WHAT CAUSES WRINKLES?
Wrinkles—Small-Scale Structural Collapse Aging and sun damage (also known as photoaging) are the one-two punch that leads to wrinkles. With age, epidermal (surface skin) cells become visibly thinner and less sticky. Decreased stickiness compromises the protective nature of the skin barrier and lets more moisture escape, leading to dryness. But while dryness makes wrinkles more visible, it doesn’t cause them. It’s in the dermal, or next deepest, layer of skin that wrinkles are actually produced. At this depth, aging results in reduced production of collagen (a supportive compound) and wear and tear on the elastin fibers that make skin supple. As the skin’s collagen and elastin scaffolding gives way, wrinkles and sagging naturally occur. At the same time, fat cells in the subcutaneous layer (one step deeper) shrink with age, and are no longer able to fill in the damage in the other layers, making wrinkles more noticeable. But if the body does all this to itself with age, why should we be worried about what the sun is doing? Because ultraviolet light from the sun causes collagen in the dermis to break down at an even higher rate than simple aging. It also damages elastin fibers. The body reacts to elastin damage with an outpouring of enzymes called metalloproteinases which are supposed to make repairs, but unfortunately cause damage (called solar scars) to nearby collagen fibers through overzealousness. When this process of damage, repair and damage happens over and over again, wrinkles develop. In addition, even small amounts of UV create free radicals, those unstable oxygen molecules that scavenge other molecules for the electrons they need. Free radicals also activate metalloproteinases, giving those besieged collagen fibers no relief! Looking at the skin on different parts of your own body will probably make it clear that, while skin ages all over, it ages more, and more quickly, where there is plenty of sun exposure. Face and hands vs. upper legs and butt…see any difference? Other factors also contribute to wrinkling—repetitive muscle use, gravity, heredity, stress. An enzyme that breaks down collagen and elastin has been found in cigarette smoke, so ‘smokers’ skin’ is no longer just an urban legend. The hormonal effects of decreased estrogen, as in menopause, have also long been thought to produce changes in the skin leading to wrinkles, but studies in humans have not yet demonstrated this.

WRINKLE HOME TREATMENTS, PREVENTION & IMPROVEMENT
Wrinkle Home Treatment—Prevention and Improvement are Possible Whether you’re 20 or 70, there’s no need to leave yourself open to external factors that will cause more wrinkle damage. Prevention is easier than improvement, by a large margin. That makes sunscreen the first product to reach for in the fight against wrinkles. Find one with a high SPF, full-spectrum UVB and UVA protection, and apply it liberally and consistently, rain or shine. And try to put down the cigarettes. Even if you can ignore the damage to your lungs, you’re probably looking other effects in the face every morning. The good news is skin, as well as lung, damage does begin to reverse once you quit.

A few more lifestyle tips:

• Sleep well. Have a good day. Both lack of sleep and day-to-day stress increase levels of a hormone called cortisol, which breaks down that all-important skin scaffolding.
• Eat more fish, soy and cocoa. Cold-water fish like salmon have high levels of essential fatty acids which help nourish skin and keep it youthful. New research is showing that soy helps to heal some photoaging damage. Cocoa apparently has elements that protect skin from new sun damage (Which is not to say that a daily cup of cocoa will replace a good sunblock—but every bit of protection helps!)
• Eat more fruits and veggies. Their powerful antioxidants fight free-radical damage.

The main aims of at-home wrinkle treatment should be to provide protection against further damage, build collagen, increase cell turnover, and plump and firm skin for a smoother appearance.

• Antioxidants can be applied topically (to the surface of the skin) as well as taken internally to help prevent and repair free-radical damage.
• Retinoids such as retinol help prevent collagen breakdown and stimulate collagen renewal.
• Alpha-hydroxy acids reduce the look of fine lines by exfoliating the top layer of dead skin cells. They encourage cell turnover and, in higher concentrations, may increase collagen in photo-aged skin.
• Pentapeptides are the relative newcomers to home wrinkle treatment. Research, including a study supported by the National Institutes of Health, reports they increase collagen production in sun-damaged skin.
• Hydrating ingredients help hold in moisture that can otherwise be lost through the weakened skin barrier, and plump up skin to make wrinkles shallower and less noticeable.

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SKIN RX CLINIC TREATMENTS FOLLOW THE SCIENCE
Our Visible Lift Eye Gel helps the critical skin around the eyes by hydrating, firming, reducing puffiness and minimizing dark circles with natural ingredients. Our Anti-Aging Kit contains two special products: the new Bio-Peptide Concentrate with pentapeptide Matrixyl has active collagen-building properties as effective as low concentrate retinol, but without the irritation. It is paired with Face Firming Complex, which contains a blend of proven antioxidants and the dermatologist-recommended ingredient DMAE to firm skin for a more youthful look. Our  double-peptide PepToxyl Wrinkle Relaxing Crème mimics the smoothing effects of Botox by inhibiting muscle contractions that produce wrinkles and increases collagen and elastin production.

External Links—For More Information

• “Wrinkles—Causes and Treatment”. The Cleveland Clinic
• “23 Ways to Reduce Wrinkles”. WebMD
• “What Causes Wrinkles”. About.com
• “Wrinkles”. MedicineNet.com