Wrinkles are a completely natural effect of aging. Still, many women feel self-conscious about them—especially when they make you look older than you feel! That might explain why many of us go to great lengths to prevent and treat wrinkles with skincare products and treatments. But as we all know, there is lots of misinformation out there which can make it confusing to know what to believe to achieve youthful skin. In this post, Dr. Suess will identify a few enduring myths and extract the facts from the fiction!
Myth #1: My mother’s face is full of lines so I’m destined to have just as many too.
It’s true that genetics plays a role in how your skin ages. This predetermined aging of your skin is called intrinsic aging. You have no control over this natural decline.
However, getting wrinkles is not entirely dependent on your genes and there are ways to slow down the process of aging skin.
- Wear sunscreen every day—even if it’s cloudy!
- Moisturize and use antioxidant skincare products.
- Keep your skin clean.
- Adapt your skincare routine to match your age, seasons, activities, and weather conditions.
- Consider professional treatments aimed at helping prevent wrinkles.
Bottom line: Despite genetic predisposition to wrinkles, you can delay getting lines if you take care of your skin and prevent damage! (If you’d like to know more, check out our previous blog post on this very subject!)
Myth #2: Once you have wrinkles, there’s nothing you can do about them
Incorrect! It’s never too late to be proactive. You CAN rejuvenate the skin and minimize the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. Using professional skincare products with active ingredients like hyaluronic acid, Retinol, Vitamin C, hydroxy acids and peptides can help minimize the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. And treatments like Botox®, IPL, radiofrequency, fillers, and microneedling can help keep your skin looking smoother and more youthful.
Myth #3: You don’t need to wear sunscreen when it’s cloudy outside.
No. No. And no! Wrinkle-causing UV rays are still present even when you can’t see the sun—and even through an office window! To protect your skin from premature aging, you need to wear your sunscreen with SPF 40+ every single day. If you don’t, you are putting your skin at risk of wrinkles, sunspots, and skin cancer.
Myth #4: Moisturizers prevent wrinkles.
Unfortunately, lathering on your moisturizer won’t stop wrinkles from forming. But don’t throw out your moisturizers yet! They do help active ingredients—retinol, glycolic acid, or Vitamin C, for example—on your skin so they can work more effectively. Moisturizers also helps minimize the look of wrinkles because they form a barrier that traps water in your skin, keeping it hydrated, plump, brighter, and healthier looking. And remember: dry or irritated skin does not heal or regenerate as quickly as beautifully hydrated skin!
Myth #5: You should only get Botox® after you have wrinkles.
Do you know the saying “Prevention is better than a cure”? This applies here. If you wait for lines to become etched into your skin, it will be much more difficult to smooth them out. Using Botox for preventative measures means that you can help train your muscles to avoid repeating certain expressions that contribute to wrinkles and that means fewer deep static lines!
The lines on your face are like a roadmap of your life and the journey you’ve taken. It’s important to embrace the way your skin changes as you age even if you embark on a journey to prevent and treat your wrinkles. Remain realistic and know that while your wrinkles may not completely disappear with products or treatments, there are ways to smooth them out, boost your confidence, and help you feel better in your own skin. And never forget that the best way to feel your best is through eating healthy foods, drinking lots of water, getting lots of sleep, and protecting your skin from the sun!
Learn more about reducing wrinkles! Reach out to us to book a free consultation.