The Truth About Wrinkles
This one's for my good friend, Carrin, but I'm willing to bet that the majority of women have contemplated this about wrinkles: what works, how can I get rid of them, how can I prevent them? Am I right? :)
Think of wrinkles like scars. If you repeatedly make a certain expression, ridges or creases appear in the skin, and they don't go away easily, if ever. Similar to stretch marks. However, there are things we can do to lessen the appearance of wrinkles.
One of the most active treatments we know about today for the treatment of wrinkles is still Retin-A. The problem with getting this product for cosmetic reasons is that insurance won't cover it. In fact, even if you have legitimate adult acne and are over the age of 35 those insurance companies will find a way to make it difficult for you to get coverage. Side note: It's best to not use this product if you're pregnant. Sometimes, you'll be requested to take a pregnancy test before a prescription is given (I know this from experience).
Botox is a popular way to soften the appearance of wrinkles by paralyzing the muscles in the face. The only problem with botox is what we don't know, yet. If you use it for 10 years will the muscles forget how to work? I don't know, do you? Also, because of its toxicity, we don't know how it affects our body in terms of longevity.
Exfoliating is one of the easiest and best ways to care for the skin, and soften the appearance of wrinkles, too. It keeps your skin free of dead skin cells that can cause build up and break outs, and doing it regularly can decrease the size of pores and make the skin taut. There are multiple ways you can successfully exfoliate, both chemically, and mechanically (i.e. microdermabrasion). A couple of my favorite products are EXFOLIANT, by AVEDA, and CITRUS EXFOLIATING WASH by EMINENCE.
The other thing to keep in mind is that if you discontinue your anti-wrinkle routine or use of these products, your results will also stop. They are (mostly) temporary.
Another way to keep wrinkles at bay is to keep the skin hydrated. Rose water (for dry skin) or lavender water (for normal/oily skin) is a great way to keep the skin hydrated throughout the day, along with drinking plenty of water! You can find a lot of these natural mists at your local health stores (i.e., Sunflower, Sprouts, Wholefoods, Central Market). One of my favorite products from Aveda is their toning mist from the Botanical Kinetics line. When skin is dehydrated or dry (2 diff things) then the skin can get cracked and cause wrinkles.
The number one way to avoid wrinkles is to protect the skin. UVA rays are the aging ones, btw. The easiest way to protect the skin is to wear sun block when you know you'll be exposed for longer periods of time outside, especially. Make sure it protects from UVA and UVB rays. Nowadays, there are mineral powders with SPF in them, so ladies, you have no excuse!
We lose estrogen (hormone related) and collagen as we get older. Collagen is particularly important because helps to maintain the water balance in the skin.
The good news is, by taking care of the skin and getting facials when possible, you can help increase your body's own collagen, and that's what we want to do. We want to stimulate our own ability to create it naturally! In addition, a good esthetician can use massage and detox techniques to decrease any swelling in the face, help with sinuses, detox the skin, and help relieve congestion (avoiding breakouts).
There are so many procedures out there that claim to help us get rid of those unwanted stinker-wrinkles, (& I'll write about more of those later!) & some may really help. BUT -- The truth about wrinkles is that unless you plan on never smiling, or have perfect genes and skin, and never expose yourself to sun (or tanning beds) you'll probably have them at some point!
It's never too late to start caring about your skin. Whether you're 20, 35, or 60... get to it!
Take care of your largest organ, guys - 'cause you can't hide when you don't, it SHOWS! :)
Love, J
Think of wrinkles like scars. If you repeatedly make a certain expression, ridges or creases appear in the skin, and they don't go away easily, if ever. Similar to stretch marks. However, there are things we can do to lessen the appearance of wrinkles.
One of the most active treatments we know about today for the treatment of wrinkles is still Retin-A. The problem with getting this product for cosmetic reasons is that insurance won't cover it. In fact, even if you have legitimate adult acne and are over the age of 35 those insurance companies will find a way to make it difficult for you to get coverage. Side note: It's best to not use this product if you're pregnant. Sometimes, you'll be requested to take a pregnancy test before a prescription is given (I know this from experience).
Botox is a popular way to soften the appearance of wrinkles by paralyzing the muscles in the face. The only problem with botox is what we don't know, yet. If you use it for 10 years will the muscles forget how to work? I don't know, do you? Also, because of its toxicity, we don't know how it affects our body in terms of longevity.
Exfoliating is one of the easiest and best ways to care for the skin, and soften the appearance of wrinkles, too. It keeps your skin free of dead skin cells that can cause build up and break outs, and doing it regularly can decrease the size of pores and make the skin taut. There are multiple ways you can successfully exfoliate, both chemically, and mechanically (i.e. microdermabrasion). A couple of my favorite products are EXFOLIANT, by AVEDA, and CITRUS EXFOLIATING WASH by EMINENCE.
The other thing to keep in mind is that if you discontinue your anti-wrinkle routine or use of these products, your results will also stop. They are (mostly) temporary.
Another way to keep wrinkles at bay is to keep the skin hydrated. Rose water (for dry skin) or lavender water (for normal/oily skin) is a great way to keep the skin hydrated throughout the day, along with drinking plenty of water! You can find a lot of these natural mists at your local health stores (i.e., Sunflower, Sprouts, Wholefoods, Central Market). One of my favorite products from Aveda is their toning mist from the Botanical Kinetics line. When skin is dehydrated or dry (2 diff things) then the skin can get cracked and cause wrinkles.
The number one way to avoid wrinkles is to protect the skin. UVA rays are the aging ones, btw. The easiest way to protect the skin is to wear sun block when you know you'll be exposed for longer periods of time outside, especially. Make sure it protects from UVA and UVB rays. Nowadays, there are mineral powders with SPF in them, so ladies, you have no excuse!
We lose estrogen (hormone related) and collagen as we get older. Collagen is particularly important because helps to maintain the water balance in the skin.
The good news is, by taking care of the skin and getting facials when possible, you can help increase your body's own collagen, and that's what we want to do. We want to stimulate our own ability to create it naturally! In addition, a good esthetician can use massage and detox techniques to decrease any swelling in the face, help with sinuses, detox the skin, and help relieve congestion (avoiding breakouts).
There are so many procedures out there that claim to help us get rid of those unwanted stinker-wrinkles, (& I'll write about more of those later!) & some may really help. BUT -- The truth about wrinkles is that unless you plan on never smiling, or have perfect genes and skin, and never expose yourself to sun (or tanning beds) you'll probably have them at some point!
It's never too late to start caring about your skin. Whether you're 20, 35, or 60... get to it!
Take care of your largest organ, guys - 'cause you can't hide when you don't, it SHOWS! :)
Love, J
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