Aging is a constant, inexorable process, and the appearance of wrinkles on faces and skins is just one of its (side) effects. Having said that, wrinkles on faces and skins are caused by other factors as well, some of them able to be influenced by us, others beyond our control.

While aging cannot be stopped or controlled, the formation of wrinkles on your skin can be controlled and minimized. To do this, you'll need to know what causes wrinkles, and what to do to avoid wrinkles on your face.

Intrinsic Aging

Also known as chronological aging, intrinsic aging is a completely natural process that occurs during the course of a lifetime. As people get older, the amount of collagen their body produces begins to reduce. Your skin naturally becomes less elastic and more brittle as you age. Natural oil production declines, causing your skin to become dry and wrinkled.

The fat in the deeper layers of your skin starts to go. This results in drooping, loose skin with more visible wrinkles and cracks.

Repeated Facial Expressions

Every time you use a facial muscle, such as when you smile, squint, or frown, a groove gets created under the skin's surface. These grooves become deeper the more the action is repeated, eventually forming wrinkles known as expression lines.

As the skin ages and loses its resilience, it becomes unable to spring completely back in place, making these grooves permanent features on your face over time.

Exposure to Ultraviolet Light

According to research, harmful UV rays from the sun contribute to about 80% of wrinkles on the faces of people. UVA radiation triggers collagen and elastic degradation in the dermal layer of the skin. And as this begins to happen, the skin begins to wrinkle and look sallow.

Wrinkles are not just the sum of it either. Photoaging can cause pigmentation problems, rough skin, and in some cases, skin cancer.

Smoking

Smoking is bad for the skin. The repeated motion associated with smoking can accelerate the formation of wrinkles on your face.



Nicotine in cigarettes also causes the blood cells under the skin to narrow, slowing down blood flow and ultimately causing the skin to wrinkle and sag prematurely.

Pollution

Environmental factors, including pollution, can also encourage wrinkling. Pollution releases free radicals into the atmosphere which cause damage by pulling electrons from other molecules in your body.



This activity affects chemical structures and biological functioning, speeding up the aging process, which is visible in the form of wrinkles on our skin.

Alcohol Intake

Alcohol consumption contributes to the formation of wrinkles on faces as well. Alcohol notoriously dehydrates the skin, and dry skin is more prone to developing wrinkles.

Heredity and Genetics

Interestingly, the formation of wrinkles on faces can be affected by genetic factors, albeit in a small way. Your genetic inheritance determines how your skin ages, which can have an impact on how fast wrinkles start to appear.



Further, people with darker skin tend to have fewer wrinkles due to the presence of melanin which helps protect the skin from the harmful effects of UV radiation.

Diet

What you eat can, to a large extent, hamper or hasten the appearance of wrinkles on your face. Refined carbs and sugar have been known to speed up the aging of the skin, leading to the formation of wrinkles much earlier than you would expect.



On the other hand, there's some evidence that suggests that eating plenty of fruits and vegetables, plus a healthy, balanced diet, can prevent skin damage and the appearance of wrinkles.

Inadequate Sleep

When you sleep, the body resets itself, automatically fixing issues that manifested during the day. In this case, your body increases blood flow to your skin, effectively triggering the regeneration of your skin cells. Getting adequate and sufficient sleep every night can help your body prevent wrinkles on your face.

Don't forget to sleep on your back, to prevent sleep Linea from getting permanently etched in your face and ultimately causing wrinkles.

Not Moisturizing

Your skin may get dry at various points throughout the day, and dry skin is more prone to wrinkling. By regularly moisturizing your skin, you prevent it from becoming dry, reducing the chances of the formation of wrinkles.

You can keep your skin moisturized by applying moisturizers at frequent intervals. Regularly drinking water can also help keep your skin refreshed from the inside.