Women are starting to look after themselves at a much earlier age so they can look as good as they can, for as long as they can They crave information on the latest and greatest miracle creams and wrinkle remedies. Now, for the price of a lipstick, girls can get the real scoop on their biggest beauty concern – wrinkles.how to be wrinkle free

This site delivers fresh solutions to the age-old problem of frown and smile lines, furrows, crow’s-feet and creases, from the forehead down to the décolleté – for prevention, maintenance and correction to teach you how to be wrinkle free for as long as possible. It features the low down on the most state-of-the-art methods, what works and what is a waste of money, top clinical advances, new para-surgical treatments, DIY home remedies, as well as resources for how to find a good doctor, shopping guides and web links.


The Basics

Our life expectancy has reached an all time high. Women born in 1970 can expect to live an average of 79.5 years. The sad fact is that we all age, but looking older than you have to is a matter of choice. With modern technology, you can hold off looking old and stay wrinkle free for longer.

Wrinkles form largely because levels of collagen — a component of the connective tissue in the skin that creates flexibility — decrease over time. There are two major ways that skin ages: intrinsic ageing, which is genetically, programmed and affects the skin all over your body; photo-ageing, resulting from the long-term effects of sun, smoking and pollution. The degree to which skin photo-ages is also determined genetically to some extent. Fair-skinned people tend to photo-age more and earlier than those with dark skin.

The earlier you start caring for your complexion, the better it will serve you over the long haul. Anti-wrinkle treatments can undo damage, but prevention is best. 80 per cent of the lines and wrinkles you see in the mirror were caused  by the sun. The other 20 per cent result from smiling, pouting and frowning. If you have not paid your skin its due respect, all is not lost. It is never too late to start preventing wrinkles, or to begin therapy to soften the ones you have and attempt to be wrinkle free.


Face Facts

The skin that gets exposed to those nasty UV rays the most – your face, neck and hands – is obviously the part of the body that will age the fastest.

Similarly, the skin that is the thinnest on the body – the delicate eyelid area – is most susceptible to damage, lines and ageing. The skin is the body’s first defence against disease and infection. It is the largest organ in the body and protects your internal organs from injuries. It regulates body temperature, prevents excess fluid loss and helps your body remove any water and salt that it doesn’t need. It also protects against light, infection and environmental elements.

The skin is the body’s largest organ, weighing 6-9 pounds and stretching up to 20 square feet. Each square inch of it contains about 15 feet of blood vessels, 10 oil glands and 2 different kinds of sweat glands. The process of producing healthy new skin cells and removing or shedding old cells takes about 28 days.

Thinning skin is a result of a breakdown of collagen fibres. Skin loses elasticity, especially if it has been exposed to excessive sunlight, and becomes more fragile.


Skin Deep

Skin is composed of 3 layers: the outermost layer, or epidermis, the middle layer, or dermis, and the deepest layer, the hypodermis.


Epidermis

The epidermis consists of 4 layers:

Stratum corneum – Dead, dense protein cells known as keratin make up the outer layer of the epidermis that can be seen and felt.

Granular layer – Dead keratin cells are moved to the surface of the epidermis by the granular layer.

Squamous cell layer – This layer produces keratin for the stratum corneum and transports water. Blisters originate in the squamous cell layer.

Basal cell layer – The lowest layer of the epidermis where squamous cells are produced, and the cells that produce melanin, or skin pigment, reside.


Dermis

The dermis is the middle layer of skin. It is a combination of blood vessels, hair follicles and sebaceous or oil glands. The proteins collagen and elastin are also found in the dermis and provide support and elasticity to the skin. The sun’s rays eventually break down these proteins.


Hypodermis

The hypodermis is a layer of fatty tissue that provides nourishment to the dermis and upper layers of skin. It also conserves body heat and cushions internal organs against trauma. Blood vessels, nerves, sweat glands and deeper hair follicles are found in the hypodermis.


Skin Ageing

So you think your skin is going to look young forever. Guess again! At 30, it takes on a life of its own. Your mission is to outsmart your skin cells before they get the better of you.


20s Skin heaven – Your skin is clear of spots, your pores are invisible and your complexion is even and taut. Save your skin by using an SPF15 everyday and getting your tan out of a bottle, tube or spray. Start your preventative anti-ageing regime with a good eye cream to hold off crow’s-feet. Cleanse well, remove all traces of dirt and make-up before going to bed and keep oil plugs at bay with good exfoliation.


30s Party’s over – Expect to see visible changes in your skin’s texture. This can be a real eye opener. Cell turnover gently slows down, so adding exfoliants to speed it up is key. It’s the perfect time to start more intense anti-ageing skin care. Collagen and elastin fibres begin to break down, so keep them firm by integrating nutrients into your programme like Vitamin C, AHAs, antioxidants and plant enzymes. Smokers will start to see fine lines around the mouth and squinters will spy their first crow’s-feet. It’s the ideal time to get professional advice about treatments like BOTOX®, peeling treatments and lasers for thread veins.


40s They’re here – Your wrinkles are in full force so it’s time to bring out the heavy artillery. Everything becomes lazy: skin gets drier, sagging and wrinkles give way to folds, furrows and creases. Your brow droops and the corners of your mouth turn down as jowls creep up. The best plan is to fight back with medically advanced skin care formulas which are worth spending money on. Look for high-tech ingredients like antioxidants and enzymes, which should keep your face and neck supple. Wage war on brown spots with lightening agents. Stick to a regime of facial peels, BOTOX® and wrinkle fillers to combat creases. This is the time to start investigating surgical options to plan for your beauty future to remain wrinkle free for as long as you possibly can.


50s Desperate measures – It’s a big number, but don’t let it get you down. Turn back the clock with rejuvenating treatments, moisturising serums and firming masks. Your hormones are wreaking havoc, accounting for enlarged pores and increased oil activity. At this stage, you will get limited results from para-surgical treatments. Once your jawline starts to soften and the nasal labial folds require lots of filling, the time has come to nip or tuck. Facelift techniques have come a long way. With shorter scars and faster healing, they are the mainstay in a woman’s arsenal against ageing. By having your first lift before you turn 50 you may never have to go public. It won’t make you look 25 again but it can keep your big birthday a secret for longer – and keep you wrinkle free that bit longer too!