The most obvious, and telling, sign of ageing, wrinkles are one of the hardest things to get rid off. The unsuspecting facial contour often appears as fine lines, and then develops into a full-blown wrinkle overnight. Apart from slathering on various skincare creams, follow these tips to help delay your ageing process.
IMAGE: Sung-il Kim/Sung-Il Kim/Corbis
MOISTURISE
Most women skip moisturising their skin because they hate the greasy feeling, and in sunny Singapore, it’s further justified. But if you don’t want to develop a crinkle in your skin, you really need to moisturise. The most obvious signs of fine lines appear when the skin is dry, which is why moisturising will not only prevent wrinkles from forming, but also act as a “mask” to hide those wrinkles.
USE THE RIGHT CLEANSER
I have a friend who is relatively young, but her face is filled with very deep lines and wrinkles all over (despite the fact that she invests in a very decent anti-ageing routine). After quizzing her habits, I realised the problem: She is very fond of harsh cleansers. Although genetics and other habits have a part to play as well, the use of harsh cleansers strip your skin of its natural oils, which can’t be replaced by moisturisers. And as mentioned above, keeping your face moisturised is key in preventing wrinkles.
A cleanser is considered harsh when it makes your face feel squeaky clean and tight after each wash. Even if you have oily skin, a cleanser shouldn’t make your skin feel taut and dry; it is supposed to feel soft, without any feeling of tightness. But like my friend who chooses to stick to her harsh cleansers, just be aware that you might actually be ageing your skin.
HIDE FROM THE SUN
Even if you’re an ardent fan of sunscreen, you should still avoid the sun at all costs. Numerous studies have shown that UV damage is responsible for up to 90 percent of wrinkles.
On top of that, UV damage can also cause hyperpigmentation and other forms of ageing. So if you really need to be outdoors, try an oral sun protector such as Heliocare, so you get full-bodied protection without having to worry about your sunblock melting away.
SLEEP ON YOUR BACK
The American Academy of Dermatology says that sleeping on your sides can cause you to develop “sleep lines”, which are basically wrinkles that develop when you sleep. Although they are mostly temporary, these lines can develop into full-blown wrinkles over time.
STOP PUFFING
Apart from causing serious health consequences, smoking is linked to accelerating wrinkle-formation. This is because smoking produces free radicals that advance skin ageing, and higher levels of metalloproteinases, a group of enzymes associated with wrinkles.
Heliocare Oral, $75, is available at selected pharmacies. For more information, visit www.heliocare.com.sg and follow the brand on Facebook.