If you’ve looked at your parents’ and grandparents’ skin and reached the conclusion that you’re doomed to inherit their wrinkles, you could be right, but it’s not a foregone conclusion.
Whether or not you’re going to end up with shriveled skin depends on multiple factors. Here, Dr. Micahel Tachuk, our Internationally recognized Cosmetic surgeon at Viva Wellness Medical Group in San Diego, California, takes a closer look at what causes wrinkled skin and what you can do about it.
The science behind wrinkled skin
Everyone wants healthy, flawless skin, so you may be wondering what you can do to ensure yours stays wrinkle-free or if that’s even possible.
The truth is that all skin wrinkles to some degree as it ages, but that doesn’t mean you’re doomed to severely shriveled skin. Most of the variables that determine the extent of your wrinkles can be categorized into two groups: intrinsic and extrinsic aging.
Intrinsic aging
Intrinsic aging is the kind you can’t do anything about. This occurs with the passage of time, and it affects your skin no matter what you do. As you age intrinsically, your body slows down its production of a few vital components:
- Collagen: you produce 1% less every year after age 20
- Elastin: gives skin its bounce and elasticity
- Glycosaminoglycans: keep your skin hydrated
Without these essential elements, your skin can’t rebound after being stretched, maintain its structural contours, or fend off the effects of gravity.
Still, intrinsic aging alone won’t leave you looking weathered and older than you really are. That involves the other type of aging.
Extrinsic aging
Extrinsic aging is what happens to your skin when you don’t protect it from the environment and certain factors you can control.
The sun is the No. 1 enemy of your skin. If you overexpose your skin throughout your lifetime, the damage caused by ultraviolet rays that penetrate your skin destroy your cells and alter your DNA. These effects accumulate and result in visible skin changes, such as:
- Thinning skin
- Lesions
- Actinic keratosis
- Freckles and sun spots
- Dryness
- Rough texture
- Brown patches
- Wrinkles
Smoking (even secondhand smoke), environmental pollution, harsh weather, stringent skin care products, and frequent friction or rough treatment exacerbate the formation of wrinkles. The wrinkles that stem from these extrinsic factors are much more pronounced than those caused by intrinsic aging — and they’re also largely preventable.
Preventing wrinkles
To avoid the worst of extrinsic aging, Dr. Tachuk urges all patients to wear broad-spectrum sunscreen religiously and stay out of the sun during the hottest part of the day. He can also advise you about the best ways to care for your skin according to your age and skin type.
Nonsurgical treatments for wrinkles
If you’ve already begun to get wrinkles, don’t worry. There are many ways to restore smooth skin texture and eliminate lines. Dr. Tachuk offers several advanced anti-aging treatments that can lift away the layers of skin containing the wrinkles or stimulate new collagen production under the surface. He may recommend any of the following:
- Chemical peels
- Ultherapy®
- Infini RF microneedling
- Botox® and Dysport®
- PDO thread lifts
- PRP facelift
- PRP facial
- Dermal fillers
Each of these treatments addresses different skin issues. During your consultation with Dr. Tachuk, he analyzes your skin, learns about your health history, and listens to your aesthetic goals. Then, he develops a treatment plan customized to meet your needs and desires.
Some of these treatments can even be used to stop wrinkles before they have a chance to develop. To find out which treatment is right for your wrinkles or pre-wrinkles, schedule an appointment with Dr. Tachuk by calling our friendly staff or booking online today.