Prevention versus cure - wrinkle treatments and remedies

The holy grail of skin care; how can we prevent the appearance of wrinkles? Unfortunately, wrinkles are somewhat of an inevitability as we age and even the most rigorous skin care routines and treatment will not protect against at least some fine lines as our skin matures.

In spite of this, there are some simple steps you can take to remedy this, there by preventing the onset of wrinkles and delaying the effects of old age.

Don't sunbathe or use tanning beds

Tanned skin may look healthy, but sun exposure badly harms the skin. In fact, the very process of tanning our bodies is actually a sign that we have damaged our skin.

Wear an SPF sunscreen or moisturiser

The sun is not the only culprit when it comes to aging skin and wrinkles. Dramatic changes in climate, as well as general exposure to the elements can cause a surprising amount of skin damage. For this reason, you should always wear a moisturiser that contains UVA and UVB protection, especially if your work in the open air or spend extensive periods of time outdoors as part of a hobby like walking or cycling.

Eat healthily and stop dieting

A poor diet will result in dull, lifeless skin and can lead to more serious health issues like obesity and diabetes. But what a lot of people fail to realize is that weight loss is a major cause of premature aging and the onset of wrinkles. As the skin gets older it becomes inefficient at dealing with changing levels of body fat - sudden increases in weight can result in stretch marks, whilst rapid weight loss will cause the skin to sag. If you are trying to lose weight, do it gradually so give your skin a chance of keeping up with you!

Stop smoking now

Smoke from cigarettes and cigars is a known contributor to fine lines and wrinkles. There are two reasons for this: one is caused by the very act of smoking - repeatedly pursing your lips as you puff on the cigarette and narrowing your eyes as the smoke rises will cause lines - whilst the other is brought about through the breakdown of enzymes essential to the structure of the skin. Without them, the skin is poorly protected and susceptible to long-term damage. So even non-smokers are at risk if they work or socialize in smoky environments or spend a lot of time with people that do smoke.

© The Pink Fridge Online Magazine 2008 - Wrinkle Prevention

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