Aging is inevitable, but that doesn’t mean you can’t take action. Wrinkles develop for a number of reasons, some of which you can control, some of which you can’t. While you probably already know that avoiding sun exposure and protecting your skin with sunscreen are among the ways to reduce wrinkles, you might not know a few of the other things you can do to slow down the aging of your skin.

If you already have a few lines or wrinkles, all is not lost, either. You can turn back the clock with a few minimally invasive treatments.

Check Your Glasses

Some lines, such as crow’s feet, develop after years of making the same muscle movement. Those crinkly lines might form at the corners of your eyes after years of laughter and smiling, or after years of squinting. While it’s the rare person who wants to give up smiling, many people are perfectly content to do without squinting.

If you squint fairly often, there are a few ways to deal with and to reduce the chance of those crow’s feet becoming more and more etched in your skin. You might squint because the sun is very bright when you’re outdoors or because of glare from the sun. The best way to handle that type of squinting is to put on some sunglasses with full UV protection. The glasses will not only diminish the brightness, they’ll also shield your eyes and the area around your eyes from the damaging UV rays.

You might squint in an effort to see better. If roadsigns or other pieces of text look blurry from a distance, squinting won’t help you see them better. If the text of the book you’re reading is blurry up close, squinting won’t make it clearer. Even if you’ve never worn glasses, once things start to get a little unclear, it’s worth it to make an appointment for an eye exam. Getting a prescription for lenses will not only help you see better, it might help you avoid crow’s feet.

Rethink Your Sleeping Habits

How and how much you sleep play a part when it comes to the formation of wrinkles. If you’re not getting enough sleep each night, meaning at least seven hours, your skin doesn’t have the chance to repair itself, and you’re more likely to produce higher levels of the stress hormone cortisol, which can make wrinkles worse.

When it comes to how you sleep, on your back is often the way to go. Sleeping on your side or stomach puts pressure on your face if it’s pressed against the pillow. Over time, the pressure can cause lines to become etched into your skin. If you’ve ever woken up with pillow lines on one side of your face or on your forehead, imagine having those lines become a regular part of your appearance.

Take a Look at Your Skincare

Some skincare products are better at fighting the signs of aging than others. Ingredients to keep an eye out for include retinols, which are derivatives of vitamin A known for their ability to help fight wrinkles. Retinols encourage cell turnover and the production of collagen. Other ingredients worth seeking out include peptides, vitamin C and alpha hydroxy acids. If you’re unsure which products to use or which ingredients will work best for you, it’s a good idea to speak with a facial plastic surgeon. It’s possible to go overboard and use too many products on your skin, leading to irritation or sensitivity.

Smooth Things Over With a Peel

Have you noticed a few wrinkles already? One way to press reset on your skin is to have a professional chemical peel. Available in a variety of strengths for a variety of skin issues, peels help smooth the skin, reducing the appearance of wrinkles, as well as hyperpigmentation and some scar tissue. Peels are made up of at least one type of acid, which exfoliates the skin. Seeing a professional is a must for most peels, as they can cause harm when applied by the wrong hands.

Don’t Fear the Needle

Another way to cope with wrinkles you already have is with an injection, such as a dermal filler or Botox. Injectables treat wrinkles in one of two ways. Fillers, such as Juvederm, add volume to the face, so that wrinkles and lines are smoothed out and filled in. A Botox injection works on wrinkles created by muscle movements, such as crow’s feet or the frown lines between the eyebrows. The active ingredient in Botox keeps the nerves from sending signals to specific muscles, reducing movement, and making wrinkles fade for up to three months.

If you’re unsure how to handle wrinkles you already have or want more advice of keeping additional wrinkles away, Dr. Kyle Choe, a facial plastic surgeon in Virginia Beach, can help. To learn more about your options when it comes to chemical peels or injectables call 757.389.5850 for a consultation today.