WRINKLE: Causes and Treatment Option

Wrinkles are creases, folds or ridges in the skin. Most commonly, wrinkles appear as we get older. However, they may develop after our skin has been immersed in water for a long time. The first wrinkles to appear on our face tend to occur as a result of facial expressions. Sun damage, smoking, dehydration, some medications, as well as a number of other factors may also cause wrinkles to develop.


Wrinkles are an inevitable part of the natural aging process. As we become older our skin gets thinner, drier and less elastic. Our skin's ability to protect itself from damage is also reduced as we age. Eventually, wrinkles, creases and lines form on our skin. Apart from the factors mentioned above, a person's genetic makeup also influences how wrinkly we become, and when and where wrinkles start appearing.

Sure, some wrinkles are inevitable, but experts say you can reduce the number of fine lines you develop over time by scaling back on these regular habits:

Most wrinkles tend to appear in the parts of the body which receive the most sun exposure, including the:
    1. Backs of hands
    2. Face
    3. Neck
    4. Tops of forearms.

There are two main types of wrinkles:
    1. Surface lines
    2. Deep furrows.

Main Factors that Cause Wrinkles

Apart from the normal aging process, the following factors are known to promote the development of wrinkles:

1.   Smoking: 

Experts say that the link between regular smoking and the accelerated aging of skin is due to a reduced blood supply to the skin.

2.   Light Skin / Exposure to UV (ultraviolet light):

People with light skin tend to experience a higher level of sun damage, which usually accelerates the development of wrinkles.  Also, apart from those mentioned above who have jobs that expose them to more sunlight, people who spend considerable time out in the sun during their leisure hours are more likely to develop wrinkles earlier.
   

 3.   Genetic Factors:

If your parents developed wrinkles earlier than other people, your chances of also doing so are significantly higher than somebody whose parents developed wrinkles later than others.

4.   Hair  

Some hairstyles provide more shade for the face than others.

5.    Clothes / Attires

People who tend to wear hats and long sleeves usually develop wrinkles later in life compared to other people of the same skin type.

6.    Facial expressions 

People who repeatedly smile, frown, or squint will develop fine lines and wrinkles earlier than other who do not do these facial expressions so often. According to the Mayo Clinic, each time we use a facial muscle a groove forms under the surface of the skin. When you are young the skin springs back, but as it gets older and loses its flexibility springing back becomes harder and less frequent, resulting in more permanent grooves.

7.   Drinking Through A Straw

Frequently sipping of drinks through a straw can cause wrinkles to form around your mouth. This occurs When you drink through a straw, you end up pursing your lips.  This repetitive muscle motion breaks down the collagen around your mouth, creating permanent creases in your skin.

8.    Cranking Up The Heat Or Air Conditioner

It makes sense to turn up the heat in your place when it’s cold out, and the air conditioning when it’s hot. Unfortunately, central air can severely dry out your skin, leading to premature aging and wrinkles around your eyes and face.

9. Chewing Gum

Chewing gum requires an excessive amount of muscle activity in the cheeks.  When that muscle activity is done repeatedly, it breaks down your skin’s collagen, causing wrinkles around your lips and cheeks. If you chew gum for fresh breath, try carrying a travel-size bottle of mouthwash in your bag instead and using it as needed.

 
10.  Resting Your Face In Your Hands

Frequently rest your face in your hands? It might be time to stop. Propping your face up in your hands can
create wrinkles in that exact spot. The action actually breaks down the collagen and elastic tissue by the pressure

11.   Sleeping On Your Side

According to research, 41 percent of people sleep in the fetal position, and women are twice as likely as men to snooze in this position. But sleeping on your side can cause wrinkles between the breasts.

12.   Eating Too Much Refined Sugar

Refined sugar isn’t just bad for your health — it’s bad for your skin, too.  Eating too much sugar causes glycation, a process that occurs when your body has excessive amount of sugar. This affects the normal function of your cells as the excess sugar molecules join together with protein molecules to create products that are foreign to your body, also known as advanced glycation end products (AGEs). Theses AGEs affect collagen and elastin, causing them to break down. As a result, wrinkles and lines form on your face. The bottom line: It’s best to skip the refined sugar whenever possible.

Treatment Options for Wrinkles?

Getting rid of wrinkles or taking steps to postpone their development are nearly always optional measures, because wrinkles are not usually considered as medical conditions or diseases - they are not generally life-threatening or harmful to physical health. It is important for the individual to bear this in mind when considering treatment options.

1.   Medications

Topical Retinoids - these are said to help reduce fine wrinkles, some pigmentations and skin roughness. Topical renitoids are derived from vitamin A. As this medication can make the skin more susceptible to burning from sunlight exposure, the patient needs to use it with a skin-care program to protect the skin. Topical retinoids may sometimes cause dryness, itching, a burning sensation, a tingling sensation and redness.

OTC (Over the Counter, no prescription required) wrinkle creams - the effectiveness of OTC wrinkle creams varies considerably, and depends mainly on what its active ingredient is.

Slight to modest results may sometimes be obtained from retinol, alpha hydroxy acids, kinetin, coenzyme Q10, copper peptides and antioxidants. The active ingredient concentration in an OTC wrinkle cream will be significantly lower than a prescription one. In most cases if any results are noticed, they do not usually last long.

2.    Surgery and Other Medical Procedures

Dermabrasion - a surgical procedure involving the controlled wearing away (abrasion) of the upper layers of skin with sandpaper or some other mechanical means. Dermabrasion is used for the removal of fine wrinkles, tattoos, nevi (moles), and scars (such as acne ones). There will be some scabbing, swelling and redness, which generally go away after a couple of weeks. The pinkness may take several months to fade. Desired results are not immediate and may take several months too.

Microdermabrasion - a powerful vacuum is used to spray microcrystals of aluminum oxide across the surface of the skin. The procedure removes the outermost layers of skin cells - part of the stratum corneum - as well as stimulating cell growth in the underlying dermis. Microdermabrasion is said to help give a fresher and smoother appearance to the skin, as well as diminishing the appearance of lines and wrinkles, enlarged pores, coarse skin, and sun damage. The patient may have slight redness in the areas of treated skin. Repeated treatments are required because results are temporary.

Laser, Light Source and Radio-frequency - in wounding (ablative) laser resurfacing, the epidermis (the outer layer of skin) is destroyed by a laser beam, while the dermis (underlying skin) is heated up - this stimulates the development of new collagen fibers. When the wound heals, new smoother and tighter skin is formed. Ablative laser resurfacing can take several months to heal up. Newer therapies using laser technology may result in faster healing times. Non-ablative lasers, radiofrequency devices and pulsed light sources do not damage the epidermis - the dermis is heated, triggering the formation of new collagen and elastin. The skin feels firmer and appears refreshed after several treatments, resulting in faster recovery times; while at the same time more treatments are required and results are subtler.

Botox - (Botulinum Toxin Type A) - Botox blocks the chemical signals that cause muscles to contract. It is injected in small doses into targeted muscles. If the muscles can no longer tighten the skin flattens, giving a less wrinkled and smoother appearance. Botox is effective for lines on the forehead and between the eyes (frown lines), as well as crow's feet (around the corners of the eyes). As treatments generally last about three to four months, repeated injections are required.

Chemical Peel - a chemical solution is applied to wrinkly areas, causing dead skin to slough off and eventually peel off, hence the name. The regenerated skin is generally smoother and less wrinkled than the old skin. Some types of chemical peels can be bought and administered without a medical license. However, patients are advised have a medical health care professional perform the treatment.

Face Lift - also known as a rhytidectomy, this is a type of cosmetic surgery aimed at giving a more youthful appearance. A rhytidectomy usually involves removal of excess facial skin and fat, with or without tightening of underlying tissues. The skin of the patient's face and/or neck is redraped. According to the Mayo Clinic, USA, treatments usually last from 5 to 10 years. Healing times may be lengthy and the patient will experience bruising and swelling for a few weeks after surgery.

Soft Tissue Fillers - these may include collagen, hyaluronic acid, or fat. They are injected into deeper face wrinkles, plumping and smoothing them out, giving the skin more volume. Patients may sometimes experience swelling, redness and bruising in the treated areas for a short period. As with Botox treatment, for lasting results the treatments will need to be repeated every few months.

How good the results are depend on several factors, including where the wrinkles are, as well as their depth. There is no current treatment that can stop the ageing process.

3.    Preventing Wrinkles and Lines

There is nothing we can do to stop the ageing process; eventually everybody will have wrinkles and lines, which become more prominent over time. However, the following steps may help slow the process down:

The Skin and Sunlight - the more the skin is exposed to the sun the faster it will age. Protecting your skin by wearing hats, protective clothing and sun screens will reduce sunlight damage, and consequent developing of wrinkles. Remember that sunlight is a vital source of vitamin D for humans. A growing number of experts today are recommending a healthy balance of some sunlight skin exposure, while at the same time avoiding excess.

Moisturizers - these will not prevent the wrinkling process, but may help temporarily make tiny lines and creases less evident.

Smoking - smoking accelerates the ageing of skin. Even if you have been a long-term heavy smoker, giving up will help slow down the current ageing rate of your skin.

Sleep - although this has not been extensively clinically proven, many experts say that people who get at least 7 hours good quality sleep each day will over the long-term enjoy better physical and mental health, as well as protecting the quality of their skin.

References

https://www.yahoo.com/health/7-ways-youre-giving-yourself-wrinkles-without-113796243147.html

Nordqvist, C. (2009). "What are wrinkles? What causes wrinkles?." Medical News Today. Retrieved from http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/174852.php

Read more

Science-Backed Ways To Stay Young Forever (Or As Long As Possible, Anyway)

We can’t stop aging completely like Blake Lively’s character in “The Age of Adeline,” but we can at least slow it down (to an extent). (Lakeshore Entertainment)

In the recently released trailer for “The Age of Adeline,” actress Blake Lively gets into a magical car accident in the year 1935 and never ages another day. She may look a youthful, radiant 29 years old forever — but it comes at a cost to her relationships and love life. 

While the film is obviously fiction, there are scientifically backed actions you can take to fight aging and stay looking and feeling young. Try these strategies to slow the clock.

1. Consider sunscreen as important as brushing your teeth.

Sun exposure accounts for about 80 percent of visible signs of aging on the face, according to a 2013 study. The same study also found that people in their 40s who spend a lot of time in the sun look about five years older than shade-seekers, as judged by a panel of 30 impartial research volunteers.

The sun’s damaging UVA (ultraviolet A) rays lead to fine lines, wrinkles, brown spots, and dilated pores, explains New-York based dermatologist Whitney Bowe, MD. UVA rays account for about 95 percent of the radiation that hits the Earth’s surface, according to the National Skin Cancer Foundation, which is why wearing sunscreen daily is so important. Even the UVA rays that come in through your car or office window, as well as UVA rays you’re exposed to cumulatively over the years, “can do a lot of damage to the skin and tremendously increase the rate at which you age,” Bowe tells Yahoo Health. 

Applying sunscreen to your face once a day in the morning is sufficient in the winter months and if you work indoors, Bowe says. But whenever you’re outdoors, even in the shade, be sure to cover any exposed skin with SPF 15 or higher sunscreen, and reapply every two hours. Look for a product that says it has broad-spectrum protection, which means it guards against both UVA and UVB rays, Bowe recommends.

The tops of your hands — a hot spot for skin cancer — need extra attention, Bowe adds. Since we wash them regularly, which cleans off the SPF, she suggest applying sunscreen to your hands in the morning and at least once again in the middle of the day. 

Blake Lively on set in Vancouver while filming “The Age of Adeline,” where she portrays a woman who remains 29 forever. (R Chiang/Splash News/Corbis)

2. Think and act young.

Neuropsychologist Mario E. Martinez, PhD, founder of the Biocognitive Science Institute and author of “The Mind-Body Code,” has spent most of his life studying people who thrive in old age. He is fascinated by what separates healthy centenarians from people who don’t age as well, and has researched the topic across numerous cultures and socioeconomic classes worldwide.

What he’s found: For people who look significantly younger than their age, “the main factor that separates them from people who look significantly older is that the people who look younger believe that middle age starts 15 years later.” They also have a certain pattern of beliefs and behaviors, including forgiving easily, using enjoyable rituals to buffer stress, and continuing to learn new skills.

And when it comes to aging well, continuing to do some form of work seems to be preferable to a retirement of idle leisure. In fact, a University of Maryland study discovered that people who work part-time after they retire have fewer chronic diseases and physical limitations. And recent French research shows that people who retire earlier have an increased risk for Alzheimer’s disease.

3. Get enough sleep.

Florence Comite, MD, a leader in the field of personalized medicine, says that adequate sleep is “by far and away the number one thing that trumps everything else” when it comes to healthy aging. “We live in a society where it’s common to burn the candles at both ends, and we think it’s perfectly fine to have five or six hours of sleep and that’s enough,” she tells Yahoo Health. “But sleep is critical for health.” Sleep deprivation is associated with diabetes, heart disease, obesity, high blood pressure, and other conditions.

While we snooze, the immune system activates and the body restores its hormonal balance, Comite explains. “You’re in effect healed from the damages of the day,” she says. 

People who sleep fewer than five or six hours a night also tend to age faster, research shows. In one study, older men who slept five hours per night or less had shorter telomeres (sections of DNA that indicate cellular aging) than men who snoozed for seven or more hours nightly. (Shorter telomeres are associated with accelerated aging.) Another study found that middle-aged women who averaged six or less hours of shut-eye had shorter telomeres than longer sleepers. The changes were the equivalent of being nine years older than their biological age.

4. Brighten your skin with science-backed products.

Free radicals are like tiny little missiles that damage the collagen and elastin that keep your skin firm and smooth, Bowe explains. UV rays, pollution, and cigarette smoke are the main sources of free radical damage to the skin. Antioxidants neutralize free radicals, so Bowe recommends applying a skin serum with antioxidants underneath your sunscreen in the morning and again before bed.

Niacinamide (vitamin B3), kojic acid, and vitamin C are other compounds added to some skin serums and lotions that have been shown to reduce dark spots and even out skin tone. “If you incorporate them into your skin routine over time, they can make your skin look lighter and brighter,” Bowe says.

5. Eat enough …

A number of studies in various animal species have shown that reducing calories to near-starvation levels increases lifespan. In a landmark study in the 1930s, mice fed half the normal amount of calories lived 50 percent longer, says Gil Blander, PhD, a researcher on the biology of aging formerly with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology who is currently the chief science officer of InsideTracker. The findings have inspired some people to try the strategy, following programs such as The Longevity Diet, in an attempt to live longer.

The catch: The approach is far from proven. Research studies on long-term calorie-restricted diets in monkeys have shown wildly conflicting results. A study on normal-weight humans following a calorie-restricted diet for two years, which will assess factors related to longevity, is currently underway. 

6. … But not too much

“The most scientifically proven way to live longer and feel younger is to maintain a healthy body weight,” says weight-loss specialist Charlie Seltzer, MD. “This may seem simple, but no amount of antioxidants or vitamins or a super low-calorie diet will make up for carrying extra weight, especially around your belly.”

People who are overweight in middle age live an average of three fewer years than those at a healthy weight, according to a large study that has been tracking a group of American adults since 1948. And obesity shortens lifespan by a full six to seven years. “The effect of overweight and obesity in adulthood on life expectancy and premature death is striking,” the study authors write.

Obesity is closely related to heart disease and diabetes, which explains part of the decrease in lifespan. But new research is showing that extra fat itself may have destructive effects on the body. For example, a study released in November from Johns Hopkins Medicine discovered evidence of heart muscle damage even among people without heart disease, and even when researchers accounted for risk factors like high blood pressure.

Original Post Found Here: 

https://www.yahoo.com/health/science-backed-ways-to-stay-young-forever-or-as-105392279772.html

Read more