It comes a time in the life of a woman that wrinkles begin to show and the need to do something about them becomes imperative. However, when one visits a drugstore or even does research about the topic online it can be extremely confusing and exhausting. There are countless creams, serums, lotions etc. to take care of the effects of aging on the skin and also to prevent further deterioration.
At the most basic level, there are two types of anti-wrinkle creams. Those sold over-the-counter do not require a medical doctor's prescription and vary in price from just a few U.S. dollars to a couple of hundred. Because these are not considered drugs, they are not necessarily backed by rigorous scientific research to support the purported effects on the skin. Other creams are sold with a prescription from a medical doctor, and are generally made available for specific skin conditions as recommended by a dermatologist.
In reality, anti-wrinkle creams are very effective in helping your skin look healthy and slow down the appearance of aging, but they can not fully reverse the passing of time. Some are more effective than others and will depend on the ingredients and your skin's needs. Most popular components include:
Retinol- this vitamin A component helps neutralize free radicals that may cause wrinkles.
Tea Extracts- they contain anti-oxidants and can reduce inflammation
Hydroxy acids- they help the body shed older layers of skin to reveal newer and younger layers
Vitamin C- an antioxidant that will help protect the skin from the sun's damage
When considering the purchase of an over-the-counter anti-wrinkle cream you may want to keep in mind the following. The cost of a cream does not directly correlate with its effectiveness. Just because it is in the most expensive shelf does not mean it will make your wrinkles disappear overnight. Next, because there is less scientific research surrounding these creams there is little if no evidence of one ingredient being better than the other. Nor is there evidence that the combination of ingredients is more effective than a single source.
In addition to using an anti-wrinkle cream, the user should make sure that the regimen is consistent, with applications at least daily. They should also protect the skin from the sun by using appropriate sun-blocker with UV protection. Smoking and other lifestyle habits may also have an adverse effect on your skin and speed up the presence of wrinkles and age spots.
If you are feeling uncomfortable with your skin's appearance, you can always visit a board certified dermatologist that can recommend other alternatives such as Botox, facelifts or chemical peels.
The key to preventing wrinkles on your skin is to pay close attention to your environment and take appropriate precautions well before the skin becomes wrinkled. If you are already detecting the impact of age and lifestyle choices, anti-wrinkle creams will surely help keep the skin looking youthful and healthy. Make sure to check the shelf life of your selected cream and cease its use upon expiration.
