Dentist and Skin Care Blog from Boston's Area Leading Dental Office

There’s a dizzying array of anti-aging products on the market as the beauty industry capitalizes on women’s—and men’s—fears that their fine lines will give away their real age. Wrinkles are a natural part of aging, so you can’t prevent it. But, fortunately, you can delay the process by making a few changes in your daily routine. Skin experts say these non-surgical methods actually work and will keep more wrinkles from forming:

1. Avoid the Sun: Overexposure is the number one reason for premature aging skin. A study on identical twins by a New York surgeon showed that twins with limited sun exposure actually looked younger and had fewer wrinkles than their siblings. Using sunscreen every day and covering up when you step outdoors can help minimize the damaging effects of the sun.
2. Get More Sleep: When your body doesn’t get enough rest, it produces more amounts of the stress hormone cortisol, which causes you to gain weight and breaks down skin cells. In contrast, adequate sleep helps your body produce HGH, a human growth hormone that promotes skin strength and elasticity.
3. Change Sleeping Positions: The American Academy of Dermatology recommends sleeping on your back to avoid potential wrinkles. The AAD cautions that sleeping on your stomach will etch permanent sleep lines on your forehead; while sleeping on your side will increase wrinkles on your cheeks and chin.
4. Stop Squinting and Use Reading Glasses: Repetitive facial motion, like squinting, produces grooves beneath the skin’s surface that eventually becomes wrinkles.
5. Avoid Smoking: Cigarette smoke thins the skin by releasing an enzyme that breaks down collagen and elastin: anti-aging components that promote healthy, smooth skin.
6. Eat the Right Foods: A balanced diet high in essential fatty acids and antioxidant compounds—like salmon, fruits and vegetables—will nourish and improve the skin’s structure to keep it plump and youthful to decrease wrinkles.

In addition to changing your habits, research has suggested that certain ingredients—like vitamins A and C and peptides—found in skincare products offered by Smile and Skin Aesthetics—can reduce wrinkles. To pamper your skin and make it look noticeable younger, try spa treatments like microdermabrasion to exfoliate your skin and diminish fine lines, or a hydrating facial to replenish moisture and firmness. There’s no reason why you shouldn’t look as good as you feel! Call today to schedule a consultation or to inquire about Smile and Skin’s state-of-the-art skincare line.