Wrinkles are one of the biggest giveaways of ageing. They’re a natural part of life and quite a common occurrence, with 84% of Australians reporting to have noticed signs of ageing in our 2023 State of Skin survey (including 54% of 18 to 24-year-olds and 82% of 25 to 34-year-olds).

However, it's understandable if you'd like to avoid the formation of fine lines and wrinkles.

The good news is that this is possible and there are ways to prevent lines from forming. There's even a way to treat and reduce the appearance of wrinkles that have already formed.

To understand what wrinkles are, how they occur, and what causes them as well as a few tips, we've created a handy guide on all of the above so you can tackle wrinkles head-on.

What causes skin ageing and wrinkles?

As we age, we go through a natural ageing process where the skin becomes drier and less elastic.

This loss of flexibility or elasticity causes creases, fine lines and wrinkles on the skin. Much of this is determined by our genes, also known as intrinsic ageing [1].

Unfortunately, there’s not much we can do about genetic-related ageing.

Some people are more prone to forming wrinkles, while some research suggests that people of colour often have firmer and smoother skin, which is possibly due to a thicker compact dermis that protects against fine wrinkles [2].

Extrinsic ageing, on the other hand, refers to the environmental and lifestyle factors that cause premature ageing and wrinkles.

Some of the main extrinsic ageing causes include sun exposure, sun damage, dehydration, smoking, medication, and repetitive facial expressions.

Let’s explore a little more about these extrinsic ageing factors.

Additionally, as skin ages, it's important to recognise that both intrinsic factors like genetics and extrinsic factors such as sun exposure and lifestyle habits play a significant role in how our skin loses elasticity, becomes thinner, and drier over time.

Sun damage

The most common cause of skin damage and wrinkles is exposure to ultraviolet rays that prompt the formation of free radicals that damage your skin's elasticity.

Sun exposure causes fine lines and wrinkles, brown spots, broken capillaries, and pigmentation, all of which contribute to the appearance of skin ageing.

Smoking

Along with a host of other health problems, smoking can cause more fine lines and wrinkles as well as sagging skin [3].

Nicotine causes blood vessels to constrict, reducing blood flow to the face, which can make the skin look dull and lacklustre. A 2013 study on identical twins found smokers had more wrinkles than non-smokers, highlighting the impact of smoking on skin health and ageing [4].

One side effect is known as the “smoker’s pucker”, which refers to the deep lines and wrinkles around the lips caused by the repeated use of muscles to drag on cigarettes.

The chemicals in tobacco are also thought to block collagen production and damage the elasticity of the skin giving you wrinkles.

Repeated facial expressions

Frowning, squinting, and smiling can all contribute to wrinkles.

Squinting a lot is thought to be the most common cause of crow's feet whilst frequent frowning can cause those deep wrinkles on the forehead and around the mouth [5].

How to prevent wrinkles

Preventing wrinkles might not be a big concern in your teens and 20s but often as you get older, it can become more of a priority.

There’s nothing wrong with looking after your skin and attempting to future-proof it against fine lines and wrinkles. Ahead, you’ll find nine ways to prevent and reduce the formation of wrinkles.

1. Wear sunscreen

Wearing sunscreen every day is the best way to prevent sun-damaged skin and in turn, wrinkles and fine lines.

For extra protection, wear sun-protective clothing and sunglasses alongside your sunscreen and be sure to pick a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF50+, like Software's Daily Sun Defence SPF50+, for the highest protection possible.

2. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate

Consistently using a hydrating moisturiser with protective antioxidants helps to trap water in the skin, which adds extra moisture to your skin texture and can reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles [6].

It's important to understand that moisturising won't actually prevent wrinkles, but it is a key step in a skincare routine that includes anti-ageing products and it will help keep skin looking plump and full.

Software's Hyaluronic Complex Serum is a great addition to your wrinkle-prevention skincare routine as it's designed to instantly hydrate, thanks to the addition of 4 types of hyaluronic acid which help combat dryness and dehydration.

Natural Moisturising Factors (NMF) and sodium hyaluronate crosspolymer attract water from the atmosphere to maintain hydration all day and help keep external stressors at bay by strengthening the skin's surface.

You might also like to consider adding an eye cream — Software’s Multi-Peptide Eye Serum is packed with highly targeted ingredients that are formulated to treat undereye concerns from all angles.

It helps diminish signs of dark circles and puffiness reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and helps firm and smooth skin texture.

3. Eat healthily

Studies have shown that consuming a diet high in fresh fruit and vegetables might just prevent skin damage that can lead to premature skin ageing.

Further studies have found links between diets high in sugar and processed food that can accelerate premature ageing. Ditch the unhealthy snacks, add in more fruit and see the benefits.

Bonus tip: This goes without saying but we should all be drinking water to help maintain skin elasticity.

4. Get your 40 winks

Sleep is critical for your overall health and your skin is no exception. We should all be aiming for between 6 and 8 hours of sleep each night, preferably in a routine where wake-up time and bedtime are the same most days.

While sleeping, your body goes through a repair process and creates new collagen in the process.

Collagen is incredibly important for your skin as it keeps it plump and smooth and in turn, helps prevent wrinkles from forming.

If you are currently struggling to get more sleep try setting yourself an alarm to go to bed. Sleeping more can have additional benefits like helping to reduce stress.

5. Limit blue light

Protection from UVA and UVB rays is important, but blue light is now considered to be equally harmful to your skin [7].

With the amount of time spent on digital devices — from phones to iPads and laptops — we are getting a lot of blue light, which penetrates the outermost layer of your skin down to the collagen and elastin in your dermis.

This can increase the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. You can help counteract this with over-the-counter products like Software's Vitamin C + Ferulic Serum — which stimulates collagen, reduces fine lines and firms skin — as well as medical-grade anti-ageing formulas.

6. Fake tan only

Tanning puts you at risk of skin cancer and also speeds up signs of ageing skin.

Sun tanning or skipping UV protection can lead to premature wrinkles and sun spots on your skin. Opt for a self-tanner or spray tan to keep your skin healthy and free of sun damage.

7. Start a treatment plan

Prevention is often better than the cure, so making your skin health a priority as soon as possible can ensure that your skin is looking its best as you age.

Software's personalised anti-ageing treatment takes a customised approach to your specific skin needs. Simply answer a few questions in our text-based quiz, upload a few selfies of your skin and a local Software health practitioner will create a customised formula just for you.

Using ingredients like medical-grade retinoids, niacinamide and hyaluronic acid, Software's anti-ageing treatment increases skin firmness, and reduces fine lines and wrinkles, while also hydrating and plumping the skin.

8. Sleep on a silk pillowcase

Sleeping on a silk pillowcase won't reduce the appearance of wrinkles, but it can prevent crease marks from forming on the skin while you're sleeping [8].

Silk doesn't create friction on the skin as much as cotton or linen can, which means you won't wake up with lines indented on your face from your pillowcase.

The second thing to note is that silk won't absorb the skincare products that you wear to bed. It absorbs less moisture, which means your products will actually sink into your skin properly and not end up on your cotton pillowcase.

Plus, silk pillowcases are great for your hair so you won't wake up with a frizzy mane either.

What's the best way to treat wrinkles that have already formed?

Achieving wrinkle-free skin is a common goal, with various treatments ranging from skincare routines to injections and laser resurfacing designed to smooth out wrinkles and enhance skin texture.

Once wrinkles have already formed you might be looking for wrinkle treatments or ways to reduce fine lines on the skin.

There are several ways you can do this, with some more invasive than others. Here are a couple of techniques that treat wrinkles:

• Botox: A Botox injection can work to reduce wrinkles by paralysing the muscles under the skin. Botox injections need to be performed as part of cosmetic dermatology, or by a licensed doctor. Injecting Botox into targeted muscles under the skin can help decrease fine lines on the forehead, while also reducing the appearance of crow’s feet and frown lines that form between the eyes.
• Dermal fillers: A filler injection into the base of the wrinkle can actually smooth and flatten out the wrinkle (causing an anti-wrinkle effect). It’s important to note that this is temporary and needs regular treatments to maintain the effect. A dermal filler could be made of collagen, hyaluronic acid or fat injections.
• Facelift: A cosmetic surgical procedure that gives the appearance of more youthful skin
• Fractionated laser: A treatment that uses a laser beam to target small sections of the skin at a time to promote collagen production and in turn, the reduction of fine lines and wrinkles [9].
• Medical-grade retinoids: A medical-grade solution that’s non-invasive, easy to access and affordable. Software’s anti-ageing formula is customised to your skin and with the help of retinoids, targets fine lines and wrinkles by stimulating the growth of new skin cells and increasing the rate at which old skin cells are shed. This increased cell production and turnover helps to improve fine lines, wrinkles and skin texture.

Photo credit: Getty Images