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WHAT ARE FINE LINES?
Fine lines are exactly what they sound like: thin lines that appear on the skin, which eventually deepen into wrinkles. As the body gets older, a protein called collagen in our tissues starts to break down. We also start to produce less collagen as we age. This reduced amount of collagen, combined with repetitive muscle use, compromises the firmness and elasticity of the skin.
Fine lines can start showing up as early as your twenties. You’ll likely start to notice fine lines near the eyes and mouth first. This is because we are regularly exercising those eye and mouth facial muscles for actions like squinting and smiling.
It’s important to note that these lines are completely natural. It happens to everyone. But if you’d like to stave them off a little longer, you’ve come to the right place.Â
Below we’ve gathered advice, prevention techniques, natural treatments—everything you’ll need to understand and treat fine lines.
PREVENTION FOR FINE LINES
We all inevitably lose collagen as we age. However, how rapidly we lose that collagen is another story. There are many lifestyle changes that can help slow the degradation and loss of precious collagen. Diet is one of the most important changes we can make. Healthy portions of citrus fruits, blueberries, kale, spinach, fish, eggs, beans and poultry are recommended. The key is getting enough Vitamin C and protein in your diet.
It might not surprise you to learn that drinking in excess, smoking, and consuming too much sugar and processed food will speed up the aging process. If you want to slow down the onslaught of fine lines, you’ll want to cut down on these behaviors. It’s not easy to give up a habit, but there are many resources that can help. You might try researching a local support group or seeing a health professional.
FINE LINES UNDER EYES
The skin under your eyes is thin and will require more gentle intervention than the rest of your skin. You can try gentle moisturizers, retinoids, and eye serum. Eye serum can help the skin under your eyes get soft and hydrated. It assists the entire body in producing collagen as well. Antioxidants and carotenoids have also been found to decrease fine lines and wrinkles.
Look into the way you sleep. If your face is smushed into the pillow instead of the back of your head, this could be contributing to the problem. If possible, try to switch up the way you sleep and give your face some much-needed pressure relief. Changing up your pillowcases could help with fine lines under the eyes, too. Try out a soft pillowcase made of satin or silk.
Some face masks specifically target the under-eye area. These masks use ingredients like peptides or hyaluronic acid to reduce puffiness and smoothen the skin under your eyes. Eye patches or eye creams are also options if you’d like to home in on this area. These treatments can be a bit pricy, however. Remember the most important steps to reducing fine lines are completely free—no smoking, no suntanning, no excessive drinking, and limiting junk food consumption.
FINE LINES ON THE FOREHEAD
Prevention is a much easier process than treatment. Don’t wait for your fine lines to deepen into wrinkles. Start treating these lines early through the implementation of healthy routines. Add collagen-stimulating products into your daily routine. The key is to keep your skin elastic and hydrated. As we get older, our skin becomes drier. Using products like moisturizers and serums to rehydrate the skin is important. Wear sunscreen every day. Indulge in a facial massage.
There are also more intensive procedures you can consult your physician about if you’d like. These include chemical peels, under eye filler, Botox injections, micro needling, and laser treatments. These treatments can smoothen your skin and help eradicate fine lines. For example, chemical peels work by removing the first layer of your skin. This prompts the body to produce collagen and incites cell turnover. For a detailed look at each procedure type, check out our crow’s feet article.
A more radical approach can be effective, but many require aftercare. They can also have severe side effects. You may want to speak to your physician and/or dermatologist before making a decision about a serious procedure. An expert can let you know about the pros and cons of each treatment plan.
If you have melanin-rich skin, certain procedures may affect your skin differently. Microneedling may work well, but laser treatments and chemical peels may be riskier. Always do research beforehand and speak with an expert.
HELP WITH FINE LINES
Plant Mother’s plant-based retinol serum is a tremendous asset in the battle for smooth, healthy skin. The organic, vegan retinol works to rebuild collagen, reduce wrinkles and fine lines, and nourish the skin. Other retinols can be a nightmare for individuals with sensitive skin. Vegan retinol grants all the benefits of retinol without irritating your skin or drying it out. This anti-aging serum boasts over 20 anti-aging plants. The combination of natural ingredients is better for your skin and the environment.
The Plant Mother organic vegan Vitamin C serum contains 200 antioxidants to promote collagen and prevent your skin from aging prematurely. You’ll not find a vitamin C serum on the market with the same ingredient profile. Every ingredient is all-natural, working in tandem to reduce signs of aging and brighten your skin.
Use plant-based eye serum to treat extremely dry skin under your eyes. Every Plant Mother product is chemical- and toxic-free. Plant Mother is dedicated to clean, environmentally friendly skincare. All of the packaging is zero-waste and ingredients are non-GMO and farmed without the use of pesticides.
FACIAL TREATMENTS FOR FINE LINES
There are too many treatments for fine lines and wrinkles to properly cover. Treatments range widely in type, intensity, cost, and composition. One absolutely free technique is face yoga. It may sound a little silly, but face yoga can produce similar effects to fillers and botox. Training and relaxing your facial muscles can firm up your skin and reduce signs of aging. Complete a face yoga routine each day for a few weeks. You’ll be surprised at the difference it can make!
WHAT TO ADD TO YOUR SKINCARE ROUTINE
Sunscreen, or to be more specific, a biodegradable sunscreen is the most important part of your skincare routine. Too much exposure to the sun can increase the risk of skin cancer and exacerbate signs of aging. Be sure to wear sunglasses when you go outside, as well. Repetitive squinting in the sunlight will only worsen fine lines.
Keep your skin hydrated, too. A good moisturizer will hydrate and nourish the skin. Applying a high quality daily face serum can help keep the moisture in.Â
WHAT TO AVOID
First and the most important thing is to switch to 100% organic skincare and makeup. Beauty products with synthetic and artificial ingredients don’t have necessary nutrients for your skin. Additionally, non-organic products can irritate your skin and cause hormonal imbalance.Â
Behaviors and products that clog your pores can make the fine line situation worse down the road. The word noncomedogenic means the product won’t clog your pores.
Avoid highly processed meats and fried foods (French fries, bacon, hot dogs, etc.) These foods contain a toxin called advanced glycation end products, or AGEs. Consumption of AGEs compromises skin health by inhibiting collagen.
Avoid sun tanning and tanning beds. There are safe ways to simulate a tan, like using a self-tanner. Tanning bed use can age and damage your skin and may put you at risk for skin cancer. You really don’t want to be voluntarily exposing yourself to more UV rays
IN CONCLUSION
Fine lines and wrinkles are a natural part of life. Nothing will stop or reverse aging signs completely. But that doesn’t mean we’re powerless. Our choices in diet, lifestyle, and skincare products can help to slow the visible aging process.
Remember to always be kind to yourself! No number of fine lines and wrinkles can or should stop you from feeling and looking beautiful.
MEDICAL DISCLAIMER
This content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice or to take the place of such advice or treatment from a personal physician. All readers of this content are advised to consult their doctors or qualified health professionals regarding specific health questions. The publisher of this content does not take responsibility for possible health consequences of any person or persons reading or following the information in this educational content. All viewers of this content, especially those taking prescription or over-the-counter medications, should consult their physicians before beginning any nutrition, supplement, skincare product, or lifestyle program.
