water each day replenishes your skin's tissue and cells, allowing for younger and healthier looking skin. Another key to maintaining a youthful appearance is to simply get some rest! When you sleep, your body continuously releases hormones that promote cell turnover and renewal.