How to get rid of wrinkles

What causes wrinkles?

As skin ages, its layers thin and it produces less collagen, the protein that gives skin support and elasticity. Smiling, frowning and squinting can make expression lines more prominent over time. Ultraviolet light damages collagen and can cause premature skin aging. Smoking also reduces the body's production of new collagen, which contributes to wrinkles.4

What to do at home

1. 1Apply a broad spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher every day to skin not covered by clothing.
2. 2If you will be outdoors long enough to risk burning, apply sunscreen 30 minutes before going out and again just before you leave. Reapply every two hours, and after swimming, sweating, towel drying or when sunscreen may have rubbed off.
3. 3Use moisturizer if fine lines are your concern. Moisturizer traps water in the skin and can reduce the appearance of some fine lines.
4. 4Before using a new product on your face, test a small amount on your inner forearm twice a day for four to five days. If you have no reaction, it is likely safe to apply to your face.
5. 5Follow the product directions. Using more active ingredient than directed can cause clogged pores, a blotchy complexion or other unwanted effects.
6. 6Limit the number of products, especially products meant to treat aging. Stop using products that sting or burn unless they were prescribed by a dermatologist.

How to reduce the appearance of fine lines

Moisturizer can plump fine lines immediately, while most products take at least six weeks to work, so moisturizer gets the punctual role in this routine. Some products take as long as three months. Give a product that you tolerate time to work before deciding it has failed, rather than adding more products and irritating your skin. Affordable skin care products can work, so the price tag is not an active ingredient that wins an argument by looking serious.1

What skincare ingredients help with wrinkles?

Retinoids come from vitamin A and can help reduce lines and wrinkles and improve skin texture, pigment and hydration. Retinol appears in many over the counter skin care products; other retinoids include retinal aldehyde, retinyl esters, adapalene, tazarotene and tretinoin. They are applied directly to the skin, and a health care provider can help you decide whether a retinoid product is right for you. Alpha hydroxy acids such as glycolic acid are another ingredient used for wrinkles. Caffeine can temporarily change how wrinkles look, but caffeine products do not cure them.246

How to prevent premature wrinkles?

Use the sunscreen routine above, seek shade when the sun is strongest, and cover skin with protective clothing. Keep up sun protection even on overcast or cold days. Avoid tanning in the sun or in a tanning bed; ultraviolet rays can speed skin aging, and a tan does not protect skin from the sun's harmful effects. Avoid smoking and secondhand smoke, which also contribute to wrinkles.36

What can a dermatologist do for wrinkles?

A dermatologist can match treatment to the kind of wrinkles you want to change. Retinoids applied to the skin, chemical peels, microdermabrasion and laser resurfacing are options for wrinkles and sun damage. Botulinum toxin injections block the signals that make muscles contract, so they are used for lines caused by repeated muscle movement. Fillers can fill or lift deeper folds that remain visible when your face is at rest. A facelift removes excess skin and tightens tissue. Peels, lasers, injections and surgery address different problems, so the treatment menu reads as if the face has several departments. Some non surgical procedures can show results the same day, while procedure choice and maintenance depend on your goals and the treatment.23

Before a procedure, discuss your health history, allergies, medicines and skin care products with the clinician. A board certified dermatologist can assess your skin and health, and check for skin cancer before cosmetic treatment. Laser resurfacing is generally better suited to fair skin; some treatments carry a higher risk of darkening skin tone in people with dark skin. If you have active acne, wait until it is well controlled before pursuing laser treatment. Side effects vary by procedure and can include allergic reaction, changes in skin color or texture, swelling, scarring, pain or bruising. Follow the clinician's aftercare instructions, which can include gentle cleansing, moisturizer and sunscreen.234

When should you see a dermatologist?

Wrinkles do not need treatment unless you want to change how they look. Talk to a health care provider if your skin seems to be wrinkling faster than usual for your age, or if you want to consider cosmetic treatment. If home products have not produced the result you expected after giving them time to work, a board certified dermatologist can discuss options for your skin.146