What causes wrinkles and how can I prevent it from happening?

According to the National Institute on Aging, your skin really does change with age. Wrinkles are a fact of life. This may sound more than obvious to most of us, but it illustrates that there really are biological processes happening beneath the surface.

All the scientific research and studies that have been conducted about the subject of treating wrinkles are focused around changing a few key components of the skin.

As your skin ages, it becomes thinner and looses fat, so it looks less plump and smooth. Underlying structures — veins and bones in particular — become more prominent. Your skin can take longer to heal when injured.

Over time, the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) light damages the fibers in the skin called elastin. The breakdown of these fibers causes the skin to lose its ability to snap back after stretching. As a result, wrinkles form. Gravity also is at work, pulling at the skin and causing it to sag, most noticeably on the face, neck, and upper arms.(1)

Smoking is also a very large player on the team of wrinkle causes. Smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and decreases the amount of vitamins in the skin, such as vitamin A. These factors increase damage to elastic fibers and collagen in the skin from sun exposure. It's also possible that repeated exposure to the heat from a burning cigarette may also damage facial skin over time.

These skin changes can be seen in young adults with only a 10-year smoking history. Smoking actually makes your skin more vulnerable to sun-damage.

There are also some studies that suggest that the kinds of food you eat have a connection to the number of wrinkles you have.

The intriguing findings come from a study by researchers at Monash University in Melbourne, Australia. They found less wrinkling among people who:

• Ate lots of vegetables, monounsaturated fat such as olive oil, and legumes such as peas or beans.
• Cut back on whole-milk products, butter, margarine and sugar.(2)

The diet food connection should not be relied on to heavily, as there has only been one study conducted and UV ray exposure is the main factor to how many wrinkles a person will have.

So, while there may be many factors that determine how badly a person will wrinkle as they get older, it really all comes down to the basics. Genetics, smoking and sun exposure, particularly during early childhood and adolescence. Studies have shown that as much as 80% of sun exposure occurs below the age of 20.

The key components of treating wrinkles

All of these factors come into play when research is conducted on treating wrinkles.

The most effective products available to treat wrinkles will treat the highest number of causes of wrinkles. When considering a wrinkle treatment, you should always keep in mind what your skin really needs.

Increase the plumpness and smoothness of your facial skin. Repair damaged elastin caused by exposure to ultraviolet sun rays. Stop smoking. Increase blood flow to the facial skin. Increase the amount of vitamins in the skin, especially vitamin A. Eat lots of vegetables, monounsaturated fat such as olive oil, and legumes such as peas or beans. Wear sunscreen.

Take these steps and use products that give these results, and you are providing your face the best chance of returning to that smooth wrinkle-free glow you thought you'd always have.

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(1) National Institutes of Health; National Institutes of Aging
(2) 2003; Northwestern Memorial Hospital