6 Lesser-Known Causes of Facial Wrinkles Explained

 

When we think of youthful skin, we tend to imagine a clear, smooth complexion with no blemishes, lines, or wrinkles. We all wish there were some quick fix or magic bullet against the changes that occur in our skin due to chronological aging, but there’s unfortunately no way of fully protecting our skin against the impact of growing older and the onslaught of environmental forces such as gravity, sunlight, and pollution. We can practice good habits that delay and minimize these changes, however, as well as enjoy the benefit of treatments designed to address them. When it comes to reducing age-related wrinkles and lifting sagging skin, the go-to minimally invasive cosmetic treatment is fillers. The Dallas area’s Dermatology Office of Dr. Ellen Turner explains that adding lost volume back into the skin can help it to appear smoother, with results that last from months to years. 

While fillers are a reliable way of temporarily smoothing out wrinkles, patients who want to prevent additional ones from forming or stop wrinkles from becoming more permanently etched into the skin should also consider whether their own daily habits or the environments they’re exposing themselves to might be weakening the skin.

If you’re already doing all of the right things to keep your skin nourished and are unsure what’s still causing it to wrinkle, here are six perhaps-less-than-nobvious potential causes of wrinkles to consider. 

1. The Way You Sleep 

Skin experts have relatively recently discovered that the position you sleep in at night may have an impact on your skin. If you usually tend to sleep on your side or stomach, it may be wise to try to train yourself to sleep on your back. The constant mechanical action of sleeping in the same position places external pressure on the skin of the face and chest. It’s also better to switch to a smooth, silk pillowcase to avoid too much friction on the skin. 

2. An Unhealthy Diet and Sedentary Lifestyle 

If your diet is unbalanced and you consume a lot of processed foods with very little nutritional value, your skin is likely to be impacted just as much as your waistline. Getting little to no exercise means that you might not be getting enough blood circulation to your skin. This, in turn, means that the skin isn’t receiving as much oxygen and nutrients as it needs to function like it should. 

3. Looking Down at Your Phone

“Tech neck” is a slang term for the horizontal neck wrinkles we sometimes get in the neck area from constantly staring at phones, tablets, and other devices. These lines occur due to our movements when we crane our neck to look down or turn our head from side to side. Practicing good posture, holding screens directly in front of the face, and avoiding looking down at your phone can help to prevent the creases from forming. 

4. Poor Oral Health 

If you’re skipping dental appointments, avoiding the dentist might also be contributing to a look of premature aging. An abnormal bite or other jaw asymmetries have been linked to wrinkles occurring around the mouth and crow’s feet. 

5. Having Less Body Fat

Although maintaining a healthy weight is good for your skin, don’t forget that a certain amount of facial fat is what makes our skin and facial contours look youthful. If you’re constantly working out, the lean lifestyle can certainly make you look older. When you lose a large amount of weight through exercise or dieting, the change can create hollows around the cheeks, eyes, and temples, as well as deepened wrinkles. 

6. The Lack of a Good Skincare Routine 

“Mature skin” isn’t a skin type, but facial skin does require a different regimen as you reach your 30s, 40s, and beyond. As you age, your skin often becomes drier, thinner, and more prone to wrinkling, and will show the effects of sun damage more easily. Combine hyaluronic acid serums with moisturizers to replenish cell moisture, and use products such as retinols that improve cell turnover and collagen production. 

For more details on how to minimize wrinkles or other signs of premature aging with fillers, talk to the Dallas area’s Dermatology Office of Dr. Ellen Turner. Call them at (214) 373-7546, or submit a contact form to request a consultation.