Wisdom can appear on your face at any age; It starts in your early 30s and becomes more noticeable over time. Although it is completely normal, some people prefer to have a more youthful appearance. But as we know, aging is part of the evolution of aging and can be accompanied by fine lines and wrinkles. It’s an inevitable part of the process.

So how can we reduce fine lines and wrinkles to promote good aging? First we need to correctly define the difference between the two. Read below to learn more.

What are fine lines?

As an esthetician, I know that most people have a hard time detecting the difference between fine lines and wrinkles because they are often interconnected and one is almost always synonymous with the other. Board certified Dr. “Fine lines are shallow and may go unnoticed when the face is at rest, with smaller wrinkles closer to the skin surface and often disappear when the skin is gently stretched,” says Rose Ingleton. Dermatologist and skincare brand founder in New York Rose Ingleton MD. Ingleton adds that their development can be attributed to natural facial expressions such as squinting, laughing and frowning, which occur superficially around the eyes and between the eyebrows.

What are wrinkles?

Wrinkles are more visible and deeper than fine lines. “They show up in deeper wrinkles and usually don’t disappear when the skin is gently stretched,” Ingleton says. Similar to fine lines, they appear on your face, more prominently near your eyes, on your forehead, and in the nasolabial folds around the mouth. Fine lines are more difficult to treat, but their appearance can be minimized with non-surgical or non-invasive skin care treatments such as laser, microneedling, and more. There are also two different types of wrinkles:

• dynamic wrinkles: Occurs only during certain facial expressions
• static wrinkles: Those that are constantly present, regardless of your current expression

What causes fine lines and wrinkles?

“Fine lines and wrinkles are signs of skin aging,” says Ingleton. And it occurs as a result of progressive collagen loss and loss of elasticity as the skin ages, he adds. Reasons for this may also be slowing down of skin cell renewal and thinning of the skin because as we mature, nutrients are delivered to the skin more slowly. Damaged skin cells are repaired less quickly, the production of new skin cells slows down and the oil content begins to decrease.

What are the treatments and products for both?

“Topically, I recommend using a vitamin C serum throughout the day to support collagen synthesis and protect against oxidative damage,” says Ingleton. As a professional esthetician, I also recommend peptides because they can be super helpful for treating both fine lines and wrinkles, especially if you have dehydrated skin, as they provide hydration, protect the skin barrier, reduce inflammation, and renew skin. If you are looking for faster results, in-office procedures for fine lines and wrinkles can be of great benefit to you. Procedures to greatly reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles include “chemical peels, botox and fillers.” Ingleton says.

Are there any preventive measures?

“The best thing you can do is apply sunscreen every day, starting from a young age, and also avoid tanning, as sun exposure will age your skin faster,” says Ingleton. Add antioxidants like vitamin C and retinoids like retinol or tretinoin to your skin care regimen early.