Natural Remedies and Food Options to Get Rid of Wrinkles
Wrinkles begin appearing on one’s skin due to various reasons, such as aging, frequent facial contortions, exposure to UV rays, and many others. The scientific reason behind the emergence of wrinkles is the depleted collagen and elastin production in the skin, reducing its thickness and flexibility over time. While not a serious health concern, wrinkles are still undesirable as they make the skin appear tired and dehydrated, and also less resistant to damage.
Remedies to combat wrinkles
While wrinkle emergence is an irreversible and inevitable part of aging, certain natural remedies and treatment options can slow this process, keeping the skin healthy and hydrated. Some such remedies are:
- Washing the face regularly
The skin is constantly exposed to chemicals, cosmetics, and pollutants throughout the day. These, and several other agents, cause oxidative stress in a person’s skin (especially the facial skin). When one washes the face and uses a water-based wipe to cleanse the skin, the water particles reduce the stress and open skin pores. Washing the face every few hours hydrates the skin and helps individuals combat wrinkles effectively. - Limiting UV radiation exposure
UV rays from the sun or other sources accelerate skin aging. Too much exposure can cause wrinkles, spotty complexion, and, at worst, skin cancer. Therefore, one must limit exposure to UV rays as much as possible.
Although avoiding UV radiation completely is impossible, one can use solutions such as avoiding tanning bed usage, using sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30, or using a facemask or protective clothing to cover the face from sun rays. One needs to apply sunscreen on all the skin areas not covered by clothing before going outdoors. - Reducing sugar intake
Sugar sets off and speeds up a process known as glycation in the body. Excessive sugar consumption results in the production of undesirable Advanced Glycation End Products (AGEs). AGEs include lipids or proteins that become glycated after exposure to sugar. These end products break down collagen and accelerate skin aging. Reducing sugar consumption can help reduce the effects of glycation in the body.
Apart from sugar, grilled and fried foods also result in glycation. Therefore, one must avoid or at least limit their intake of sugar and oil-rich foods. - Using coconut oil or olive oil
When coconut oil is applied to the skin, it fills the pores and gaps in the epidermal layer, making the skin feel smoother and moist. This makes coconut oil an effective, naturally available, and toxin-free emollient.
Apart from coconut oil, using olive oil in food preparation is also an effective way to get rid of wrinkles. Olive oil’s byproducts, such as leaves and stems, boost the skin’s flexibility by increasing collagen levels. People with allergic reactions should be careful and consult a healthcare professional before using it. Similar to olive oil, tomatoes, broccoli, lentils, and beans, are also highly useful against wrinkles and fine lines on the skin.
Other helpful options
- Using laser resurfacing
The first of the three remedies is the laser resurfacing therapy; there are two kinds of resurfacing. In ablative laser resurfacing, surgeons use a powerful laser beam to destroy the epidermis (the outer layer of an individual’s skin) and heat up the dermis (the skin layer underneath the epidermis). Within some months, the wound heals, and new collagen fibers start growing on top of it. Eventually, smoother, flexible, and more hydrated skin fully forms on this layer.
Non-ablative surfacing involves a fractional laser for the same treatment with a lesser risk of side effects such as scarring, darkening, or skin lightening that accompanies the ablative technique. Non-ablative resurfacing is effective on people with light to moderate amounts of wrinkles. On the downside, this therapy needs to be repeated several times to get tangible results. - Using dermabrasion and microdermabrasion
Healthcare professionals use a rapidly rotating brush to sand down the wrinkled epidermis in this therapy. Similar to resurfacing, a new layer of skin grows in its place a few weeks or months after the therapy. Most patients need to undergo this therapy multiple times to show positive results.
As its name implies, microdermabrasion is a less-abrasive version of dermabrasion as it removes a finer layer of skin compared to the earlier therapy. Redness of the skin, stinging, and swelling are some of the side effects of these therapies. - Using facelifting
In facelifting, doctors tighten the skin tissues and underlying muscles surgically. This process tangibly improves the flexibility, thickness, and damage resistance of the skin. One of its downsides is the cost of the therapy and the time taken by the skin to heal after the procedure.
Foods to combat wrinkles
One of the most known and effective remedies is drinking plenty of water at regular intervals to keep the skin hydrated. Besides water, here are some foods that help the skin fight wrinkles:
- Garlic
Garlic is rich in polyphenols, a kind of antioxidant that safeguards the skin from free radicals, the molecules that make the skin shrivel by breaking down its collagen reserves. - Broccoli
Most importantly, broccoli prevents inflammation, a frequent cause of skin aging. Besides that, broccoli is also filled with a diverse range of nutrients such as vitamins K and C, fiber, lutein, calcium, folate, and several antioxidants. The vitamin C in broccoli boosts collagen production in the skin, while its proteins and other elements restore its elasticity, resilience to damage, and thickness. - Spinach
Like broccoli, spinach is also loaded with antioxidants that keep the skin fresh and hydrated. Spinach is a rich source of lutein, plant-based heme iron, vitamins A, C, K, and E, and magnesium. The mix of these nutrients boosts collagen production. Vitamin A, in particular, also makes the hair strong and shiny, while vitamin K limits skin inflammation. - Raspberries
All kinds of berries, such as strawberries, blackberries, or blueberries, contain more antioxidants than any vegetable or fruit. Raspberries are the pick of the bunch due to their exquisite taste and collagen-boosting capabilities.
