What are Skin Wrinkles?
Wrinkles are one of the most natural and obvious progressions of aging. While most of us would like to deter the changes occurring in our skin, unfortunately we cannot simply wish away the rate of aging. Wrinkles and creases that appear around the eye area or on the cheek bones or forehead prematurely are often due to environmental influences. Ironing out these wrinkles can be avoided at an earlier age with the correct skin regimen, a healthy diet, eliminating smoking and excessive exposure to the sun.
What Causes Skin Wrinkles?
Wrinkles develop as a result of the gradual wearing away of the epidermis (the outermost layer of skin) which is made up of dead tissue. When the cells in the deepest most part of the epidermis known as the dermis dies and becomes smaller, the skin loses its elasticity and resilience. As the tissue in the dermis shrinks, wrinkles are caused in the epidermis.
Other factors that may contribute to the development of wrinkles
Other factors may also contribute to the development of wrinkles and these include:
- Excessive sun exposure
- Poor diet
- Smoking
- A lack of vitamins and minerals
- Excessive intake of alcohol
- Scrubbing the skin with harsh substances
- Sleeping on your side or stomach
- Frowning and squinting
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Diagnosing Skin Wrinkles
If you notice any abnormal changes to your skin that accompanies your wrinkles, it would be best to consult a health practitioner or a dermatologist. For instance, if your skin is excessively wrinkled at an early age, any spots or pigmentation occurs, skin lesions appear or a spot becomes painful or bleeds, certain tests may need to be performed. These tests include a detailed examination and skin biopsy.
Help for Skin Wrinkles
Although wrinkles are a natural part of the aging process, there are various treatment options to reduce the appearance of skin wrinkles. Several anti-wrinkle creams and lotions containing alpha-hydroxy acids are available over-the-counter to smooth lines or wrinkles and increase the volume of tissue cells – these creams are not a miracle cure and cannot remove wrinkles!
Chemical peels and laser resurfacing are techniques used to remove dead cells from the surface layer of the skin thereby stimulating the regenerative process. Botulinum toxin (Botox) injections may also help to reduce the appearance of wrinkles temporarily. More recently, people are choosing plastic surgery to eliminate wrinkles.
Natural remedies
Herbs have been used for centuries to support and maintain skin health by retaining moisture and elasticity as well as alleviating wrinkles. Two well known herbs such as Galium aperine (Cleavers) and Trifolium pratense (red clover) have a wide range of therapeutic benefits that act as a cleansing tonic, blood purifier and lymphatic cleanser. Homeopathic ingredients such as Natrium muriaticum, Kalium muriaticum and Kalium sulphate help to maintain skin health and support the regenerative processes of the skin.
