From fine lines to deep folds, every wrinkle on our skin tells a story. And while years well-lived deserve to be celebrated, not everyone wants to see these visible signs of aging. With today’s advanced skincare practices and strategies, we have more tools than ever to help prevent and treat them effectively.
Wrinkles form as a natural part of the aging process, the result of a combination of both intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Genetics and time contribute to our appearance, as do our lifestyle choices and how we take care of our skin.
One of the largest contributors to how our skin changes as we age, however, is that our skin naturally produces less collagen and elastin, two key proteins that keep the skin firm and elastic. People generally start to lose collagen and elastin in their mid-20s at a rate of one to 1.5 percent per year; this eventually leads to skin laxity and creasing.
3 Types of Wrinkles, Explained
Skin wrinkles fall into a few distinct categories, including fine lines, dynamic wrinkles, and deep wrinkles. Each has unique causes and treatment strategies.
1. Fine lines
Fine lines are the earliest, shallow creases appearing in areas under the eyes, across the forehead, or around the mouth. Collagen loss, dehydration, and repetitive facial movements can cause more of these to appear or make existing ones more prominent. These usually start on smooth skin and become static over time. They are the lines that are most treatable or reversible.
2. Dynamic wrinkles
Dynamic wrinkles, also known as expression lines, include crow’s feet, frown lines, nasolabial folds (smiles lines or laugh lines), and forehead lines. These appear when we use muscle movement to frown, squint, or smile. Over time, these dynamic wrinkles become static, meaning they remain in the skin even at rest.
3. Deep wrinkles
Deep wrinkles are static wrinkles that are often accentuated by genetic factors, chronic sun exposure, smoking, or lifestyle factors such as poor diet, chronic stress, poor sleep quality, excess alcohol, and lack of regular exercise.
Collagen in the skin provides tensile strength, while elastin gives the skin its ability to return to shape after movement. With age and lifestyle factors, fibroblasts in the skin produce less collagen and elastin, and the quality of these fibers declines, leading to folds in skin that do not recover at rest.
Over time, fine lines and dynamic wrinkles can become deeper to create deep wrinkles. In some cases, heavy tissue can fold over on itself, such as in the nasolabial fold or pre-jowl area, and lead to deep wrinkles at the fold line.
9 Tips for Addressing and Preventing Wrinkles
Wrinkles typically begin to appear when people are in their late 20s to early 30s, though this can vary widely depending on genetics, lifestyle choices, and skin type. I always remind patients that collagen production naturally begins to decline in our mid-20s, but I also look closely at how their individual lifestyle factors may be affecting their skin health.
While we can’t change our genetics or the reality of aging, adopting healthy habits and starting preventive treatments early have the power to significantly slow the aging process and preserve youthful skin for longer. Having a consistent, high-quality skincare routine and using regular sun protection can also help delay signs of aging.
It is never too late to incorporate skincare into your routine, even if you did not practice those healthy habits and that preventive care in your teens or 20s. You can still work to prevent and reverse aging into your 30s, 40s, and beyond with the following actions.
1. Use SPF daily.
Using a daily broad-spectrum sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher is your absolute first line of defense against UV damage, including collagen breakdown from UV exposure as well as protection from skin cancer.
Ultraviolet rays break down collagen and elastin fibers, leading to premature sagging and deep creases. UV damage can occur even on cloudy days, in the middle of winter, or during incidental sun exposure (like when driving in your car). Applying SPF every day is a simple, powerful, and effective skincare habit to establish. (Learn more: “What’s the Difference Between Chemical and Mineral Sunscreens?”)
2. Focus on hydration.
Hydration, both inside and out, is key to keeping skin plump and resilient. When your skin is well hydrated, it’s able to maintain its healthy barrier and is better able to repair itself. It also typically appears plumper, which helps soften the look of fine lines and can prevent new ones from forming. (Learn more: “Why Hydration Is Essential for Healthy Skin.”)
3. Add omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants to your diet.
A diet rich in healthy omega fatty acids and antioxidants can support skin health and repair from within. Omega-3 fatty acids can reduce inflammation, helping to calm redness and reduce acne and sensitivity. They can also support cell membrane integrity as well as help with moisture retention. The best sources of omega-3s are fatty fish such as salmon or mackerel, shellfish, and fish oil supplements. (Learn more: “11 Vital Nutrients for Skin Health.”)
4. Avoid smoking and limit alcohol.
Smoking, among its wide range of negative health effects, reduces blood flow and depletes the skin of oxygen and nutrients; this can lead to fine lines and faster-forming deep wrinkles.
Alcohol acts as a diuretic, which can dehydrate the skin and also deplete essential vitamins such as A and C, both of which are crucial for collagen production and skin repair.
Avoiding smoking and alcohol are two of the most powerful lifestyle choices for preserving skin health and preventing wrinkles. Eschewing them allows for adequate blood flow, supports good oxygenation of the tissues, and improves nutrient delivery. Along with reducing free radical damage to collagen and elastin fibers, minimizing or passing on these two factors can promote healthier skin and reduce signs of aging, including wrinkles.
5. Manage stress and get high quality sleep.
When you experience chronic stress, your body produces higher levels of cortisol, which is known to accelerate degradation of collagen and elastin; both help to keep skin youthful and free from wrinkles for longer.
Fatigue from stress reduces your skin’s ability to heal and renew itself. Additionally, chronic stress can increase free radical activity, which damages cells and speeds up the aging process.
During sleep, your body increases growth hormone production, which stimulates cellular repair and collagen synthesis. Poor sleep raises cortisol levels, which we know has an effect on the breakdown of collagen and elastin fibers. Good sleep, on the other hand, boosts melatonin production, a natural antioxidant that protects skin from free radical damage.
Finally, adequate rest boosts blood flow, oxygen, and nutrient delivery to the tissues.
6. Maintain a quality, consistent skincare routine.
A skincare regimen is an important tool for preventing and minimizing wrinkles. I frequently tell my patients that what you do every day at home sets the foundation for long-term skin health, including how well any potential in-office treatments perform. A high-quality routine can be simple but at minimum you want to include cleansing, moisturizing, and sun protection.
Beyond that, using serums and treatments that contain high-performing active ingredients such as retinoids, vitamin C, peptides, and hyaluronic acid can help maintain moisture, stimulate collagen, and improve skin texture as well as protect the skin from signs of aging — all of which can keep fine lines at bay. They are preventive, addressing both fine lines and all types of wrinkles as well as other signs of aging.
Wrinkle patches like Frownies or scar tape can also help temporarily reduce the appearance of fine lines by holding the skin taut and preventing muscle movement overnight. It’s important to note that these products only offer short-term smoothing or training of facial muscles; they don’t stimulate collagen or address deeper causes of aging. They may be useful as a supportive tool, but they are not a replacement for clinical treatments or evidence-based skincare.
7. Prioritize physical activity.
Physical activity improves circulation and oxygen delivery to the skin, which nourishes fibroblasts. It helps reduce stress effects, including the impact that cortisol can have because of chronic stress.
Regular exercise boosts collagen production via the release of growth factors that promote tissue repair and collagen synthesis. What’s more, staying active improves sleep quality, which supports the skin’s nightly repair cycle.
8. Use topical treatments: retinol, peptides, and vitamin C.
Retinol (or the natural alternative bakuchiol), peptides, and vitamin C topical treatment products are the most impactful in the prevention and treatment of wrinkles. These topical treatments work gradually by improving skin texture, boosting collagen production, and promoting cell turnover.
Over time they can help to soften lines, brighten skin tone, and enhance overall skin health. However, their effects are limited to the surface layers of the skin and take weeks to months to show noticeable changes. (Learn more: “3 Skincare Ingredients, Explained.”)
9. Consider medi-spa treatments.
For those looking for an extra proactive solution to prevent and/or address wrinkles, medi-spa treatments tailored to your individual needs can help you get more immediate results. The most effective plan will be customized for you by a licensed medi-spa aesthetician and may combine different modalities — along with a solid at-home skin-care routine — to support long-term skin health and rejuvenation. Meet with a professional to discuss your goals and come up with a plan that works best for you.
Your options may include the following:
BOTOX® or Dysport® in your late 20s or early 30s can soften muscle movement and subsequent dynamic lines before they have a chance to set in. These treatments are ideal for treating dynamic wrinkles caused by facial expression.
Dermal fillers can be helpful for static lines and deeper creases that are visible when your face is at rest. This can help restore lost volume and smooth the skin.
Microneedling and biostimulators such as Sculptra® can stimulate collagen remodeling and improve texture and skin firmness.
Chemical peels and laser treatments can help resurface the skin to reduce fine lines and sun damage.
A Skincare Routine for Wrinkle Prevention
An antiaging skincare routine does not need to be complicated. The best results come from consistent, sustainable daily care along with support from professional treatments as appropriate — all tailored to your skin’s unique needs.
Morning: Protect and Hydrate
Step 1: Cleanse: Use a gentle, non-stripping cleanser to remove overnight oils.
- For oily skin, opt for a foaming or gel cleanser.
- For dry or sensitive skin, opt for a cream or hydrating cleanser.
Step 2: Treat: Use vitamin C serum to help brighten skin and protect against damage.
Step 3: Moisturize: Layer on a moisturizer to lock in hydration and reinforce your skin barrier.
- For oily skin, opt for oil-free or gel-based formulas.
- For dry skin, look for options formulated with ceramides, squalane, or hyaluronic acid.
Step 4: Protect: Apply SPF 30 or higher sunscreen even on cloudy days or when you’re indoors.
Evening: Repair and Rejuvenate
Step 1: Cleanse: Double cleanse to ensure you remove all makeup and SPF. For the first cleanse, choose an oil-based cleanser; this will be effective at removing makeup. For the second cleanse, choose a gentle, hydrating cleanser.
Step 2: Exfoliate: One to two times per week, exfoliate to help with skin texture and cell turnover. Look for products with AHAs or BHAs, which are gentle exfoliating ingredients.
Step 3: Treat: Retinol can boost collagen, reduce fine lines, and increase cell turnover. If you have sensitive skin, bakuchiol is a plant-based alternative to retinol that can be gentler.
Peptide creams can also support collagen production, as well as help reduce inflammation and firm skin. The peptide may be combined with either the retinol or bakuchiol if you choose to use them.
Step 4: Moisturize: Opt for a moisturizer that feels heavier than your morning moisturizer to help lock in moisture and seal in your treatment products.
If you struggle with dry or dehydrated skin, adding in an overnight moisturizing mask once per week can boost hydration. Apply in place of your moisturizer the evening you use it.
Step 5: Eye Care: Apply an eye cream, looking for peptide- or retinol-based formulations depending on your unique skin concerns.
