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One of the first visible signs of aging on most individuals is
the appearance of wrinkles. You may start with a small line located
in a certain area, such as around the eyes. As the years pass, the
size and numbers of your wrinkles increases until you have them
around your entire face as well as your neck and hands.
There are several internal factors that can cause the formation
of wrinkles. Genetics can determine if you are going to be prone to
wrinkles. Hormonal imbalances such as those that are present during
menopause can also cause wrinkles to form. Unfortunately, there is
not much that you can do about these internal elements to wrinkle
formation.
External factors can also be tied with the formation of wrinkles.
Until recent years, tanning lotions were available to enhance the
sun’s effect on the skin to cause it to darken easily. We were not
aware of the amount of damage that this sunbathing could cause to
our skin.
Today it is recommended to avoid overexposure to the sun as much
as possible, using sun screen and other protective products if you
are going to be outside for any period of time. Tanning should also
be avoided at all costs. There is even some question as to the
safety of tanning beds. So it is best to avoid them as well.
The presence of free radicals in the skin can also cause wrinkles
to develop. These radicals are unstable oxygen molecules that are
present in the skin cells that can cause the skin to break down. The
use of skin products that contain antioxidants can neutralize the
effects of these molecules. These antioxidants can also be found in
a variety of foods.
Drinking alcohol and smoking cigarettes can also cause permanent
damage to your skin cells. Alcohol can dehydrate your skin cells
causing the skin to become dry while the nicotine that is the
by-product of cigarette smoke can displace the oxygen in your blood
steam, lowering the amount that your cells are receiving. This can
lead to poor circulation to your skin, destroying its natural
ability to create moisture as well as decreasing the production of
collagen and elastin. You should limit the amount of your alcohol
intake and quit smoking immediately.
Wrinkles are a natural side effect of the aging process. By
eliminating the external factors that can cause the formation of
these lines and creases, you can help your skin to maintain a more
youthful appearance.
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