Wrinkles are furrows, creases, or folds in the skin. They are a byproduct of aging and have a tendency to appear on the parts of the body that receive the most sunlight. Wrinkles are caused by age but that is not the only reason.

Sun

The number one cause of wrinkles is sun exposure. Ultraviolet radiation greatly speeds up the natural aging process. It breaks down the collagen and elastin fibers in the skin which causes wrinkles and sagging skin.

Age

As we age the skin begins to thin, elastin and collagen production slows as do the production of new skin cells. The skin is less able to retain moisture, produces less oil, and heals much more slowly. Skin is more fragile and the fat layers beneath the skin diminish which accentuates lines and wrinkles.

Smoking

Smoking accelerates the natural aging process. It is thought that smoking releases an enzyme that breaks down elastin and collagen. Studies found that smokers had up to 40% thinner skin than non-smokers.

Poor Nutrition

Nutritional deficiencies can cause wrinkles. A balanced healthy diet is essential to prevent premature aging and wrinkles in general. Lack of vitamin E can rapidly cause skin quality to deteriorate.

Repeated Facial Expression

When you use a facial muscle that causes a line on your face a grove forms beneath the skin surface, as age decreases skin’s flexibility lines and wrinkles appear where these grooves have been repeatedly formed. Thus you have laugh lines, frown lines, and increased crow’s feet from squinting.

Gender Women usually have more wrinkles around there mouths than men. Women have fewer sweat glands, glands that produce sebum, an oily substance that lubricates the skin, and fewer blood vessels in this region than men have.

Oils
Cold pressed and cold processed pure castor oil applied regularly prevents and reduces wrinkles. A few drops of lemon juice will enhance the castor oil’s effectiveness. Castor oil is also an anti-oxidant promoting healing and preventing cell damage.
Olive oil is rich in vitamins A and E both of which are anti-oxidants. It naturally stimulates skin cells to help the skin heal and become firmer.
Sage oil slows down aging and prevents wrinkles from developing. To use, mixed two drops of sage oil with two drops of water in your hands, massage into face and neck before going to bed.
Hyssop oil, dilute with water in the same manner as sage oil. This Mediterranean oil helps to contract the facial muscles reducing sagging. Hyssop oil can be applied any time of the day or night.
Frankincense oil has been reducing wrinkles in the skin for centuries. Mix equal parts oil and water in the hands and apply. This oil totally rejuvenates mature skin.
Vitamin E oil can be used to make an anti wrinkle cream that is especially effective for men. Empty 3 vitamin E capsules into a small bowl with 2 tsp yogurt, ½ tsp honey and ½ tsp lemon juice. Apply to face, leave on for 10 minutes, and rinse.
Pure virgin coconut oil aids in healing and repairing the skin, thus reducing wrinkles. It also is beneficial in removing dead skin cells to expose the smoother skin beneath. May also fade age, or liver spots.

Fruits and Vegetables
Carrots can fade wrinkles, they contain many anti-oxidants. Combine carrots and water in a blender to make a lotion, apply with a cotton ball.
Avocados are rich in vitamin E which moisturizes and improves elasticity. Puree avocado to make a mask, leave on for 10 minutes and rinse. Add a dash of lemon juice for extra benefits from anti-oxidants.
Papaya made into a mask can reduce wrinkles. Mix 2 tbs. Papaya with 1 tbs dry oatmeal apply and leave on the face for 10 minutes. Rinse with a flannel cloth.
Pineapple juice and apple juice left on the face for 10 minutes is excellent for fine wrinkles and cracked skin. Also for fine lines rub the pineapple core on the face leaving for the juice on for 10 minutes before rinsing.

Water

Drink 4 to 6 liters of water per day depending on weight and perspiration.  Water keeps the skin hydrated and helps to carry needed nutrients to the skin.  Decrease the amount of soda and caffeinated drinks.  Dehydrated skin is less plump exaggerating  every tiny line and wrinkle.

Orange Seafood  

Orange seafood such as salmon and lobster reduce wrinkles and promote overall healthy skin.  They are rich in protein and omega-3 fatty acids, which keep the skin plump, and astaxanthin, an anti-oxidant that helps the skin to repair itself.

Soy

Research has shown that soy may help not only to prevent sun damage but heal sun damage as well.  In a recent study skin became firmer and smoother in six months.

Sugar

Consuming refined sugar causes collagen to harden weighing the skin down and making it sag.  Decrease refined sugar intake and add cinnamon to foods and drinks that have refined sugar in them.  Cinnamon helps to reduce the effects of refined sugar.

Chocolate

Chocolate contains flavonols which makes skin look smoother.  Recent research suggest that the flavonols in dark chocolate may help to protect from sun damage.

Fruits and Vegetables

Fruits and vegetables are rich in anti-oxidants which fight damage caused by free radicals helping the skin to be healthy and younger-looking.  Spinach, cabbage, asparagus, and kale contain lutein which improves skin’s elasticity.  Red produce such as tomatoes, beets and red peppers along with citrus fruits increases collagen production.  The food that has the most anti-oxidants is prunes, blueberries are at number two.

Vitamin and Mineral Rich Foods

Niacin reduces dark spots and increases collagen production.  Foods rich in niacin are lean meats, fish, eggs, dairy, and poultry.

Vitamin C helps skin to retain elasticity, increases collagen production, and aids in skin healing.  Foods rich in vitamin C are citrus fruits, kiwi, peppers, cantaloupe, broccoli, and tomatoes.

Copper aids the skins ability to produce collagen, copper rich foods are mushrooms, oysters, crab, mussels, avocado, filberts,and cashews.

A Face-lift removes excess skin and fat from the face and neck, tightening connective tissues and muscles.  Last for 5 to 10 years.  Bruising and swelling may still be evident after surgery for several weeks.

Dermabrasion is a sanding down of the outside layer of the skin with a rotating brush.  Swelling and abrasions last for a couple of weeks, pinkness may last for several months.

Microdermabrasion removes less of the surface skin than dermabrasion.  It sandblasts the skin with aluminum crystals.  Slight redness to the face for a day or so.  Usually requires several maintenance treatments, effects are subtle.

Laser resurfacing destroys the skins outer layer, stimulating growth of new collagen.  Several months of healing time may be required, new skin is noticeably tighter and smoother.  New laser treatments have been developed which cause less injury and have a shorter recovery time however the results are more subtle.

Botulinum toxin type A (Botox) is injected into specific muscles of the face.  Botox prevents the muscles from contracting.  Very effective on lines between brows and across the forehead.  Last 3 to 6 months.  Minor redness or swelling at the injection site usually lasting only a few hours.

Soft tissue fillers are injected into deep wrinkles of the face.  The filler may be fat, possibly from your own body, collagen, or hyaluronic acid.  Temporary redness or bruising.  Last for several months.

Chemical peel is an acid applied to the face which burns off the outer layer of the skin.  Depending on what type the peel is will determine it’s effects.  Medium peels remove part of the dermis and all of the epidermis.  Redness can lasts for several weeks.  The newly formed skin is smoother and with less wrinkles.  Superficial peels remove part of the epidermis, after several peels fine lines and wrinkles as well as brown spots are faded.

Beauty Products sold over the counter are not regulated by the FDA as to their efficacy. Look for products containing retinol, alpha hydroxy acids, kinetin, coenzyme Q10, copper peptides and antioxidants.  Expect only mild results with these creams.  Your doctor can prescribe creams with these same ingredients that are much more concentrated.