Wrinkle Continued
Smoking has been shown to be another cause of premature wrinkling as it retards the creation of new collagen in the dermis. Skin, in all of its component layers, is constantly being regenerated but when the production of new collagen is impeded by the effects of smoke, the net result is a reduction in skin suppleness that turns into wrinkles.
The contraction of facial muscles--especially around the eyes and the mouth as a result of things like frowning, smiling and squinting--can also make natural lines on the face much more pronounced over time, creating wrinkles (crow's feet, laugh lines, etc.).
Treatments
Some basic preventative measures against excessive wrinkles include a regimen of gentle cleansing and moisturizing. Keeping hydrated by drinking plenty of water is another way to keep the skin moist and healthy. Avoiding excessive exposure to the sun and using a good sunscreen when you are out in the sun is also a good measure. And, of course, it helps to be a non-smoker and to avoid places where you might be exposed to too much smoke.
There are also wrinkle removing creams, lotions and ointments, along with topical herbal and vitamin treatments, that work towards removing and counteracting wrinkles.
Removal of outer skin levels to expose healthier skin is an option that can be pursued through derma abrasion (literally scraping off the outermost layer of skin cells) or chemical peels (which dissolve those outermost layers).
Lasers can be utilized to remove wrinkles as can injections of substances such as sterilized bovine collagen or Botox.
Wrinkles can also be removed by making the skin tauter with plastic surgery (facelifts, tummy tucks and the like).
By Michael Willis
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