The Best Wrinkle Reducers

These changes in the beauty marketplace have resulted in dramatic growth of topical treatments, exercise regimens and surgical procedures designed to reduce wrinkles. As with most conditions, there are various ways to approach the challenge to reduce wrinkles, especially on the face. Botox (botulinum toxin) achieved its fame (and notoriety) because of its ability to relax facial muscles and, thus, smooth the appearance of wrinkled skin. The effects are temporary, however, requiring repeated treatments at no small cost. Manufacturers of beauty products understood immediately the need to expand their research into products that would successfully, and cost-effectively, reduce wrinkles. Tremendous progress has been made in just the last several years.

Natural Ways to Reduce Wrinkles

The hydration principle – adding moisture to the skin – is the mechanism behind many topical treatments devised to reduce wrinkles. Various emollients and moisturizers are added to facial creams in hopes of adding enough bulk moisture to “fill in” wrinkled areas of the skin. The success of this type of treatment will vary from person to person, depending on the amount and depth of wrinkles, skin pH and other factors. Also enjoying rapid growth are various exercise and muscle-toning systems that take a different approach to the underlying problem. Whereas botox treatments relax underlying muscles, facial exercise regimens seek to build up the muscles. The increase in muscle bulk stretches the skin above it to reduce wrinkles.

Plastic Surgery to reduce wrinkles

Finally, of course, there is plastic or cosmetic surgery, which should always be the last resort to reduce wrinkles. Interestingly, the principle at work with most surgeries is the same as in other approaches, which is essentially to stretch the skin. Facial exercise can do this, too, although in a much milder, less dramatic fashion than surgery. The fact is, it may be a combination of approaches, of varying intensities and durations, which helps you to reduce your wrinkles. Surgeries for facial wrinkles actually seem to have peaked several years ago, although data is notoriously difficult to assemble and interpret. It is clear, however, that both men and women are getting positive, life-changing results from non-surgical approaches, and you can be certain that beauty product companies (and “Big Pharma”) are hard at work developing other elixirs and potions for the modern consumers’ version of The Fountain of Youth. In the last analysis, you will have to make up your own mind and decide on your own method to reduce wrinkles. There is a wealth of information on the Internet, and it is recommended that you do some research on the underlying physiology of your face and body, as well as on the basic chemistry of anti-wrinkle moisturizers and other topical formulas. Talk to your physician, of course, before you undertake any new therapies or treatments.

Not many people know that Max Factor, now a household name in cosmetics, was a leading Hollywood make-up artist. What he learned “on the job” he later built into one of the world’s first beauty product empires, and the “technology of beauty” in continuous development by TV and movie make-up artists has driven the development of consumer beauty products for almost a century now. There really are beauty secrets of the stars, although in a world of mass communications (and consumerism) it just isn’t so easy to keep secrets anymore.

Beauty Product Science

Charles Darwin himself observed that all human cultures seem to prize “adornment” and beauty. For ages, people all over the world experimented with dyeing the lips, painting the face and adorning the body. In the modern era, however, advances in our understanding of chemistry, anatomy and physiology have led to products that can adorn and beautify while also being gentle to the skin. Because Hollywood is a place where money, power and beauty intersect, it makes sense that advances in cosmetics would first reach the public consciousness as beauty secrets of the stars before going mainstream. Make no mistake – Hollywood and its conception of beauty do dominate the mainstream, although somewhat less authoritatively than in the past. The fashions, hairstyles and make-up of celebrities still hold an attentive public in thrall, although it is perfectly acceptable today for men and women to choose from a wide variety of styles and style-setters. Some people prefer the beauty secrets of the research chemists to the beauty secrets of the stars, since that’s where the stars are getting theirs from in the first place.

Designer make-up

Concerning make-up and personal grooming, are there really any secrets left? Probably not, except in the pitches and proposals of the ad agencies. With the instant communications and research potential of the Internet, informed consumers can stay on the leading edge of scientific research into skin and hair care, personal health, beauty products and “better living through chemistry.” Perhaps the most accurate assessment of the situation today is that the beauty secrets of the stars are not really secrets, but more like puzzles. Everyone’s self-conception is different. Beauty truly is in the eye of the beholder. What works for one person may not work for another. All of these observations merely add up to the usual advice: Put together your own beauty regimen, using the so-called beauty secrets of the stars as well as any other good information you discovered that is pertinent to your particular situation. You do not need to accept anything on faith, either, as there is plenty of solid research available on the effectiveness of various approaches. You may decide upon a combination of dietary changes and exercises to augment your new make-up style. Or you may get great results from one particular skin care product or other, or some combination of products. Use your head, take your time and make up your mind based on facts and personal experience. If you end up using products or practices that someone calls beauty secrets of the stars (or even particular stars), so be it, but you certainly should not make that decision based on what some celebrity does or doesn’t do. Do your homework and make your own decision. Who knows? Maybe one day that supermarket tabloid will come ask you what your beauty secrets are.

The dreaded sunburn comes from overexposure to the sun’s damaging ultraviolet (UV) rays. The uncomfortable symptoms of sunburn can include redness, pain and even blisters. If you become one of the millions of people who will fall victim to this stinging problem, there are various remedies you can use that will help soothe the pain.

If you plan on spending your day under the blazing rays of the sun, make sure to have an Aloe Very plant handy. Use the natural sap that is inside the leaf and spread it over the effected area. The gel contained inside the plant helps soothe the burn and moisturizes and protects the skin. A nice cool bath is also helpful in alleviating the painful effects of sunburn. If you do try this one, make sure not to use soap because it inhibits the skin’s naturally occurring oils, which will help heal your skin. If your burn begins to peel, whatever you do, don’t scratch. I know this is a tough one; I used to love to scratch and peel away the remnants of a burn, but doing this can cause further damage and irritation to the effected area. If the itching becomes too much for you, Calamine lotion works well, as it helps stop that nagging, itchy feeling. And of course, always, always use a good SPF lotion whenever you are outdoors. Even when the sun isn’t out, the UV rays are beating down on you and drying out your skin. These UV rays will even cut through the clouds on an overcast day, so it is vital that you always have some type of sun protection on. A good rule of thumb is to get an SPF of no less than 15, and for those of you with fair skin, a higher SPF is required.

Fun in the sun doesn’t have to mean pay for play. By being careful, smart and educated, you can help soothe the sting of those burning rays!

Regardless of other health issues, you are now getting to an age where you are concerned about wrinkles, lines on your face and crows feet near your eyes, among other skin-related conditions. Your skin is not as elastic as it was. The inner layers begin to thin a bit, and fat cells that keep your skin smooth and resilient start deteriorating and disappearing. Anti-wrinkle face creams are formulated to counter these effects.

Other causes of skin aging

You may even notice that cuts and abrasions take longer to heal, since the skin’s self-repair abilities wear down, too. Of course, environmental factors cause your skin to wrinkle and age, too. The more you know about preventing skin damage as you age, the less you will have to rely on anti-wrinkle face creams or other antidotes and treatments.

Collagen, essential to skin health, is broken down by exposure to sunlight. The ultraviolet (UV) spectrum of light, specifically, causes the release of “free radicals,” which damage tissues. Too many hours getting a tan at the beach as a youngster might come back to haunt you.

Interestingly, smoking tobacco is bad for the skin, as well, particularly for women. It reduces the estrogen level in women, which in turn can causes the skin to be dry and shed deteriorated cells. As a “vasoconstrictor,” smoking also limits blood circulation to the skin, diminishing the skin’s natural resistance to the damaging free radicals. Smoke less and you will possibly reduce your later dependence on anti-wrinkle face creams or other topical treatments.

Finally, nutritional factors, unhealthy weight loss and even heredity play important roles in the development of wrinkles. Fortunately, the amazing medical advances that have characterized the last 100+ years include some powerful treatments for aging skin. Anti-wrinkle face creams are among the best of these.

Moisture, lots of it

Skin dries out and fine lines develop due to a lack of moisture. It is essential to moisturize daily, even before the appearance of wrinkles, to delay signs of aging. It is natural to develop more wrinkles as you age, but it is definitely possible to slow this process and reduce the damage by taking good care of your skin your entire life, instead of waiting until you need anti-wrinkle face creams.

There are various proven, effective treatments for aging skin, such as argireline, the so-called “safe alternative” to Botox. It is said to reduce facial tension with safe, natural ingredients and is available without a prescription. It relaxes facial muscles, and may help slow the natural loss of your skin’s collagen and elastin, making it a main ingredient of effective anti-wrinkle face creams.

Collagen preparations, squalene, argireline compounds and a variety of other moisturizers and emollients are used in anti-wrinkle face creams from numerous manufacturers. Not every product is appropriate for every person, and at some point in your own “campaign against aging” you should certainly consult your doctor and/or a dermatologist.

An ounce of prevention, as the saying goes, is worth a pound of cure. Do the right things as a lifetime practice and your skin will not need to rely on anti-wrinkle face creams or other curative preparations as you get older. Wear sunscreen, moisturize your skin regularly, consider an exfoliant to remove dead skin cells and leverage every advantage of the modern pharmacopeia in your battle against wrinkles. You have a lot of powerful allies today!

Crow’s feet are usually among the first wrinkles to become visible. Years of facial muscle movements – everything from laughing and crying to squinting – and the natural effects of the environment create these dreaded facial wrinkle lines. For various reasons, from sun and wind to the gradual effects of aging, our skin begins to lose its elasticity. Collagen, which imbues skin with its resilience and “stretchability,” breaks down and gradually loses its effectiveness.

It is important to remember that both environmental and behavioral factors can help or hinder the skin’s retention of collagen, so getting rid of crow’s feet may require some lifestyle changes. The sun’s ultraviolet light causes the breakdown of collagen, while smoking has been shown to accelerate the aging process of skin, too. Therefore, two of the most common causes of crow’s feet, smoking and exposure to the sun, can be reduced or eliminated with behavioral changes.

Topical skin care product treatments to the skin can augment the skin’s own healing properties, so using a lotion or cream that contains glycolic acid will help the skin to shed old skin cells. As old cells are removed, new ones are then able to take their place. Your success in getting rid of crow’s feet is at least partly dependent on your understanding the condition, and learning how the treatments work.

Curative injections

There are various injectable treatments recommended for getting rid of crow’s feet. One method, popularized by celebrities, is botulinum toxin injections, often called Botox (although that is a trademarked name and not a generic term). Injections of this substance temporarily relax the muscles around the eyes, keeping the skin from wrinkling. Of course, a few months down the line more Botox injections will be necessary to “unwrinkle” the skin once again.

Collagen is also injected into the skin to replace what is lost through normal aging and restore a degree of elasticity to the skin. The collagen used for this purpose is a purified bovine extraction, meaning it comes from cows. Like Botox, these injections result in only temporary improvement, and for several days after the procedure the patient’s face will swell up because of the collagen deposited under the skin. Getting rid of crow’s feet does involve some discomfort, although it is usually minor.

Better living through chemistry

Crow’s feet are also removed or minimized with a “chemical peel,” where a moderately acidic substance is applied to the face to “burn off” the top layer of skin. This encourages newer, more elastic skin to form in its place. The most common chemicals used for getting rid of crow’s feet are phenol, trichloracetic acid (TCA) and alpha hydroxy acids (AHA’s).

Alpha hydroxy acids (usually fruit acids and glycolic acids) are most commonly used in the gentler treatments. Chemical peels done with AHA’s may produce somewhat “brighter colored” skin and aid in making the skin smoother, particularly when one is getting rid of fine-lined crow’s feet. More thorough chemical peels are accomplished with trichloracetic acid, but as with glycolic acids multiple applications may be required for the desired result.

Phenol is the strongest chemical peel for getting rid of deep crow’s feet. Great care must be exercised as phenol can permanently alter the pigment of the skin. Following a phenol peel it is necessary to shield the skin from the sun to prevent additional damage.

Abrasion methods and lasers

There are still other methods for getting rid of crow’s feet. Common “abrasive” treatments – microdermabrasion, dermabrasion and lasers – remove the top layer of skin through their own specific techniques.

In microdermabrasion, aluminum oxide or similar chemicals are blown across the skin surface to “exfoliate” it (remove old cells) while the standard dermabrasion technique “scrapes” off the old cells with what amounts to a wire brush. Laser resurfacing, as the name indicates, uses a medical laser to burn away the skin’s top layer. Each of these treatments will allow new, undamaged skin cells to grow and “resurface” the treated areas.

This sort of “peptide communication” within the skin is diminished with age. This results in reduced collagen production as well as the buildup of damaged elastin fibers. However, using no harmful chemicals and no surgery, you can reduce the appearance of wrinkles with a muscle-relaxing effect similar to Botox injections. Acetyl hexapeptide 3 is the active ingredient in a variety of preparations, although a Spanish firm, Lipotec, manufactures and sells the compound (known by its trade name, Argireline).

Claims made for Argireline do not necessarily translate to every product containing the substance, or for the active ingredient itself, since Lipotec cannot guarantee the potency or formulation for every use of its compound. Still, Lipotec claims that acetyl hexapeptide 3 as it is formulated in Argireline constitutes “a unique mechanism which relaxes facial tension leading to a reduction in superficial facial lines and wrinkles with regular use.”
Truth and consequences

Argireline has been touted as reducing the release of excessive amounts of catecholamines release, but this particular claim about the effects of topical used is based only on information from one company. No published research substantiates any effect following the use of Argireline topically on skin, but studies continue.

The Truth About Acetyl Hexapeptide 3

Catecholamines are compounds in the body that act as neurotransmitters (adrenaline, epinephrine, dopamine) and help ready the body for such health “emergencies” as shock and fatigue. Some symptoms of Parkinson’s disease may be attributable to low levels of dopamine in the brain. It is probably not a good idea to use cosmetics with acetyl hexapeptide 3 that may inhibit dopamine production.

Some critics contend that if acetyl hexapeptide-3 really did relax facial muscles, the effect would not be localized but spread across the entire face, if you are using the product as directed. Sagging, not youthful, skin would be the result. In fact, notwithstanding all the fear about Botox that is promulgated by companies making “Botox-like” products, there is decidedly more data on efficacy and safety available for Botox than for acetyl hexapeptide 3.

Your own natural skin care Formula

Of course, Botox is not applied topically, but is injected. Therefore, it is still too early to adjudge acetyl hexapeptide 3 as being ineffective or inadequate for the stated purpose. Inasmuch as any skincare regimen involves a variety of actions, nutritional changes and lifestyle choices, any single part of the formula cannot be isolated as the “one thing” that will do the job. The job in this case, of course, is the elimination of wrinkles.

Despite the lack of conclusive data about acetyl hexapeptide 3 and its effectiveness as an ingredient in anti-wrinkle creams and other preparations, it can still have a place in your “skincare arsenal.” With proper attention paid to preventative care and overall health, you can develop a program that balances prevention, treatment and healing.

Always get the most up-to-date information you can, and read both clinical test results as well as anecdotal evidence (individual results). Do your homework, get good data, read widely on the associated subjects and then stick to your plan. Make adjustments to your personal formula when you encounter new and different information, and stay disciplined. That’s the best you can do!

It is a natural human desire to want to live as long as possible. The desire to prolong one’s life was common long before the advent of American consumerism, although the explosion of mass communications over the last 100 years has resulted in the proliferation of life-extending products, services and technologies. Today, anti-aging products are a mainstay of the self-help, nutritional and alternative health industries, as well as a huge area of research for pharmaceutical firms.

The most important phrase for consumers to remember, whatever products or services they are thinking of buying, is “caveat emptor,” or buyer beware. It is not enough to expect the government – through the FCC, FTC or FDA – to keep spurious anti-aging products off television and out of the magazines. People have to use their own critical faculties to judge for themselves.

Snake oil salesmen

What could be more valuable than life itself? Nothing, of course, which is why the anti-aging products industry has always had more than its share of snake oil salesmen, cranks and frauds. With the completely freeform and unregulated communications of the Internet, it is more important than ever for consumers to do their homework and use their critical thinking skills to separate the little bit of fact from the large deposits of fiction.

Anti-aging skin care products fall into a number of categories, of course. There are the generally unremarkable and usually uncontroversial exercise regimens. Clearly, a person with better muscle tone and cardiovascular health will outlive a severely overweight person, all other factors being equal. Nutritional plans abound for life extension, as well, and unless they venture into the obsessive or bizarre, sensible diets are pretty basic stuff.

Supplements and mega-therapies

Linus Pauling, a Nobel laureate in chemistry, was an early proponent of megadoses of vitamin C as a general life-extender. Although subsequent research did not confirm the more astonishing claims for the vitamin, we now know the important role that vitamins, minerals and other trace substances have in maintaining health – even if it is inaccurate to call them anti-aging products.

It is becoming clearer all the time that a balanced approach to nutrition, exercise and health care is probably the most likely route to longer lives for all human beings. Anti-aging products have a definite place at the table, but as components of an overall “life plan,” not as special “magic” pills or potions.

The road ahead

There is much research being done on cells, specifically on ways of delaying their decay. The problem, in the context of anti-aging products being marketed to the public, is that consumers are not well educated in science and can be misled by “junk science.” Suffice it to say that any “amazing, miracle breakthroughs” in cell therapy or any other life-extension method will be announced by the leading medical and scientific journals, not by a 30-minute sponsored program on a cable channel. This particular “caveat emptor” should be taken most seriously.

The road from the science lab to the marketplace is shorter than it used to be, and new discoveries in medicine, chemistry and health make their way into consumer anti-aging products much more swiftly these days. Rather than wait for the “ultimate breakthrough,” though, you would be well advised to do your best in each of the health-related areas of your life – improving your nutrition, exercising regularly, treating any conditions quickly and effectively, staying informed and being candid with your doctor. There may be no secret potion yet, but the average life expectancy for Americans went from the low 40s in 1900 to the mid-70s in 2000. Obviously, we’re doing something right!

While it’s true that different ingredients target different problems, it’s important to know exactly what you need and why, if you want to reach your full youth enhancing potential. With so many people being concerned with natural skin care, nowadays, consumers are looking for ways to achieve anti-aging results without going under the knife, which is why it is vital to get the facts. There are some amazing skin care products out there, and the trick is to know what to look for. The anti-aging skin care industry has made huge strides, in recent years, and there are ingredients that can make a marked improvement in the tone, texture and elasticity of our skin.

One such ingredient is Hyaluronic Acid (Hyaluronan). In fact, it is so powerful that it has been nicknamed by the press as “key to the fountain of youth.” Hyaluronic Acid cushions and lubricates skin tissue, and moisturizes skin from the inside. By moisturizing from the inside out, Hyaluronic Acid helps to smooth wrinkles by hydrating the skin, and that is just one of its many benefits. Because this ingredient is used topically, it is safer and less expensive than surgery, and much more in line with more natural skin care products. The youth enhancing effects also include increased production of collagen, which not only reduces wrinkles and improves skin elasticity, but also may help repair sun-damaged skin, which is a major bonus in the area of anti-aging skin care. Normally, the most one can hope for is to prevent the ravages of time.

As far as anti-aging and anti-wrinkle defense go, Hyaluronic Acid is especially recommended for men and women starting in their 30’s in order to help minimize the first signs of aging. While this ingredient may help repair damage, it is even more potent when used before the effects of aging show up on our face. Another youth enhancing effect is the volume it adds to the face, which helps to give it a healthy, youthful appearance. In fact, in an article by Caitlin Castro for Woman’s World, it is stated that “using hyaluronic acid boosts collagen production almost three-fold, resulting in firmer, smoother more youthful-looking skin,” and that “it erases fine lines, wrinkles and even crow’s feet within months.”

There are a lot of skin care products on the market, ranging from anti-aging skin care to natural skin care. Unfortunately, most people are unaware of what they really need. Is a product claiming to be anti-aging good enough? Or, do I specifically need an anti-wrinkle cream? With Hyaluronic Acid, you can be sure that you are getting an all around product that, among other things, penetrates to the deep layers of the skin, which provides collagen support to fill and tone the areas of application.

I spend so much time trying to cover up my imperfections with cosmetics that I sometimes forget to treat my underlying problems. Once I started to see those tell tale signs of aging, my first instinct was to rush right over to my dermatologist’s office for a few shots of youth in a needle … botox. But, I found out it isn’t always for everybody, and there are amazing skin care products on the market that may work as well.

Botox is a form of food poisoning called botulism. Now, there isn’t enough to hurt you, if you’re using it for cosmetic purposes, but it can include side effects like flu-like symptoms, headache and upset stomach. Not to mention the cost, which can run you several hundred dollars per treatment. With the effects of botox lasting only three to four months, it can get pretty pricey by the end of the year. But, with more and more skin care products including ingredients like hyaluronic acid, you may be able to find your miracle in a jar.

Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring componant in the body and recently, it has gained a lot of praise and attention from the cosmetic industry. Skin care products containing this natural ingredient, help to remove wrinkles, restore youth and hydrate the skin. it can be used topically with other skin care products or taken orally in pill form. It can even be injected directly into the skin. All of these applications have shown to work wonders. So, now that you know about the cosmetic help you can get in your skin care products, would you rather stick a needle full of poison into your face or smooth a soothing lotion on it? The choice is up to you.

First and foremost, don’t smoke! Not only does cigarette smoke increase the risk of creating fine lines and wrinkles, it also depletes the body of vitamin C, which is vital in keeping skin soft and supple. Than there is the sun, which not only dries out the skin, but also, creates freckles. Freckles may be cute on the younger set, but in time they can turn into those ugly brown age spots. If it’s tighter, firmer skin you’re looking for, exercise is key. Exercise helps tighten muscles underneath the skin, giving it that all-important anti-aging lift. Inclement weather can also contribute to premature aging of the skin. This is where a good moisturizer comes in; this goes for warm climates as well as cold. Warm weather can sometimes dry out the skin as much as cold weather can.

But don’t stop there! It is also important to ensure you get the proper amount of sleep. Lack of sleep not only affects the face, it also zaps the body’s energy, which can interfere with that youthful spring in your step. And finally, remember alcohol should always be used in moderation, as too much will restrict your blood vessels, causing that veiny look most of us connect with old age.

Anti-wrinkle creams, anti-aging skin care and diet and exercise, sometimes it can seem as if our youth enhancing efforts never end. That being said, it is all worth it when you see the beautiful results. Besides, nobody said beauty was easy!