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Improve the health of your skin to age more gracefully.
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They respect anyone who wants to get Botox (or other injectable means like Juvederm), but they haven’t gotten there yet. Maybe you’ll never be there because you can’t understand the needles or the price that makes these wrinkle-reducing options out of your budget. After all, botulinum toxin injections cost an average of $ 466, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS).
RELATED: The New Botox Guide: Which Type is Right For You?
Fortunately, there are other things you can do for your skin to minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Here are six to consider:
Use sunscreen, the Holy Grail anti-aging product
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Believe it or not, but you need to use sunscreen every day, whether it’s sunny or stormy. “Sunscreen is the most important anti-aging product you can use. Ninety percent of our skin aging comes from the sun, ” says Robert Anolik, MD, a dermatologist at the New York Laser and Skin Surgery Center and an assistant professor of dermatology at the New York University School of Medicine in New York City.
And although prevention is the best strategy when it comes to reducing fine lines and wrinkles, the daily sun protection factor does a little more. After applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 daily for over a year, before and after photos of the participants’ complexion showed that the skin structure, clarity and hyperpigmentation improved by up to 52 percent, according to a study.
RELATED: 6 Steps to Choosing a Safe and Clean Sunscreen
7 Simple Homemade Tricks for Healthy Skin
Try retinoids, the ultimate superheroes that plump and tone the skin
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If you buy one of the available products, turn it into a retinoid. “A daily sunscreen and a nighttime retinoid can actually prevent the need for injections,” says Lauren Ploch, MD, a dermatologist in Aiken, South Carolina.
Retinoids are vitamin A derivatives that can strengthen collagen, the protein that forms the supporting structure of the skin, according to a research paper. This protein can reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. “They also increase the number of collagen-producing cells (so-called fibroblasts) in our skin, keeping it smooth and firm,” says Dr. Ploch.
Research has shown that it can take several weeks to notice an improvement after starting to take a topical retinoid.
There is also a possibility that retinoids irritate the skin. In this case, Dr. Anolik suggests using it every other night and moisturizing after that.
And if you’re pregnant, take a break from your retinoid; this skincare product has been linked to birth defects in some research, although more studies are needed.
Arrange a laser treatment in the office – a needle-free way to age your skin
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You want to go beyond the current one, but you don’t want to get a needle. Ask your dermatologist if one of the many lasers available is suitable for the needs of your skin. “Rejuvenation lasers do many things, including reducing brown spots and blood vessels, remodeling collagen, and increasing collagen production,” says Anolik.
While yesterday’s lasers made the skin angry and reddened, now they are more sophisticated and can easily reappear and cause minimal skin injuries, he says. Lasers that she likes to use to reduce the signs of skin aging such as fine lines and wrinkles include PicoSure and Clear + Brilliant. “We can choose between these for patients. Everyone has their advantages and I often alternate different strategies during different visits, “says Anolik.
That is, know that these treatments can be expensive. According to ASPS, laser skin resurfacing treatments cost between $1,449 and $2,509 on average. Even so, you can do things that injections can’t do, such as attacking discoloration. Talk to your doctor about your goals and whether you might be a good candidate for one of the many lasers on the market.
RELATED: What you should know before undergoing laser treatment
Ask your dermatologist about microneedles that can fade scars and smooth wrinkles.
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One of the main trends in skin care is the microneedle. “Microneedling is a less invasive procedure that can be used to treat wrinkles and scars,” says Ploch. It may also be ideal for people with dark skin types, as it is less likely to cause hyperpigmentation than laser and light-based devices, a study has found.
The roller-like device is equipped with microfine needles on the outside. Then it is rolled over the skin, and the needles penetrate into its outermost layers. These stitches trigger the skin’s healing process and increase collagen production, as another study found.
People who use it say that it is painless, and you can even buy these skin rollers to use at home, as in Dermstore.com although the results will not be as noticeable as those that you would see in a dermatologist’s office. This procedure can cost anywhere from $100 to $700, says Manish Shah, MD, a plastic surgeon in Denver.
Use dietary supplements that can help fight wrinkles.
Along with sun protection and dermatological procedures, there are some skin supplements that have research-backed benefits. For example, in one study, people taking collagen peptides benefited from a reduction in wrinkles in the eye area after four weeks compared to placebo. After eight weeks, her skin had developed an increased amount of collagen and elastin.
That is, there is not much research on collagen supplements in humans. Further studies are needed before they are recommended.
RELATED: 6 Supplements for Radiant Skin and Beautiful Hair
Following a healthy diet and lifestyle, two essentials for good skin
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When it comes to smart skin care habits, there is no substitute for a healthy diet and lifestyle. In the struggle to keep fine lines and wrinkles at bay, your daily habits are important. Smoking, inactivity and a diet rich in sugary foods were associated with an increase in markers of advanced glycation end products (AGES), according to the study. Older AGE is associated with old age and is a factor in skin aging and collagen breakdown, according to a research report. So make sure you continue to exercise regularly, eat a balanced diet, and avoid smoking or stop smoking if you smoke.
Another study showed that eating fruits, yellow vegetables (these contain powerful antioxidants called carotenoids) and soy, in addition to avoiding red meat, led to women having fewer wrinkles over time. And staying active can help lower the risk of obesity and diabetes, as well as reduce stress, all factors that can help keep aging at bay.
Another upcoming task: to get enough and high-quality sleep. According to the study, this would mean seven to nine hours of sleep per night for adults. In a study of 60 healthy women, those who were characterized by “good sleep” had less skin aging and their skin was able to recover better after sun exposure. They also thought that they looked younger. And who can disagree with this?
