When it comes to ageing, many of us would rather stay looking our youthful best for longer, and will happily splurge on all manner of expensive, high-end beauty products and treatments in order to do so.
Despite the fact that fine lines and wrinkles are nothing to be ashamed of, that doesn’t mean we should feel guilty for trying to slow their progression or reduce their appearance – we will all eventually succumb to the ageing process – but the good news is that there are a variety of proactive steps we can take to stave off the effects of mother nature a little longer, and some innovative new luxury lotions, potions and supplements on the block that will help you along the way.
Before you jump into a new lifestyle or beauty/grooming routine, it’s important to understand what fine lines and wrinkles are, how they develop, and the options you have for keeping them under control. There are as many ‘anti-wrinkle’ products on the market as there are people to buy them, so taking the time to educate yourself on the facts and studies available will help you to make better and more informed choices that will get you the improved results you desire.
Besides topical treatments or paying top dollar for a professional treatment by a dermatologist, there are also some newer treatments on the block that can be included as daily supplements in your diet. After all, beauty starts from within, so it’s important to pay attention to what you’re putting into your body.
There’s plenty to consider when designing your new regime, so here’s all you need to know about fine lines and wrinkles and how to combat them most effectively – from their origins and causes, to the ingredients to look out for.
What are wrinkles and why do we get them?
In the simplest terms, wrinkles are the visible creases and lines that, over time, can become apparent on the skin – most notably of all, on our faces. They occur for a few reasons, some of which we have no control over, and others that we can do something about. However, even with the most advanced treatments, there’s no doing away with wrinkles and fine lines entirely, since they are a natural part of the ageing process, but we can certainly seek to minimise them and diminish their appearance with the right tools for the job.
The primary environmental culprit of wrinkles and other premature signs of ageing is sun exposure, which over time can break down the collagen in our skin. Think of collagen as the foundation or scaffolding for our skin – it sits under the epidermis and connects all our tissue. As we age and our collagen becomes more damaged, it starts breaking apart. The result is skin that doesn’t have a strong foundation, causing it to sag and become less elastic, ultimately making you look older.
Lifestyle choices like smoking also contribute heavily to wrinkles. Some studies show that wrinkles were twice as pronounced in regular smokers than non-smokers, or even less-frequent smokers.
The one factor out of our control? Our age. Sadly, we’ve not yet discovered the fountain of youth, and we’ll all continue to age whether we like it or not. Collagen production starts dropping off around the age of 30, but we can do things to mitigate its effect.
How to combat wrinkles
The first step (and one that should go without saying this day and age!) is to wear sunscreen all the time. Yes, even when it’s cloudy. Without a suitable level of protection, the UV rays will still penetrate and slowly break down your skin’s connective tissue, so look for a quality daily moisturiser with an SPF of 30 or higher.
Many over-the-counter topical products, such as a collagen complex, can help to reduce the appearance of wrinkles. Several of these products have been clinically proven to help, but you should test them out for yourself to see which agrees the best with your skin as, in this sense, we are all unique.
Retinoids
Retinoids are derived from Vitamin A and are considered the most effective topical product for wrinkles. They work by increasing collagen production and encouraging new cell turnover. Some people may have sensitive reactions to using retinoids, so start slowly with just a couple of applications a week. Slowly increase the frequency for best results. It can also help to use them mainly at night, because they can inhibit the effectiveness of sunscreens.
Alpha hydroxy acids
Alpha hydroxy acids are another popular topical product used to combat fine lines and wrinkles. They produce similar results as retinoids and can be found in varying strengths from low doses available over the counter to stronger ones available only with a chemical peel performed by a licensed dermatologist. These can also cause skin irritation, so read all directions carefully and proceed with caution.
Marine collagen
Most of the products on the market today are topical, but some new technologies allow you to actually ingest collagen that has been derived from animals or fish, and can safely be absorbed into our skin to promote new collagen growth. Marine collagen complexes are some of the most effective as well as being the most environmentally friendly.
What are collagen supplements?
Collagen supplements are the newest foray into combatting fine lines and wrinkles. As opposed to topical treatments, you ingest these supplements as you would a vitamin or protein powder. They are hydrolysed (a fancy way of saying broken down) proteins taken from beef, pork, or a marine collagen. Recent studies have shown that people can safely ingest this protein (essentially, it’s not much different from drinking bone broth or having a steak dinner). It will stimulate collagen production in their skin and help to protect the body’s existing collagen. A quality collagen complex supplement combines the best of all the protein sources into one pill or powder that provides a safe and effective treatment of wrinkles.
There are some great ingestibles out there that are worth investing in. Hey Nutrition offers a powerful collagen complex that delivers a potent dose of hydrolysed marine collagen, combined with five other clinically-studied ingredients, to improve the skin, hair, nails, joints, and more. The product also comes with a 60-day money-back guarantee, as the company is confident that it will deliver the desired results.
Collagen supplements often work best in combination with topical treatments for a two-pronged approach – along with a varied diet that is rich in fruits and vegetables.
The bottom line
Gone are the days when fine lines and wrinkles were something we simply had to accept, and it’s still possible to grow old gracefully as well as doing so a little more slowly. With the right approach, you can maintain your youthful appearance for longer without the need to go under the knife – all it takes is a few simple tweaks to your daily routine, and you’ll be well on the road to success.
