The Beauty Box

Facial wrinkles are probably at the top of the list of visible signs of aging that we want to minimize or get rid of completely. How do we rid of them? Short of surgery, I’m not sure we can. But to help slow the process, I believe we can do something about that!

Most are aware of the major common causes of wrinkles – too much sun exposure, stress, alcohol, cigarette smoking and just simply getting older.

However, there are some lesser known factors that may be contributing to your facial wrinkles, that you have not considered. These factors may not have the macro effects of the list already mentioned above, but  they are worth noting, especially if you are concerned about the appearance of facial wrinkles and desire to slow down the process.

Sleeping on one side all night
Research has shown that sleeping on one side the entire night can cause creases on your skin to develop. This is because as you crunch your skin against your pillow, creases may develop on your chest, chins and cheeks.

Unfortunately, as you get older, your skin will no longer be capable of smoothing out or springing back as quickly as it did you were younger. Try to minimize the habit of sleeping on only one side by changing sleep positions throughout the night. Another option is to use silky soft pillowcases to reduce friction on your skin.

Lack of Sleep
According to an article, Sleep Deprivation Linked to Aging Skin, Study Suggests by Shelley Emiling, The Huffington Post,
a chronic lack of sleep may lead to premature aging of the skin. A clinical trial commissioned by Estee Lauder and University Hospitals Case Medical Center physician-scientists found that women who did not get enough sleep exhibited more signs of skin aging such as fine lines, uneven skin tone and lost of elasticity than the women who slept well.

The amount of sleep a person needs depend on their age. However, it is recommended that the average adult needs 7-8 hours per night. Armed with this knowledge, you may ask yourself if you are getting enough sleep.
Read the full article and findings here.

Spending Long Hours Inside the Vehicle
It is a common fallacy that being inside the car totally spares you from the harmful rays of the sun. However, if you drive or stay inside the car for long hours you can still be a target of the sun’s UV rays. One way to prevent this from happening is to apply broad-spectrum sunscreen daily when traveling.

Another way is to wear sunglasses, which help prevent squinting – another wrinkle-maker. Additionally, you can opt to have your windows tinted.

Not all Car Windows Protect Against UV Rays, a post from https://autoblog.com, states that the windshield provides the most sun protection from UV Rays. According to one of the executives of Pittsburgh Glass Works, windshields absorb 100 percent of UVB rays (which cause sunburn), and around 98 percent of UVA rays. UVA rays do not cause sunburn but can do long-term damage to the skin. Windshields give a sun protection factor(SPF) of 50 or more.

Since side windows are usually constructed from a less expensive tempered glass and do not contain a layer of plastic, they usually only absorb approximately 65% of UV Rays. They have a SPF around 16, which is the same as the lowest grades of sunscreen.
Read Blog Post Here. Not all Car Windows Protect Against UV Rays.

Repeated Facial Expressions
Many of us have the habit of frowning or squinting whenever we want to express ourselves. If you are one of these people, then chances are there are already several grooves forming beneath the surface of your skin. Gradually, these grooves will become obvious marks that are known as wrinkles which are also referred to as laugh lines, frown lines and forehead folds. Don’t stop laughing. Laughing can be a great stress reliever.

Eating  an Unbalanced Diet
Often we are warned against the over-consumption of meat and how it may affect our health. However, the real problem is over consuming meat to the point of excluding other food groups, especially fruit and vegetables. When it comes to fighting wrinkles, we often forget the importance of eating plant-based foods which are loaded with anti-oxidants that fight against premature signs of aging.

Meat has its nutritional benefits, however, avoiding greens and other colored vegetables can speed up and cause age-related symptoms such as skin wrinkles to appear prematurely. A great way to combat these wrinkles is to load up your plate with fish, olive oil, fruits and vegetables. Remember that you need to be beautiful inside and out!

Washing too much
I’m sure you have heard the adage, “Cleanliness is next to godliness”; but habitually washing too much can have a negative effect on the health of your skin. Over washing your face can deplete it of its natural oils resulting in dry skin that is more susceptible to wrinkles.

Some soaps and cleansers contain ingredients which are harsh to the skin, especially if not quickly rinsed off. Make sure to use mild soaps and use those that you specifically created for your face.

These six lesser known wrinkle causing habits may be familiar or unfamiliar, my goal is to increase your awareness so that you can become proactive as you age. As always, enjoy the process. The journey is worth taking!