There’s one thing you need to know before we get into the crux of this article.

You aren’t going to stay wrinkle-free forever!

Sorry to disappoint you, but it’s true. As we get older, our skin gets thinner and becomes less elastic as our collagen levels drop. At some point in our lives, we will start to notice wrinkles and other fine lines on our face, neck, and elsewhere around our body. It’s an inevitability we all have to become accustomed too.

For all we know, you may have signs of wrinkling already, even though you may be well below retirement age. You don’t have to put up with them, of course. There are all kinds of treatments available to us these days, so you can still keep your youthful exterior for as long as possible. A good retinoid cream will gradually make your wrinkles disappear, as soon after four weeks of use in some cases, and can also prevent them from appearing in the first place. You might also seek professional assistance, as treatments such as laser resurfacing and microneedling are both effective ways to treat wrinkles. Check out these microneedling results for more on the latter. You might even consider plastic surgery, although this can be expensive. So, if you have been afraid to look in the mirror because wrinkles have crept their way on and around your face, don’t despair.

However, prevention is always the best medicine, or so the saying goes. There are steps you can take to stop them forming in the first place, or if you have started to wrinkle, to reduce or remove the number of lines that have started to form around your face.

#1: Try to avoid stress

This isn’t easy, we know, as we are confronted with stressful situations on a near-daily basis. And this can be a problem, because the facial expressions we pull, from furrowed brows to pursed lips, can increase the number of lines that gradually form across our face. Still, as discussed in one of our previous articles, there are ways to conquer stress, so the stress you feel doesn’t have to take its toll on your life, be it within your physical and mental health, or for the purposes of this article, on your skin. Read what we had to say, and then look for ways to manage the stressful situations that invade your life.

#2: Stay out of the sun

Unfortunately, especially for those of you who love nothing more than a day out at the beach, the sun is one of the leading causes of wrinkles on the face. This is because of the powerful UV rays from the sun that can weaken the elasticity of your skin. Of course, you can’t avoid the sun forever, but whenever you get a chance to stay in a shaded area when you’re out and about, then do so. But if you do insist on basking in the sun, be that at the beach or in your very own back garden, ensure you wear the right factor sunscreen for your skin type. You should also cover up as much of your body as you are able for added protection, opting for lighter clothing, so you don’t melt in the sweltering heat of the sun.

#3: Eat a proper diet

What you put into your body is as important to what you do on the outside of it, so as well as your sunscreen and other protective lotions, make sure you eat the right foods. Science tells us that those foods rich in antioxidants, saturated fats, and Omega 3 are necessary for fighting skin damage, so as examples, ensure you add some of these foods into your diet. Then place limits on those foods that damage your skin’s collagen, such as anything high in sugar and processed carbohydrates. As examples, you might want to cut down on doughnuts, french fries, and fatty meats. Not only will your skin improve when you start chowing down on anything that incorporates a healthier diet, but the rest of your health will improve too.

#4: Don’t forget to get your beauty sleep

Sleep experts suggest between 7-9 hours of sleep is the optimum amount for adults, so be sure to cut down on your late night partying and Netflix binge-watches. As you sleep, your skin cells have time to repair themselves, so you should wake up with a refreshed and radiant complexion. However, be careful about how you sleep. If your face is comfortably immersed in your pillow during the night, you will wake up with pillow lines. Inevitably, over time, these can become permanent wrinkles on your face. To solve the issue, lie on your back or with your face to your hands or the edge of your pillow, or invest in an anti-wrinkle pillow to prevent any long-term damage to your skin.

#5: Perform facial exercises

Many of us exercise to tone up the muscles around our body, but we often neglect our facial muscles. However, it is possible to prevent wrinkles by stimulating elastin and collagen through facial exercises, so as part of your daily fitness routine, consider giving your face a workout too! Check out these 10-minute facial exercises as examples. Not only is this a good way to prevent wrinkles, but according to the linked article, the writer also noticed some of the lines already present around her face disappeared.

#6: Cut out your bad habits

We have already suggested you cut down on those unhealthy foods that can cause wrinkles, but there are other bad habits that can affect your skin too. Smoking and cigarettes are two of the biggest offenders, as they can dehydrate your skin, and hurry along the onset of wrinkles, no matter how old you are. And even your actions during your beauty regime can wrinkle your skin, such as pulling your skin around your eyes when you’re applying or removing eye makeup, and scrubbing your face aggressively when washing or bathing. Be mindful then, and if you know you are guilty of those bad habits we mentioned, make an effort to stop them for the long-term benefit of your skin.

Finally

There will be a day when you look in the mirror and sigh at the number of wrinkles that have formed around your face. But that day doesn’t have to be today or tomorrow, as you can take steps to care for your skin. Follow our suggestions then, and watch as your face retains its youthful complexion for many more years to come.