You know that most people get wrinkles as they age — but you know what actually causes wrinkles, and what can prevent them from forming? There are all kinds of rumors swirling about wrinkles and fine lines, making it tough to separate fact from fiction. In this guide, we debunk 11 common myths about wrinkles and their treatments.
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“There’s nothing you can do to prevent wrinkles.”
If you were told that there’s nothing that you can do to prevent wrinkles from forming, this is definitely a myth. Wrinkles are a natural part of aging, and everyone will have at least a few of them eventually, but there are many things that you can do to slow their development. If you’ve totally given up on preventing wrinkles, then read on to discover what will and won’t slow their formation!
“A perfect skincare routine will totally prevent wrinkles.”
On the other hand, maybe you’ve been told that if you can just find the perfect skincare routine, it will totally prevent wrinkles from forming at all. This is a myth, because there is no single perfect skincare routine: Everyone’s skincare needs are different and also change throughout their lives, which means that your perfect routine is unique to you. And while some anti-aging skincare products can slow the development of wrinkles, none of them can completely stop wrinkles from forming.
“Wrinkles are mostly caused by genetics.”
Another myth about wrinkles is that they are largely caused by our genetics. While genetics can and do play a role in wrinkle formation, environmental factors such as UV rays and pollution exposure are the main driving forces behind wrinkles. If your older relatives have a lot of wrinkles, then they most likely didn’t wear sunscreen and probably also smoked a lot when they were young.
“You should only wear sunscreen when you’re outside.’
Growing up, you might have been told that you only needed to wear sunscreen when you were going to be outside on a sunny day. This is completely false: UV rays can penetrate clouds and windows and damage your skin even on overcast days, causing wrinkles to form prematurely. In fact, you should be wearing sunscreen on your exposed skin on your face and decollete every single day, even if you’re just sitting inside.
“Moisturizing can prevent wrinkles.”
Dry, dull skin can worsen the appearance of wrinkles, while moisturizing can temporarily lessen the appearance of fine lines by plumping the skin and smoothing out the surface. However, moisturizing on its own cannot prevent or cure the appearance of wrinkles. While moisturizing is an essential part of any skincare routine, it’s no replacement for sunscreen, so make sure you’re using them together instead of choosing only one.
“Wrinkle treatment is too expensive.”
While there are certainly some luxury beauty treatments out there that command a high price tag because of their innovative new ingredients, not all wrinkles treatments are incredibly expensive. In fact, some of them — such as sunscreen — cost only a few dollars and can easily be procured at the drugstore. Wrinkle prevention is one of the best investments that you can make in your health.
“You should wait to treat wrinkles until they become visible.”
While some things can help lessen the appearance of wrinkles once they form, it’s much more effective to treat wrinkles because they can manifest. That’s why it’s never too early to start using anti-aging skincare products, even if you are still in your twenties. In fact, the earlier you start using them, the more effective they will be at slowing the development of wrinkles and fine lines.
“Facial exercises can prevent wrinkles.”
You have heard that facial exercises (sometimes also called “face yoga”) can treat or prevent the formation of wrinkles. Unfortunately, these claims haven’t really been studied, so there’s not really any evidence to back up this theory. What we do know is that making the same facial expressions over and over again can cause wrinkles to form, so those facial exercises might actually backfire!
“Botox is the best treatment for wrinkles.”
Botox is a good option for dynamic wrinkles, which are wrinkles that are formed by repeated facial movements. However, dermal fillers can be a more effective treatment for static wrinkles, especially if they are caused by fat loss in the face. A dermatologist will be able to talk to you about the treatment options and which ones will be most effective for different types of wrinkles.
“Vaping won’t give you wrinkles like cigarettes will.”
Since vaping is a relatively new phenomenon, its effects haven’t been studied as widely as cigarettes. However, we do know that vape cartridges contain nicotine, and that nicotine constricts your blood vessels and leads to signs of premature aging. The longer and more often you vape, the more you will see its effects on your skin, including the formation of wrinkles.
“Face rollers can prevent wrinkles.”
Some skincare fanatics swear that face rollers don’t just give your face a nice massage, they also claim that they can prevent wrinkles. While these face rollers are pleasant to use, there’s no evidence that they can prevent the formation of new wrinkles or lessen the appearance of existing fine lines. Feel free to keep on using one in your skincare routine, but don’t rely on it for anti-aging effects or consider it an essential part of your skincare set.
While wrinkles are a normal part of aging, wearing sunscreen, not smoking, and other anti-aging precautions can make a difference in your appearance as you get older. We hope this guide helps answer your burning questions about wrinkles and makes you feel more informed about creating your own anti-aging skincare routine.
