Relax Your Wrinkles Away

It happens to everyone -- men and women, celebrities and everyday people. One morning you look in the mirror and there they are, staring back at you: wrinkles.

Loss of skin vitality -- aging skin -- comes from changes in cellular function deep within the skin. As we age, the collagen and elastin framework of the skin begins to collapse, skin cell generation slows and sebaceous glands produce less oil. The top layer of skin becomes dehydrated and cellular turnover slows as much as one percent a year. Skin is less able to repair damage and less capable of retaining critical moisture. The aging of the skin cells results in a continued collapse of the building blocks responsible for young, firm, resilient skin and years of cumulative environmental damage (sun, pollution, cigarette smoke) become more visible.

Wrinkles can appear as deep creases in the skin or thin surface lines that mar the once smooth surface of the skin. Wrinkles -- or laugh lines, crow's feet and "signs of character" -- are caused by the constant contraction of the muscles as we use our face. Wrinkles result from laughing often, sun exposure and tugging on the skin.

The first place most people notice they are aging is in the eye area. The skin around the eyes is thinner and has fewer oil glands. Normal facial expressions -- smiling, squinting, frowning -- cause the delicate skin around the eyes to crease and those lines to set in," says Dr. Howard Sobel, New York Magazine top dermatologist five years in a row and founder DDF (Doctor's Dermatologic Formula), a company specializing in restorative and preventative skincare.

The number one surgical therapy for wrinkles in the United States today is Botox (Botulinum Toxin Type A). However, for those who aren't comfortable injecting a toxin into their skin or are uncomfortable with invasive treatment, there are topical alternatives. One of them is DDF's Wrinkle Relax -- a favorite of beauty editors and certain celebrities. It is considered the pioneering solution that started the anti-aging peptide technology product revolution.

"The formula combines two peptides from naturally derived amino acids to target and stimulate the collagen and fibronectin molecules in the skin," says Dr. Sobel. "This in turn restores more youthful strength while promoting deep tissue repair."

Wrinkle Relax can be used as a reparative or preventative wrinkle treatment: it is ideal for skin that is not yet experiencing significant signs of aging and will firm and minimize the depth of current wrinkles and lines on older skin.

Protect skin from the sun: always wear a sunscreen. Sunscreen is the most effective anti-aging therapy available and a sunscreen with full-spectrum UVA/UVB protection and an SPF of 15 or greater can help prevent wrinkles, sun spots and loss of firmness. Sunglasses are also essential as dark lenses prevent squinting and therefore, can preclude creases from forming around the eyes.

While makeup itself doesn't cause wrinkles, putting it on and taking it off can. Be careful not to tug skin when applying makeup to the face. Use a specialized makeup remover or a cleanser that thoroughly removes cosmetics to prevent rubbing or pulling. Men who pull skin tight to get a closer shave should avoid stretching the skin since skin loses elasticity as it ages and repeated flattening may enhance wrinkle formation.

Don't smoke. There is no other way to say it: smoking causes wrinkles. Don't smoke.

Sleep on silk sheets. Long the secret of film divas, silk pillowcases prevent facial skin from creasing during the night. Silk allows the skin to glide along the pillow so the face rests comfortably without placing pressure on creased skin, effectively "ironing" in wrinkles.

Wrinkle Relax sells for $75.00 for 1 oz. and can be found at www.ddfskincare.com, Macy's, Nordstrom, Sephora and Pure Beauty stores.