Wrinkles are an inevitable consequence of getting older, but there are ways to minimize their visibility through prevention.
Topical retinoids like tretinoin can help diminish wrinkles, even out skin tone, and prevent breakouts while simultaneously reddening and peeling in some users.
Zinc and selenium minerals can help shield skin from sun damage, and are available as dietary supplements.
1. Retinoids
Retinoids are vitamin A-based ingredients used to reduce fine lines and treat mild acne, hyperpigmentation and uneven skin tone. There are various types of retinoids available over-the-counter; one popular option for OTC use is retinyl palmitate; it has less potency and side effects compared with prescription retinoids like retinaldehyde. Both convert to retinoic acid within keratinocytes which improve skin texture, acne and wrinkles.
Retinoids first gained FDA approval as acne treatments back in 1971, yet dermatologists quickly observed their ability to also reduce signs of photoaging such as wrinkles and fine lines. Retinoids accelerate cell turnover, increase collagen levels, counteract free radical damage and block UV rays from reaching lower layers of the skin – all features that dermatologists consider signs of photoaging.
2. Chemical peels
Chemical peels are a highly popular non-invasive cosmetic procedure. Not only can they improve wrinkles and other skin conditions, but often paired with topical retinoids for maximum results. A proper maintenance regime must be established in order to maximize peel results and preserve them over time.
Chemical peels remove multiple layers of damaged skin cells, improving complexion and diminishing fine lines while stimulating new collagen formation and thus providing better skin texture.
Different kinds of chemical peels exist, from superficial to deep. Light peels work best at reducing mild wrinkles and brightening skin tone, while deeper peels may help with fine lines, age spots and scarring, among others. Deep chemical peels may have more dramatic results but also have higher risks such as permanent skin color changes or reinactivating herpes simplex in patients predisposed to outbreaks.
3. Moisturizers
Moisturizers are essential in maintaining the integrity of the skin barrier. Available as lotion, cream and ointment forms, moisturizers help keep skin hydrated by providing essential emollients (lanolin and glycerol stearate) and occlusives (petrolatum and dimethicone).
Moistening the skin helps prevent dryness that leads to fine lines and roughness, and also restores its protective barrier function against irritation, desiccation, and chemical stress.
Moisturizers that contain retinyl palmitate, which may increase collagen and elastin production, claim to reduce fine lines; however, its weak form of vitamin A likely won’t significantly impact fine lines or wrinkles, but might have some benefit on skin softness and smoothness. Furthermore, certain moisturizers contain antioxidants like niacinamide, which reduce redness while simultaneously balancing oil production.
4. Zinc and selenium
Zinc is an essential trace element required for protein synthesis and immune responses in the body, as well as playing an essential role in various homeostatic mechanisms and immune responses. Zinc deficiency may result in hair loss, fatigue and decreased immunity; zinc supplementation can help strengthen these processes further.
Selenium is an essential micronutrient for human health and has been shown to significantly improve quality of life among cancer patients. While at lower concentrations it has anticarcinogenic and antioxidant effects, at higher concentrations it may impair DNA repair and induce oxidative stress – depending on its form and dose in selenium compounds which cause SH group oxidation or release zinc finger protein motifs from DNA repair proteins binding sites for zinc finger protein motif binding sites on DNA repair proteins.
5. Probiotics
Probiotics are live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, confer health benefits on their hosts. Probiotics may aid digestion, boost immunity or enhance gastrointestinal function – all key elements to improved overall wellness.
These therapies also aid in the reduction of inflammation while simultaneously increasing production of peptides, collagen and ceramides that improve skin elasticity and decrease fine lines. Furthermore, they enhance organisation of extracellular matrix (ECM), which acts like an umbrella covering cells and influences how they interact.
Oral probiotics directly influence the gut-skin axis by altering microbial populations and raising serum short-chain fatty acid levels that regulate immune responses. They have also been shown to have photoprotective properties for specific skin cells as well as reduce bacterial burden in conditions like Atopic Dermatitis.
