What to Do When You Start Seeing Wrinkles

While wrinkles are more common and visible in older people, they can also appear at a younger age. There are instances where creases and lines can pop up at your 20s and 30s, which will continue to become more prominent as you grow older. This can be a bit frustrating, as the early appearance of wrinkles can add age to your appearance.

If you start seeing lines or wrinkles sooner than you expect, arming yourself with the right information can help you learn why this is happening and what you can do to keep them from worsening. 

Aging and decreased collagen

Collagen production starts to decline during the mid-20s to early 30s. The skin, furthermore, produces less than 1% of collagen each year, which then causes it to become thinner and less elastic as we age. Fine lines and creases may appear due to less collagen, as well as other factors, such as:

• Genetics
• Sun exposure
• How you care for your skin
• Repetitive facial expressions
• Your lifestyle or habits

Areas where wrinkles first show up

Tiny lines and creases usually appear in areas with thin and delicate skin. Those that commonly move due to repeated facial expressions are susceptible to developing wrinkles. These include the eyes, forehead, and mouth. The skin around your eyes is particularly susceptible, as it is thinner than the rest of your face.  

Take advantage of anti-aging serums

If you’re looking to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles or brighten dark spots, make serums a part of your daily skin care routine. The right serum for you will depend on your specific skin concerns. At Cutis Medical Laser Clinics, we have two serums from Dr. Sylvia Skin Care line that can help fight signs of aging.

• Vitamin C 20% with Ferulic Acid – This serum helps fight free radical and oxidative stress. It also provides skin lightening and hydration benefits, as well as reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
• Fibroblast Growth Factor Serum – This formula targets age-related degradation and reactivates collagen and dermal activity. It also prevents skin damage and helps improve skin density, texture, and firmness.

Prioritize SPF protection

Whether or not you have fine lines and wrinkles, it is important to wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen daily. This is because prolonged and unprotected sun exposure is the most common cause of premature wrinkling and skin damage. So, always make it a point to apply sunscreen (at least SPF 30) daily, even on cloudy days. 

Don’t forget your sunglasses

Squinting is a repetitive motion that can speed up the breakdown of collagen and cause fine lines. This is one of the reasons why the area is prone to wrinkle formation (particularly crow’s feet). While you may not see fine lines around your eye, they can appear sooner than later if you don’t take care of your eyes.

Always remove your makeup

The dirt, makeup, and pollutants that sit on your skin can cause oxidative damage and break down your skin’s collagen and elastin. This can accelerate the aging process and contribute to the formation of fine lines and wrinkles. Sleeping with your makeup on can lead to other problems like breakouts or aggravated acne.   

If you already have lines and wrinkles

If visible or prominent lines and wrinkles bother you, don’t hesitate to consider Botulinum toxin or Botox. This FDA-approved anti-wrinkle treatment is safe and effective for improving the appearance of frown lines and forehead wrinkles. You can also turn to Botox for treating crow’s feet and lipstick lines or smoker’s lines.

Botox reduces wrinkles by temporarily blocking the signal from a nerve to a muscle. This paralyzes the muscles, creating a softening and relaxing effect. It can take about two weeks to see the full results of Botox, which may last between 3 and 6 months or longer with touch-up treatments. 

Add more collagen to your skin

The natural production of collagen drops as we age, contributing to sagging skin and wrinkle formation. This only makes it important to boost our collagen levels through healthy diet or aesthetic treatments. At Cutis Medical Laser Clinics, we have two treatments worth considering for improving your collagen levels.

Ultherapy® – This non-invasive face lifting procedure uses ultrasound energy to tighten the skin on the face, neck, and chest. The delivery of ultrasound energy triggers a natural response under the skin, jumpstarting the process of collagen production. Ultherapy can also be used to treat laxity, lines, and wrinkles, as well as tighten neck and jawline.

RADIESSE® – This injectable filler, made of Calcium Hydroxylapatite (CaHA) microspheres, is used for plumping the skin and restoring loss volume. Radiesse is also a “bio-stimulator” that stimulates the body to produce more collagen over time. It can be used to contour facial shape and smooth moderate to severe facial wrinkles.

You can also combine both treatments for improved results. Both can make you look younger by stimulating collagen production and improving your facial profile. 

Want to address fine lines, wrinkles, and other signs of aging? Contact Cutis Medical Laser Clinics in Singapore today and schedule a consultation with our Harvard-trained aesthetic doctor, Dr. Sylvia Ramirez, to find out which treatment suits you best.