Reducing the Appearance of Wrinkles

When it comes to skin care I'm all about keeping it natural. If there is a way to prevent an ailment from occurring I try to take proactive measures. I love Oil of Olay's slogan, "Love the skin you're in." We only have one set of skin and good skin care and diet are an essential part of caring for it.

Once we hit 25, our bodies naturally start producing less collagen and elastin, two proteins that are responsible for keeping skin soft and pliable. Decreased amounts of collagen and elastin contribute to skin wrinkling. At that point a decision needs to be made about how to approach the signs of wrinkling. Here are a few suggestions:

• Use Keratin. Keratin found in sheep's wool is a close replication of the collagen found in human skin. It is believed that the amino acids that make up keratin are needed in the production of collagen and elastins. Therefore, if the body increases production of these two elements, fine lines will lessen.
• Use Co-enzyme Q10. Add the co-enzyme Q10 supplement to your vitamin routine. Check to see if it is chelated so it can be absorbed by the body. This enzyme is chalked full of antioxidants which can prevent and repair damages caused by free radicals.
• Improve Diet. Reduce sugar and carbohydrate intake. Decrease the amount of fried food. Increase fresh fruits and vegetables and drink at least 8 glasses of water each day.

Once wrinkles have formed, if natural remedies do not deliver the desired results there are some minimally evasive treatments that can offer improvements:

• Botox injections: Botox works by temporarily paralyzing muscles under the facial skin that contributes to the creation of wrinkles. Depending on the severity of the area being treated, the average treatment consists of 15-20 small injections. Results are normally noticeable in about four days and will last up to 4 months. Best results are seen on crow's fee and furrows between the brow.
• Filler injections: Fillers work by introducing a substance under the skin to plump the areas around the wrinkles. These dermal fillers can be extremely effective for smile lines. Two types of fillers are typically used. Restylane is a clear gel made of hyaluronic acid (naturally found in human skin) which is injected under the skin's surface. The result is immediate and will last up to six months. Juvederm is also a hyaluronic acid based gel that is injected under the skin to enhance fullness and erase fine and deep wrinkle lines. Juvederm is reported to last up to one year.
• Chemical Peels. A light chemical peel utilizing alpha hydroxy acids can produce positive results in minimizing fine lines. They can be performed in the doctor's office and requires minimal healing time.

The best solution for preventing and minimizing wrinkling is to practice a good skin care routine. Use a gentle cleanser and a good moisturizer suited for your skin type. After investing in the above procedures it is recommended to limit sun exposure as it will decrease the skin's ability to remain supple.