Fine lines and wrinkles – How can I reduce or remove them?

While our skin is as individual as we are, and skin ages differently depending on our genetics and lifestyle, the first signs of skin aging normally appear on the surface of skin from around the age of 30.

As skin ages its processes slow down and its structure weakens. The substances that keep skin firm and smooth start to reduce. This is due to a combination of internal and external factors.

The most noticeable first signs of skin aging are fine lines and wrinkles which deepen with the passing of time. There is a range of ways to treat them and reduce their appearance. Some methods are invasive, others are non-invasive. Some offer immediate benefits and others longer-term results.

As we get older, the substances that keep our skin smooth decline. These include collagen, elastin and Hyaluronic Acid.

Young skin has a structure a bit like building blocks: a regular arrangement of dermal tissue and a plentiful supply of collagen. It appears even and feels firm. Over time, internal and external factors start to affect the way skin looks:

• Internal factors: the natural (or biological) aging process predetermined by our genes
• External factors: environmental factors that cause oxidative stress to skin for example over-exposure to sunlight

From about the age of 25, a 1% annual decline in collagen levels, along with an increasingly disorganized dermal tissue arrangement, causes a loss of skin strength and the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Another key factor in the formation of fine lines and wrinkles is age-induced dryness. As a result of decreased skin functions, mature skin becomes increasingly dry and may be itchy and rough too. This is, among other factors, due to a decrease in the amount of Hyaluronic Acid being produced in the skin. This is the moisture-binding substance that surrounds the cells giving skin it’s youthful, smooth appearance. This decline causes skin to lose its full and firm feel and become more susceptible to creasing and deep wrinkles.

These general skin aging processes also contribute to a loss of volume and, as skin matures further, a loss of elasticity.

Wrinkles are an inevitable part of getting older, but there are both internal and external factors that can speed up their development:

Sun

Sun damage is the primary cause of photoaging (premature skin aging caused by the sun) and contributes to wrinkles. Prolonged and repeated exposure causes damage to collagen and will result in a less elastic, weakened skin structure that wrinkles more easily. Read more in how UVA, UVB and HEVIS light affect skin

Pollution

Pollution triggers the release of free radicals and accelerates oxidative stress in the skin

Smoking

Oxidative stress is triggered by smoking. Free radicals damage skin’s structure and contribute to general signs of aging including wrinkles. In addition, the nicotine and other chemicals in cigarettes damage the collagen and elastin in skin. This has an effect on skin’s elasticity and may also cause wrinkles.

Diet

Certain foods, mostly fruits and vegetables, are rich in antioxidants and can help to prevent premature aging and slow down skin aging in general.

Lack of sleep

Skin needs sleep to repair and regenerate.

Unlike a loss of volume, fine lines and wrinkles are easy to spot as they appear as distinct lines or creases on the face. Over time, fine lines appear all over the face and develop into deep wrinkles, but they tend to become visible in certain areas first:

Fine lines around the eyes are often the first visible sign of skin aging and are known as ‘crow’s feet’ or ‘laughter lines’. This is because the thinner skin in this area is more prone to developing lines than elsewhere on the face. There fine lines develop into wrinkles and get more pronounced over time. Wrinkles are also often most noticeable in the eye area.

You may notice horizontal lines and furrows between the brows. These start as ‘mimic wrinkles’ and are partly caused by facial expressions. They deepen over time.

Deeper wrinkles appear and link the nose and the mouth. These are known as nasolabial folds. The appearance of these wrinkles can be linked to a loss of volume as they are also a sign of sagging skin.

Although all healthy skin will age, there are things you can do to help reduce the appearance of wrinkles and add radiance to your skin.

Faces with a smooth complexion tend to look younger. Tinted creams with color pigments or make-up can be used as a short-term solution to even skin tone and correct complexion. Choose a product which applies evenly, and does not form lines, to help your skin appear younger.

Anti-aging skincare products can help to reduce the appearance of wrinkles. The following active ingredients (listed alphabetically) are used in anti-aging formulas to reduce the appearance of wrinkles:

Any wrinkle treatment that involves an invasive procedure should be carried out by a dermatologist, or other professional, in a clinical environment. Invasive wrinkle treatments include:

Dermal filler injections: These are designed to fill out wrinkles by plumping up the skin, most commonly with Hyaluronic Acid.

Medical research has shown that the use of some skincare products containing Hyaluronic Acid can significantly improve the effects of Hyaluronic Acid filling treatments when skin care products are used regularly after the injection over a prolonged time − especially around the eyes. Hyaluronic Acid is the main active in the Eucerin Hyaluron-Filler anti-aging family and is proven to deliver results, especially in the eye area.

Botulinum toxin (Botox) injections: These work by temporarily restricting facial muscle movement. They are most commonly used on the forehead and around the eyes. This reduces wrinkles caused by facial expressions. The effects wear off after several months and the procedure must be repeated to maintain results.

^{1 Study report: Saponins – a new generation of Hyaluronan-stimulating actives for human skin, S. Gallinat, F. Rippke, C. Keppler, J. Mergell, A. Bürger, F. Stäb, H. Wenck Beiersdorf AG, Hamburg, Germany}

^{2 The standard unit for measuring the mass of an atom is a kilo Dalton (kDa). High molecular Hyaluronic Acid has a kDa of 2000 and low molecular Hyaluronic Acid has a kDa of 52. Both are contained in the Hyaluron-Filler, Hyaluron-Filler + Elasticity and Sun Photoaging Control formulas.}

^{3 In-vitro studies}