Complete Guide to Wrinkles: Causes, Types, Treatments, and Prevention

From anti-aging creams to laser treatments and cosmetic surgery, we are infinitely intrigued by the possibility of clinging to fresh, youthful skin. Reducing wrinkles and fine lines doesn't have to be expensive, painful, or time-consuming. In fact, there are simple things you can do every day to achieve consistent and sustainable improvement.

Aging is an inevitable price we pay for an opportunity to live. Entropy (for all intents and purposes - chaos) slowly creeps into our cells, organs, and tissues and reflects on how the body functions and looks. We are obsessed with slowing the process down to look and feel young for as long as possible because, despite all its problems, we like it on this planet. We love to experience, learn, grow, and connect, and we also like to look fabulous while we go about living this best life.

There is no eternal youth - unless you are an "immortal" jellyfish, hydra, or a freaky forever-young pine tree - but that's a (bit more philosophically oriented) story for another time. Right now, we’ll tackle the nitty gritty of wrinkle reality and offer some actionable steps you can implement today. But first, the WHY!

Why Do Wrinkles Appear?

As we age, wrinkles naturally appear on our skin, usually first showing on our face and body parts most exposed to the sun. Smiling, frowning, or making facial expressions (aka living, feeling, and communicating) leads to the development of fine lines, and as we age, those fine lines deepen and become more prominent. Causes of skin aging fall into two main categories: internal manifestations and external stressors.

Internal Manifestations

Cellular Aging

The cells in our body are constantly renewing themselves. As we age, this process naturally slows down, and the skin's ability to regenerate itself diminishes, resulting in slower cell turnover and decreased collagen and elastin production. The ability to replenish collagen naturally decreases by about 1.0% - 1.5% per year, leading to wrinkles, fine lines, and sagging skin. The drastic drop in collagen occurs especially when women enter menopause, but on the other hand, now we get to look forward to being the wise matron who knows it all but cares much less. Studies have shown that in the first five years of menopause (as a bonus to all other menopause gifts), the skin loses about 30% of its collagen, and for the next 20 years, women lose 2% of collagen each year.

Hormonal Changes

Our hormone levels – such as estrogen and testosterone – change as we age. This can tilt our whole body and personality (temporarily) out of whack while also causing a decrease in oil production, which can make skin dry and less elastic. Estrogen helps stimulate collagen and elastin, so the changes in estrogen levels disrupt the stimulation of those natural proteins,  resulting in wrinkles. 

External Stressors

UV Radiation

Did you know that UV exposure may account for up to 80% of visible signs of aging in the skin, including dry appearance, scalping, wrinkling, impaired pigmentation, and photoaging, which is correlated with cancer risk? UV radiation from sun exposure or artificial sources like tanning beds damages the DNA in skin cells, causing inflammation, making it one of the most common external factors for wrinkles and (especially) premature aging. We’ve all seen people who have overdone it with unprotected sun exposure throughout life and now have the skin texture of an old, worn-out, crumpled-up-in-the-attic leather bag.

Smoking

Smoking causes oxidative stress, damages collagen and elastin, and reduces moisture in the dermis. The consequences show on the skin with dry and discolored patches and an unhealthy-looking greyish appearance. Studies have shown that the more you smoke, the greater the risk for premature facial aging and facial wrinkling, especially in the lips area. The effects of smoking on the skin have been documented in the twin study.

Nutrition

Have you ever heard of the GIGO principle? Stemming from computer science, GIGO is an acronym for “garbage in, garbage out” - meaning garbage input of information can only result in a garbage end product. Food is not just calories or nutrients. It is also information that tells our bodies what to do and how to (re)build. Diet seems to be climbing on the top of the wellbeing ladder ever so faster as we think about the information we give our body daily. A healthy and well-balanced diet significantly affects health and skin appearance. None has the power to stop the aging process itself, the clocks will keep ticking, but we can put some drag on that sucker and choose not to help it advance any further than necessary. 

With the right, nutrient-rich diet, we can delay premature aging. Not getting enough vitamins and minerals can also lead to a decrease in the production of collagen and elastin while not annulling oxidative stress with dietary antioxidants, which contributes to the formation of fine lines, wrinkles, and other signs of aging.

Additionally, diet plays a vital role in fighting the effects of UV radiation – food rich in antioxidants, for example, fruits and vegetables, can help fight free radicals that form with exposure to UV rays, keeping that Shar-Pei look at bay.

Lack of Hydration

Have you ever noticed that growing old is basically drying out? If you’ve found the first signs of aging on your skin, stared for a while, and freaked out a bit (daydreaming of what a crazy old bat you’d like to be) - listen. These might not be age lines but dehydration lines. It’s common to mistake those lines with wrinkles, especially among young people in their 20s.

Not consuming enough water, drinking alcohol, and eating overly salty food (we know, all the fun things, right?)  can dehydrate your body. When the body doesn't get enough water, it pulls moisture from the skin. This can cause the skin to become dry, thin, and less elastic, hence the fine lines. Chill and go drink a glass or two of water.

Free Radicals

Free radicals are unstable, rowdy, trouble-making molecules caused by pollution, UV rays, hyper-processed, nutritionally void food, cigarette smoke… Too many free radicals in our system set off a process called oxidative stress that damages our skin cells, reflecting in fine lines, wrinkles, dull skin, an increase in dark spots, or simply – the signs of aging that serve as an outside warning of the damage free radicals are doing inside the body. The easy way to think about free radical damage would be to (somewhat oversimplified) think of the body as a well-oiled machine with millions of cogs working together smoothly. Free radicals rust a cog here and there, over time rusting the whole mechanism and halting the machine to a grinding stop.

Types of Wrinkles

Expression Lines

Did you know that we use 43 facial muscles when we smile, pout, or cry (this is your party, and you CAN cry if you want to)? Due to repeated contraction of these muscles, we get expression lines, also called dynamic wrinkles (which we believe are a charming statement to your character and a lifetime of memories documented on the face). 

They usually appear in our 20s as our skin produces less collagen and elastin. The way we are expressive with our faces is the most critical factor in the appearance of expression lines. This is why expressionless (minus some diabolical cackling) evil geniuses always look so young and fresh. However, stress, diet, sun exposure, and genetics play a huge role, so don’t start building that deathray just yet.

Smile Lines

Smile lines, also called nasolabial folds, are the creases that appear from the sides of your nose to the corners of your mouth. They usually start showing in your mid-20s but can deepen with age and sun damage.

Forehead Wrinkles

Horizontal forehead wrinkles are the most common type of wrinkles. They result from consistently raising or furrowing the brows, frowning, or squinting. They usually start to appear in our late 20s and early 30s.

Lion's Wrinkles

Known to the public by their artistic name “Angry 11s”, the vertical mid-brow worry lines are called the Lion’s wrinkles. They’re often the first wrinkles to appear on the face, and people tend to notice them, usually in their late 20s. However, they can show even earlier if you frown a lot due to stress, annoyance, or difficulty reading.

Crow's Feet

Only crows need crows’ feet. Also known as their posh name - lateral canthal lines - or laugh lines, crow’s feet are the wrinkles on the outermost corners of your eyes. When we’re younger, they tend to appear when we’re laughing or smiling, but with age (usually in the 40s) and less elasticity in the skin, they’re visible even on a relaxed face.

Barcode Wrinkles

The skin around the mouth is not only one of the thinnest on our body, but it also covers the facial muscles we use a lot (some more than others) when we talk, eat, laugh, and smoke. The sheer amount of muscle use brings about skin wear and tear, resulting in barcode lines—the horizontal lines that usually appear above the upper lip tend to appear around the age of 40. They can occur on anyone but are particularly notable in smokers.

Bunny’s Lines

Bunny’s Lines appear on the bridge of the nose and extend towards the cheeks when wrinkling the nose while laughing, smiling, or squinting. These are kind of cute and sound desirable. If you’re not into this type of “cute” just google an image of a lion roaring and look at their nose. Bunny lines… sure.

Old Age Wrinkles

Nasolabial Folds

These types of wrinkles extend from the bridge of the nose to the corner of the lips due to aging and sagging of the skin.

Mouth Wrinkles

Mouth wrinkles, or perioral wrinkles, are the fine lines around the lips due to sun damage, smoking, or aging.

Neck and Décolleté Wrinkles

Because of sun damage, gravity (as Sheldon Cooper once put it, "Ah gravity, thou art a heartless (rhymes with witch)."), and poor skincare, wrinkles can also appear on the neck and chest.

Chin Wrinkles

Chin wrinkles are the wrinkles that run from the corners of the mouth to the chin. They are usually also caused by sun damage, smoking, or aging.

How to Reduce Wrinkles?

Hydrate

First, get a glass of something (non-sugar-laced) to sip on. We’ll wait. Go on now.

Welcome back.

A well-hydrated skin can fight external attacks more successfully, so drink plenty of water and eat some juicy fruits and veggies each time you get the chance. This will help keep you hydrated, especially during the scorching summer months when it is so easy to get dehydrated, even with minimal strain. As we’ve mentioned, there is a correlation between aging and drying out. Look at the older people in your vicinity. Besides wrinkles, you first notice how dry the skin is. Well-hydrated skin looks (and is) healthier, and the time to prevent the dry and wrinkled skin of the future you is now.

If you’re going to listen to just one advice today, make it this: Invest in a good moisturizer! This helps retain the water naturally present in the epidermis, so be generous with a moisturizer suitable for your skin type daily. We recommend using a dermatologically tested and clinically proven formula (remember, GIGO!).

SUPERCHARGED™ HA+PGA Triple-Action Intense Moisturizer is ideal for those who like it deep. It is clinically proven to increase skin moisture by 40% in just 15 minutes. It is ideal for dehydrated skin showing signs of aging and oxidative stress and will provide long-lasting hydration, improve elasticity, prevent moisture loss, and help strengthen the skin barrier.

For those who feel like they need some high-tech help to deliver intense moisture as deep as possible (and who are kind of impatient),  UFO™ 3 is a deep facial hydration device that directly combats the effects of moisture loss. It increases skin moisture by 126% in mind-boggling 2 minutes and is proven to reduce the appearance of wrinkles in 1 week.

Use Sunscreen

We have been told this all our lives but mostly ignore this advice in the YOLO youth, shaken from ignorance by the first age spot on our faces or hands that just won’t go away. Sunscreen is essential for preventing wrinkles as the sun's rays can mutate and deteriorate DNA. Use your sunscreen, preferably SPF 50, the whole year, not just on hot summer days but on cloudy days as well – studies have shown that 90% of UV rays can pass through clouds, causing sunburns even without that burning sensation we get when we know we’re taunting fate.

Cleanse Your Face Daily

Clogged pores can lead to wrinkles, blackheads, and other skin problems, so wash your face every day with a gentle cleanser to remove dirt and oil. LUNA™ 4 facial cleansing device removes 99% of dirt, oil, and makeup residue from the skin after just one use, making it a perfect addition to your cleansing routine. 

If you’ve been really diligent with your SPF, make sure you remove it before going to bed and reapply to clean skin. LUNA™ Ultra Nourishing Cleansing Balm is a lightweight and waterless balm that melts into a silky oil to gently remove sebum, all kinds of makeup, and even the strongest SPF. It’s ideal for even the most sensitive skin and is a perfect 1st step in dual-cleansing routines. 

Use an anti-aging cream and serum

You cannot fully erase wrinkles using anti-aging creams and serums. Whoever says they can is pulling a Wizzard of Oz on you (pay no attention to the man behind the curtain). You can never look 15 again if you are not 15, but you can fade the appearance of wrinkles. The more consistency in the routine, the better the results. 

If you can help your body repair and lock in moisture overnight, even better. Most of the body and skin repair goes on as we catch some Z’s, so count those sheep and try the powerful yet gentle overnight eye serum, IRIS™ Firming PM Eye Serum to help firm the most fragile skin (besides your unmentionables) on the body - the eye contour. Wake up with a visibly rejuvenated look, reduced wrinkles and fine lines, firmer skin, and improved elasticity.

Take advantage of 21st-century technology

Mirror, mirror on the wall, who's the fairest of them all? - we ask while squeegeeing the middle of the foggy mirror with our hand. No such mirror could be a harsher judge of the self than the self. The original sentence the witch speaks in the fairytale actually goes like this: "Magic mirror on the wall, who's the fairest one of all?" and as we stop believing in fairytales, we understand that there is no magic to help us with aging (or anything else). There are only elbow grease and life habits that will help us stay vital and gorgeous. The crafty species we are, we still make our own magic by developing technologies to turn back the clock as far as the mechanism spring will go, and the best ones go right down to the cellular levels, fixing the damage right at the source.

Even though you can do many different anti-aging treatments in beauty salons – from chemical peels to microdermabrasion and medications – one of the most effective treatments is a microcurrent facial treatment. Luckily, thanks to the lovely people in lab coats, now you can have one in the comfort of your home! BEAR™ 2 microcurrent toning device is clinically proven to significantly improve wrinkles, skin firmness, and elasticity in just 1 week, without any pain, potential complications, or downtime of cosmetic surgery. The only device to feature 4 revolutionary types of microcurrent, BEAR™ 2 is designed to tone the 69 muscles in your face and neck – leaving you with a beautifully contoured and youthfully firm complexion - if you do it. Create a routine and stick to it, pretty please.

Just as with diet or exercise, the best regime for your skin is the one you will actually do consistently, one that fits your lifestyle, and that is not a boring chore, but something you enjoy and that is good for you. 

We hope you’ve found some actionable things you’re willing to do to help your skin fend off the clocks. We urge you to transform these routines into nurturing self-care rituals. Nothing looks as fresh and beautiful as a content person taking care of their mind and body- wrinkles or no wrinkles.
  

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