A significant portion of the beauty industry is dedicated to eliminating the signs of aging. Every woman is searching for that magical potion that will erase all of her wrinkles and make her skin as firm and smooth as it was when she was a teenager. While there is no way to completely erase all of the fine lines from a woman’s face, there are several products and healthy habits that can keep one looking younger longer.
The best way to maintain a smooth complexion is to avoid getting wrinkles in the first place. According to beauty experts at Cherie, Sun exposure is the leading cause of visible aging. Harmful sun rays penetrate deep below the surface of the skin and cause the collagen to disintegrate. Collagen is the flexible substance that gives the skin its youthful elasticity. It pulls the skin upward, keeping the jawline smooth and giving the cheeks the plump appearance that is associated with youth. Sunlight also causes permanent discoloration. Every sunburn contributes to noticeable skin damage, and changes can be observed after just one bad burn.
Tanning beds are advertised as healthy alternatives to natural tanning, but they have been proven to be just as harmful as sunlight, if not more so. The lights used in tanning beds are concentrated to yield fast results. They make skin darker than it can easily become on its own, which breaks down collagen and gives the skin a thick, leathery texture. Being tan is a status symbol, so it is difficult to avoid the social pressure to visit tanning salons.
Staying away from beaches and salons is not enough. Women should be wearing sunscreen every day. This is easy for most women; many popular moisturizers already contain sunscreen and nearly every skincare brand manufactures at least one product with a rating of SPF 15 or higher. Wearing moisturizer is vital for women who do not yet have a lot of wrinkles. Wrinkle creams are only effective on wrinkles that have already developed. They do not have preventative properties. Keeping skin nourished and supple keeps it looking young for as long as possible, until it is time to make the switch to a wrinkle cream.
Wrinkle creams contain retinols, which melt away the top layers of skin, forcing fresh skin to the surface. Retinols are incredibly effective, but they can also be harsh. In the absence of the protective top layers, the skin is even more susceptible to sun damage.
The judicious use of anti-wrinkle injections is a good alternative to surgical facelifts. Practitioners eliminate wrinkles without affecting the structural integrity of the face or skin, giving their patients realistic-looking results. These injections are most effective when a woman starts a regimen when the wrinkles are just starting to form. No one will ever suspect that she has gotten the injections if the wrinkles never get a chance to become noticeable.
There are no shortcuts when it comes to looking younger. Great skin is a result of a lifetime of good choices and diligent care.
