Skincare is a routine that one must stick to religiously and regularly, no matter how tired you are or if you are running late. Of course, there could be exceptions such as when you are roughing it up while camping.

We were all born with a perfect, smooth skin, free of wrinkles; but due to disregard for skincare or non-care lifestyles, we stress our skin and are left with an uneven looking complexion with wrinkles and lines.

Wrinkles are usually divided into two categories; fine, surface lines and deep furrows. They are found primarily on the parts of the body where sun exposure is greatest, such as the face, the neck, the back of the hands and the tops of the forearms.

Wrinkle treatments are in general much more effective for fine lines. Deeper creases may require more aggressive techniques, such as dermabrasion or plastic surgery.

There are various factors that help the wrinkling process. These include smoking; skin type (people with light-coloured skin and blue eyes are more susceptible to sun damage); genetics (some families wrinkle more); hairstyle (depending on how much skin is covered by hair and protected from the sun); dress (again, depending which part of the skin is exposed); occupational and recreational sun exposure over the course of many years.

Some of these factors are beyond our control and the only main preventative measures we can take are to minimise sun exposure and not smoke.

So if you are all too familiar with those little lines and grooves that can etch their way across your face, try these ‘tricks’ to minimise them:

• Use sunscreen because while most sun damage is acquired by age 18, further colour and texture changes and deepening of wrinkles can be avoided with daily use of an SPF 15 or higher. Do not rely on your make up. Even if most foundations offer some sun protection (they may even boast an SPF on the bottle), you would need to apply several teaspoons to get adequate coverage. So use a separate sunscreen.

• Invest in a good pair of sunglasses because squinting in bright sun can exacerbate wrinkles around the eyes. A basic pair of UV-blocking shades works wonders to stave off wrinkles.

• Years of brow furrowing or resting your cheek on your hand can cause wrinkles to form, so watch your expressions. Take note of your repetitive facial gestures and put a stop to those that are affecting your skin.

• The breakdown of collagen is thought to cause wrinkling, and creams made from vitamin

A derivatives work deep within the skin to increase collagen

production.

• Quit smoking because it speeds up wrinkles in several ways. The repetitive mouth motion of puffing on a cigarette can cause lines around the lips; free-radicals from smoke can break down the skin’s structure, causing weakening and wrinkling. Also, the oxygen depletion that comes with smoking causes the skin to work less efficiently.

• Beware of lasers. While a laser in the hands of a trained dermatologist or plastic surgeon can erase wrinkles, one in the hands of an untrained person can cause irritation, burns and scarring.

• Investigate Botox. Injection of botulinum toxin, the muscle poison, can paralyse muscles that produce the ‘frown lines’ on the forehead, fine lines around the eyes and other wrinkles. Improvement lasts several months and must be repeated to sustain improvement. Safety depends again on the experience of the physician.

Anyone considering any of the cosmetic procedures available nowadays to minimise or erase wrinkles should make sure to consult doctors who have experience in one or several of these techniques. Make sure you fully inform yourself about the risks and potential benefit of the procedure you are considering before going ahead.

Most women (and men) spend loads of money a year on creams and treatments, all in the quest to rid themselves of wrinkles. But this should never become an obsession. After all, a lined face can look elegant and regal, much more desirable than a face that’s red, itchy and raw from too

many anti-wrinkle products and

treatments!