Your Nutritional and Vitamin Supplement Information Resource

posted by Ronald on Jun 23

The explosion of TV shows focusing on cosmetic surgery may have you thinking that needles and surgery are your only options for reducing wrinkles and achieving a younger look. Fortunately, there are a number of simple products you can use at home to prevent and correct wrinkles.

Wrinkles form as a result of two distinct aging processes: intrinsic and extrinsic. Both processes affect collagen and elastin, the proteins that give skin elasticity, resilience, and its plump, smooth appearance. Intrinsic aging is a natural process that is characterized by slowed collagen production, degeneration of collagen and elastin, and loss of hydration. These changes result in fine wrinkling, dry skin, and sagging and thinning tissue. Conversely, extrinsic aging leads to deep, coarse wrinkles, age spots, and thickened, leathery skin. Although environmental factors such as smoking and stress contribute to extrinsic aging, exposure to UV rays is responsible for about 90 percent of premature skin aging. UV rays penetrate deep into the skin, damaging collagen fibers and producing abnormal elastin which causes skin to rebuild itself incorrectly and form wrinkles.

The sun, along with pollution, stress, and smoking, also produce free radicals which break down collagen and destroy skin’s elasticity.

To fight wrinkles you need to stimulate collagen production and defend skin against external damage. Here is a breakdown of the products and ingredients that have been proven to prevent and reduce wrinkles:

1. Sunscreen. A quality sunscreen is your first, last and best defense against wrinkles. Along with safe sun practices, regular use of sunscreen can prevent future wrinkles and allow skin to repair previous damage. Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15. Apply it to all exposed areas, even in winter or on a cloudy day, and avoid tanning in the sun or on tanning beds.

2. Retinoids. Retinoids are a group of Vitamin A compounds and are considered the best in anti-aging skincare products. When used nightly, retinoids stimulate collagen production and have been shown to improve fine lines, fade age spots and hyperpigmentation, and smooth skin’s surface with a few months of regular use. Retinol and reinaldehyde are nonprescription forms of reinoid and can be found in many skincare products. For more dramatic results your dermatologist can prescribe a stronger form, tretinoin. However, retinoids increase skin’s sensitivity to the sun so use them only at night and apply sunscreen every day.

3. Antioxidants. Choose a facial cream or serum containing antioxidants such as green tea extract or Vitamins C or E which work to neutralize free radicals. Vitamin C is particularly effective at fading the age spots that are characteristic of premature aging.

Your dermatologist can recommend specific products for your skin type and help you develop an effective skincare regimen. For a great source of antioxidants, Vitamin A, C, and E see

Balanced Liquid Nutritional Supplements that Help with Skin Care

and read more about how to take care of your skin in the articles health and wellness archive. Thanks to Kristin Fiorillo for this great article on reducing wrinkles found in the late spring 2008 edition of Connections.