Fine Lines - What Causes Fine Lines & How to Get Rid of Them
Fine lines are the inevitable result of a life well-lived - they come from smiling and laughing, from natural aging, and, on the not-so-positive side, from sun damage and external pollutants like smoke. Though they’re earned for most people over time and through expression (like smile lines!), many of us would rather slow down their formation and reduce their appearance.
Read on for Bellecôte’s best advice for preventing and treating fine lines and wrinkles:
What are fine lines?
Fine lines are the tiny creases and shallow fissures on your skin that are the precursor to wrinkles. Without intervention, where fine lines appear, deeper wrinkles will likely follow due to the inevitable effects of gravity and age. Unlike wrinkles, fine lines appear just below the surface of the skin and might emerge as soon as twenty-five years old; for those exposed to pollutants, fine lines might appear sooner.
What causes fine lines to form?
Repetitive Movement
Fine lines are often the result of repetitive movement - that’s how those aforementioned smile lines are formed. They’re most common around the eyes and mouth where we move the skin on our face most; 11’s between the eyes above the bridge of the nose, lines between the eyebrows from frowning, and the creases at the corners of our eyes (crow’s feet) are all the result of repetitive contractions in our small muscles. Because we make the same expressions over and over through our lifetime, we eventually gain creases where that movement is taking place.
Sun Damage
Too much exposure to the sun, called photoaging, will simulate natural aging on the face, leading to fine lines and wrinkles. The collagen fibers in our skin are actually broken down by UV light, and when this happens over and over again, the skin loses its ability to fully repair from the damage, and we’re left with the creases that result when the fibers are unable to rebuild correctly anymore.
Aging
Everyone gets wrinkles as they age; the number, severity, and time of onset can vary wildly due to other factors, especially genetics and environment. The middle layer of skin, called the dermis, is full of cells that constantly divide to create fresh, new ones. As we age our cells begin to divide less rapidly, and the elastin and collagen in our dermis starts to break down, creating fine lines. Making matters worse, older skin is less able to produce sebum and retain water - this means the skin becomes both dry and dehydrated, with a reduced capacity for self-healing.
Makeup
Girl, wash your face! Makeup left on the skin, especially overnight, can clog the pores on the face and affect your body’s natural ability to produce collagen. Without the regular use of cleanser or makeup remover, the skin will be without good access to collagen and might develop early fine lines and wrinkles.
Smoking
Besides being horrible for your health (but you already knew that!), smoking leads to fewer fresh collagen proteins produced in the skin, which will in turn cause fine lines, creases, and wrinkles. In healthy skin, collagen is always breaking down and regenerating, so without the ability to produce new collagen, the skin suffers.
Pollution
Pollution works to cause fine lines in much the same way as smoking does. When environmental pollutants go into your pores, it also causes a breakdown in collagen. Common pollutants include particulates like dirt and dust; soot (more common in areas with heavy manufacturing); and nitrogen dioxide, very common in populated cities with heavy traffic and for those who work in lawncare, construction, and manufacturing.
How to get rid of fine lines
High-quality skincare products from trusted brands are your best bet when it comes to choosing a complete skincare regimen.
Exfoliants prepare the skin, removing the top layer of dead skin and allowing the active ingredients to penetrate deeper. Although the best exfoliating ingredients will alter depending on your skin type, we recommend looking for facial scrubs with exfoliating compounds like salicylic acid, glycolic acid, mandelic acid, and lactic acid. A great option for all skin types is our mild BelleCôte Organic Seaweed Exfoliator!
Creams and serums with active ingredients, applied after exfoliation, can smooth lines and help prevent wrinkles. Improving hydration goes a long way to increasing overall hydration and improved skin texture, which in turn boosts collagen production (are you sensing a theme!?).
Botulinum toxin type A (Botox®), is effective but invasive and comes with a host of side effects (not to mention it’s $$$$). For a Botox-like effect, try BelleCôte’s Wrinkle Erasing Serum - it’s like a facelift in a bottle!
How do I prevent wrinkles from forming?
Follow this advice to look your best for the rest:
- Wear sunscreen, every day.
- Moisturize morning & night!
- Drink water
- Don’t smoke!
- Eat a balanced diet
- Avoid strong sun & tanning
Discover our BelleCôte regimen to combat fine lines here!
If you want to know about the best solutions for how to get rid of fine lines for your specific skin type, our team of BelleCôte Estheticians are here to help! Send us a message https://bellecoteparis.com/pages/contact-us or send us an email info@bellecoteparis.com to book a consultation with our esthetician.
The Takeaway
Everybody ages, and it’s a process that we should be proud of! That being said, we can and should take excellent care of our skin, just like we do the rest of our bodies. Be gorgeous at every stage of life, and treat your skin with the love and respect it (and you!) deserve.
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