5 Wrinkle Myths You Need to Know About
Wrinkles are an inevitable part of the aging process. Yet, due to the overwhelming amount of information everywhere from the internet and social media to magazines and television, there are many myths about wrinkles.
So, what causes wrinkles? There are several influences, but the most influential is intrinsic aging, a genetically determined process. Fluctuating hormones, glycation, oxidative stress, and your DNA all contribute to loss of elasticity, thinning, uneven/dull skin tone, roughness, and the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Aging skin is also caused by extrinsic factors such as the sun, smoking, eating an unhealthy diet, consuming alcohol in excess, sleep habits, and environmental factors — including the adverse effects of cell phones and fluorescent lights.
So, now that we’ve set the record straight on how wrinkles are formed let’s take a look at some of the most popular wrinkle myths so that you can spend more time taking care of your skin the right way (self-care alert!) and less time worrying about false information.
Myth 1: Applying Skincare Products in a Downward Motion Will Give You Wrinkles
The direction of product application is a controversial myth as you’ve probably heard everyone from your esthetician to the sales associate at the department store tell you otherwise. The reality is, due to the elasticity of the skin, it’s going to bounce right back whether you’re using upward or downward motions. You simply cannot rub a wrinkle into the skin. Collagen and elastin fibers don’t differentiate between an up or down movement.
However, there are benefits from getting or self-administering a facial massage, including a rejuvenated appearance and the reduction of fine lines in wrinkles. See for yourself with the SiO Cryo System. The SiO Cryodrop harnesses the power of cold therapy, facial massage, and diamagnetic technology to sculpt facial contours, diminish puffiness, re-energize your skin, and helps you fight the signs of aging for the long-term. It’s like a spa experience at home!
Myth 2: Anti-Aging Skincare Routines Are One-Size-Fits-All
Indeed, ingredients like vitamin C, flavonoids, niacinamide, alpha hydroxy acids, coenzyme Q10, resveratrol, vitamin E, and retinoids are highly effective. They help neutralize skin-damaging free radicals, correct the signs of age, protect against the sun, brighten and tone, and help the skin repair itself. However, the ingredients and products that work for you may not work for someone else, and vice versa. Age, skin tone and type, whether or not you have a skin condition (think: psoriasis or rosacea), and the climate where you live are just a few of the factors that should influence your skincare routine.
Keep in mind that most anti-aging products take a minimum of six weeks to start producing a result — sometimes longer — so exercise patience. To avoid an irritated complexion, it’s a good idea to start with one product with an active ingredient at a time. Once your skin becomes adapted, you can introduce additional products. It’s always a good idea to regularly check in with a skincare professional such as a dermatologist or esthetician to make sure you’re taking care of your skin correctly.
Myth 3: All of Your Wrinkles Are Predetermined by the Age of 25
The reality is, this is around the age when fine lines start to form due to a loss of collagen, the structural protein responsible for a firm complexion. After the age of 20, we lose 1 percent of the collagen in our skin per year. So no, we don’t have hidden wrinkles at 25 that “pop up” when we’re 40 or 50. Sun exposure — especially if you’re not wearing SPF — is a surefire way to accelerate the aging process. At the end of the day, it’s intrinsic and extrinsic factors that are responsible for the wrinkle cycle.
Myth 4: Moisturizer Prevents Wrinkles
Moisturizer cannot prevent wrinkles, but don’t go tossing your night cream just yet. Hydrating and moisturizing can help prevent moisture loss and keep your skin’s lipid barrier intact. When you cover these two bases, fine lines and wrinkles are less prominent. You’ll also impart a more healthy, glowing complexion. Of course, you can up the ante by choosing a moisturizer with the aforementioned anti-aging ingredients. However, keep in mind that serums deliver active ingredients into the skin on a deeper level — which brings us to our next point.
Myth 5: You Don’t Have to Pay an Arm and a Leg for a Skincare Routine
The skincare products market in the U.S. is estimated at $36.5 billion in 2020, a number that’s been on a steady increase since the recession of 2008. Despite how much money people are pouring into their skincare routines, the truth of the matter is, you don’t have to. The secret is to focus on quality over quantity. Invest in a couple of core items and the rest of your routine can be more simple and cost-effective.
As mentioned above, while you can purchase an anti-aging skin cream, serums are a better way to get a bang for your buck. Serums are highly concentrated formulations designed to deliver an intensive dose of ingredients deep into the skin.
Of course, to be effective, you have to focus on the quality of ingredients, the formulation, the vehicle, and the compound’s stability. “To be honest, I don’t think price makes a difference,” says Dr. Waldman, associate professor in the department of dermatology at Harvard Medical School. “More important than price are the ingredients in the serum — so the best practice is to read labels to find the best formulation for your needs.”