Exposure to the sun

If you’re wondering what causes skin damage and fine lines, the first answer any expert is liable to give you is the sun. While we can’t help but feel more cheerful when the sun is shining, it’s a sad fact that exposure to UV rays is responsible for the vast majority of our skin’s wrinkles, fine lines, and other defects. That’s because these powerful rays penetrate the skin’s various layers and cause them to age rapidly – a process which can even take place indoors, as the rays can penetrate through the windows of your home.

Too much sunlight can also lead to a decrease in collagen levels in the skin, which affects its elasticity and causes wrinkles to appear. Exposure to the sun can lead to other kinds of skin damage as well, including hyper-pigmentation. As a result, it’s strongly recommended that you protect your skin with a high-factor SPF and wear a hat and other items of clothing that will shield your skin from the sun.

Also Read: Which Treatment Is Best For Sun Damaged Skin?

Dehydration

Not drinking enough water is a problem that lies behind many common health complaints, including wrinkles. This is because water is essential for the production of skin cells, and for keeping those cells healthy, plump, and full. It stands to reason that, if you don’t drink enough water, your skin will become dry, lose its elasticity, and begin to form wrinkles.

Dehydrated skin is also more likely to fall prey to various complaints, such as acne, so it’s vital that you drink plenty of fluids on a daily basis to maintain a firmer, smoother, younger-looking complexion and healthy skin.

Smoking and drinking

Smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol too frequently can begin to wreak havoc on your skin after a while, as it struggles to cope with the toxins you are ingesting. Alcohol causes your body to dehydrate, which, as we already know, causes your skin cells to lose their healthy plumpness and elasticity.

Meanwhile, smoking cigarettes constricts the blood vessels in your skin, which prevents them from absorbing vital nutrients and oxygen, which, over time, causes the skin to become dry, damaged, and sagging. If you have a long-standing smoking habit, you can even end up with stained cuticles and fingers, as well as deep grooves in the skin around your mouth from puckering your lips as you inhale the nicotine.

Ageing

Nothing can prevent the onset of aging and the various physical issues it causes, which includes thinner, frailer, more wrinkled skin, that is more susceptible to damage. This is because, as you age, your skin stops producing as many oils, so the cells are no longer as lubricated and begin to dry out. In addition, the fat that makes up part of the deeper layers of your skin begins to recede, leading to sagging and more obvious lines.

Frowning and squinting

If your mother ever told you not to frown or grimace in case the wind changes, what she probably should have added is that excessive frowning or squinting – or even smiling – can lead to the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. These creases are caused by the repetitive muscle movements of your facial expressions which, over the years, create a groove beneath the skin that gradually becomes permanent.

Eat plenty of fresh fruit and veg

While cosmetic treatments such as Botox and chemical peels can artificially erase the appearance of wrinkles temporarily, eating a healthy diet with plenty of vitamins is essential – not just for your skin, but for your general wellbeing. Eating fresh vegetables, fruit, protein, nuts, legumes, and oily fish will slowly but surely transform your skin from the inside out, and help you feel your best from top to toe.

Creams and lotions

There are plenty of anti-wrinkle creams on the market, as well as various lotions targeted at skin complaints such as acne or rosacea. Find the one that works for you and suits your skin the best. Testing out different products is a good idea, but don’t necessarily look for the most expensive on the market – there are a number of excellent skincare products that don’t come with a hefty price tag. In particular, look out for products that contain Vitamin C, antioxidants, and an SPF to guard against sun damage.

LED therapy

If you’re keen to find some non-invasive treatments that can help reduce the appearance of wrinkles, and also help with other skin complaints such as acne and pigmentation problems, why not try LED therapy? It involves lying beneath a light canopy for around 20 minutes. Just one relaxing session can bring about an improvement in your complexion.