Wrinkles – they’re synonymous with aging and something most of us would like to do without. And while their appearance is ultimately inevitable with time, we can still take precautions to help us age a little more gracefully, even without accessing the fountain of youth. In order to better prevent them, it helps to better understand the different types of wrinkles and what causes them. 

Causes:
Your skin is primarily made up of collagen, which gives it its firmness, its elasticity and its ability to continuously repair itself. As we age, it loses its ability to do so and due to this loss of elasticity, skin then begins to wrinkle when stretched or compressed. Factors such as sun exposure, smoking, and poor skin care habits can expedite this loss. 

Types:
Dynamic Expression Lines - Caused by facial muscle movements, some of the more notorious dynamic wrinkles include crows feet and laugh lines. There’s not much you can do to prevent these lines, besides opting for botox.

Atrophic Crinkling Rhytids - Caused by a loss of elasticity and collagen in the skin, these fine lines are usually shallow, parallel to each other, and disappear when skin is stretched. The best way to prevent these lines is to limit your sun exposure, wear sunscreen, and keep skin moisturized. 

Permanent Elastotic Creases - Caused by heavy sun exposure, these wrinkles are due to a lack of elasticity in the skin. They present themselves as creases in the cheeks, upper lip and neck. The best way to prevent these wrinkles is also to limit sun exposure and wear sunscreen. 

Gravitational Folds - Caused by gravity’s pull on the skin over time, in addition to the loss of collagen and elasticity, these lines appear as sagging skin. Cosmetic surgery such as face lifts are the best way to treat these wrinkles. 

Prevention: 

Sun protection 
90% of aging occurs through sun exposure, so wearing sunscreen is a great way to slow down the process. Incorporating a Vitamin C serum into your nightly routine helps repair the daily damage caused by UV ray exposure. 

Skin care routine 
Keeping your skin hydrated with a hyaluronic acid, expediting skin renewal with a retinoid, and exfoliating regularly can do wonders with slowing down the aging process. 

Hydrate 
Drinking a lot of water not only rids your body of toxins, but keeps your skin hydrated as well and hydrated skin is slower to wrinkles. 

Eat healthy 
Antioxidants aren’t just something to be applied externally. Eating a diet rich in antioxidants will help improve skin’s elasticity from the inside out. And while we’re discussing healthy habits, not smoking is a great way to ward on wrinkles. 

Relax
Getting a good night’s rest, relaxing your facial muscles, and finding ways to combat stress will not only help your short term complexion, but will prevent the lines caused by frowning, scowling, or pursing your lips.