The major cause of wrinkles is the aging process which effects us all, sadly. However there are also a number of contributing factors that can bring on wrinkles or speed up the process such as smoking, sun damage, skin type, heredity patterns, dry skin, stress and generally not looking after your skin or body.

Skin is made up of three layers; the outermost layer, the epidermis; the middle layer, the dermis and the innermost layer, the subcutaneous. The dermis has elastic qualities that help keep the skin nice and firm, this is due to elastin fibres. The dermis also produces collagen protein which along with the epidermis' ability to hold in water, keep the skin moist and be able to stretch and shape, all serve to prevent the skin from creasing or forming wrinkles.

As we get older however and our bodies show signs of slowing down, the dermis loses both elastin and collagen proteins while the epidermis struggles to moisturize the outermost layer, all of which makes the skin thin out, crack, sag and unable to fight off wrinkles.

Wrinkles form at different stages in different people, some people over 60 have fabulous skin and fewer wrinkles then some people in their late 30s. This could be because of good skin care, good genes, because they produce more natural sebum (skin oil) to keep the skin moist or any number of factors like lack of exposure to the sun and not smoking. It really does depend.

A good measure to see whether wrinkles will badly effect you in later life is to look at your parents. Did they age quickly, do they have good skin? If so, you will most likely have those potent genes. If not, then the possibility of you aging early or quicker is very high so you have to act now to take good care of your skin.

Wrinkles often form around the most fragile areas of the face such as the eyes (crows feet), the forehead (frown lines), around the nose between the two eyes at the top and around the mouth (laughter lines). These can be very fine lines due to over-animated facial expressions or deep wrinkles due to aging skin.

Anti-Wrinkles Tips

There are many procedures you can follow to reduce the sign of wrinkles, combat wrinkles or fight the aging process by following these tips:-

1) Stop smoking - smoking is not only bad for your lungs and general health, it also speeds up the aging process and damages your skin.

2) Change your diet - fighting wrinkles demands that you change your diet to a more suitable, well balanced and healthy eating program. Lots of vegetables, fruit and less fatty, acidic food.

3) Drink lots of water - drinking water can moisturize your skin and give it a supple complexion.

4) Avoid stress or worry - ever heard of the phrase "worry lines"? Stress contributes to wrinkles so try to avoid stressful situations or emotional distress.

5) Reduce sun exposure - one of the biggest factors behind aging and wrinkles is excessive exposure to the sun. Remember to use sun block whenever exposed to the sun.

6) Facial exercise - yes that's right. Massage your face and do routine facial exercises to tighten up saggy skin or firm loose skin. A toned face is less susceptible to wrinkles. Ignore the myth that facial exercises cause wrinkles - it's false and the complete opposite.

7) Reduce alcohol intake - alcohol can damage your skin, reduce your consumption. Wine on the other hand has shown to contain anti-wrinkle fighting qualities. As ever though, everything in moderation.

8) Moisturize your skin daily using creams, lotions or shower gel instead of using soap which can rob your skin of it's natural moisturizing oils.

9) Selective use of skin care products - some skin care products do more harm than good, look for ones that contain Vitamin A agents or don't block out natural skin producing oils.

10) Keep yourself fit - a healthy mind is a healthy body and vice versa. Take care of yourself, keep fit, energy is a powerful stimulant for the body and can give off a healthy glow to your skin.

Anti-Wrinkles Treatment

There are a whole host of anti-wrinkle treatments available from injections to surgery treatment as well as a plethora of skin care tips (see above) to help reduce and combat the aging process. More on Wrinkles Treatment...