3. Schedule an In-Office Laser Treatment, a Needle-Free Way to De-Age Your Skin
If you want to go beyond topicals, but you don’t want to make the jump to injectables, ask your dermatologist if one of the many laser treatment options available would be right for your skin needs. “Resurfacing lasers do so many things, including reducing brown spots and blood vessels, remodeling collagen, and increasing collagen production,” says Anolik.
While the lasers of yesterday used to leave skin angry and fiery red, they’re now more sophisticated and maintain efficacy while causing minimal injury to the skin, he says. He likes PicoSure and Clear + Brilliant for reducing the signs of aging like fine lines and wrinkles. “We can pick and choose from these [laser products] with patients. They each have their benefits, and I often alternate different strategies at different visits,” says Anolik.
That said, know that these treatments can be expensive. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, laser skin resurfacing treatments cost about $1,829, with other types of laser treatments costing about $697 on average, plus any possible associated fees, like anesthesia and facility charges. Keep in mind that both skin resurfacing and other types of laser treatments may require multiple sessions. Still, they can do things that injections can’t, such as targeting discoloration. Talk to your doctor about your goals and whether you’re a good candidate for one of the many lasers on the market.
4. Ask Your Dermatologist About Microneedling, Which Can Fade Scars and Smooth Wrinkles
Microneedling uses a roller device that’s studded with micro-fine needles, or an electronic pen with needles at the tip. The device is rolled or moved across the skin after a numbing cream has been applied, and the needles penetrate its outermost layers. These pricks trigger the skin’s healing process, boosting collagen and elastin production.
5. Use Dietary Supplements, Which May Fight Wrinkles
Along with sun protection and dermatology procedures, there are some skin supplements that have research-backed benefits. For example, in one review, people who took collagen peptides orally saw favorable results on skin hydration, elasticity, and wrinkles compared with a placebo group. Researchers suggested that 90 days of oral collagen peptide supplementation is effective at reducing signs of skin aging.
That said, there isn’t a wealth of human research on collagen supplements. More studies are needed before they’re recommended.
6. Follow a Healthy Diet and Lifestyle, 2 Musts for Good Skin
When it comes to smart skin-care habits, there’s no replacement for a healthy diet and lifestyle. In the fight to keep lines and wrinkles at bay, your daily habits matter. Smoking, exposure to pollution, alcohol consumption, poor sleep, and poor skin-care practices like skipping sunscreen were all connected to increased signs of aging, one research review found. Its authors suggested that a balanced diet full of omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants reduced inflammation and oxidative stress, protecting skin, and that regular exercise has anti-aging skin benefits as well.
A group of compounds found in the body — advanced glycation end-products (AGEs), harmful substances that accumulate in tissue when sugars react with proteins, fat, or certain acids in the bloodstream — have increasingly been the subject of research on skin aging. One research review found that clinical trials of oral and topical supplements had mixed results when it came to reducing AGEs in skin, though several, including oral and topical fish collagen peptides and a topical carotenoid cream, were found to be effective. Still, the authors noted that disease management and lifestyle modification is the primary method for reducing AGEs-related skin aging.
Another to-do: Get adequate, high-quality sleep. For adults, that would be seven to nine hours of sleep per night. In a study of 60 healthy women, those who were characterized as “good sleepers” had 30 percent less water loss through the skin barrier and better skin recovery from ultraviolet light exposure than the “poor sleepers” in the study. What’s more, they were also happier with their appearance than those who slept poorly. And who can argue with that?
The Takeaway
- If you’re looking to reduce fine lines and wrinkles but think Botox or other injectables, like fillers, aren’t right for you, you’re in luck — other options exist to address signs of aging.
- Protect your skin from UV damage by using sunscreen daily and treating it with topical retinoids. These are two of the most effective ways to prevent signs of aging, and both can reduce existing signs of aging.
- If you’re looking to boost collagen production and reduce scarring, consider seeing a dermatologist for laser skin remodeling or rejuvenation, or microneedling.
- Research shows a healthy diet and lifestyle is crucial for skin to age well: Not smoking, limiting alcohol, working out, and sleeping enough can all slow the skin’s aging process.
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