Treatments That Can Fight Existing Wrinkles
    If you already have wrinkles, most experts doubt that over-the-counter creams will help.  But don’t
    fret: You do have several wrinkle-fighting options to choose from.  Here are some treatments the
    experts say work.

    Buff lines away.  If you have fine wrinkles, mild exfoliation will slough off the dry top layer of your
    skin so it appears smoother.  The tiny wrinkles around the mouth and eyes are particularly likely
    to respond.  It is recommended that you use a slightly abrasive facial sponge like a Buf Puf,
    available in any drugstore’s skin-care section.  The rubbing action should be done perpendicular
    to the direction of the wrinkle.  Buff a little with a moist pad and your cleanser every night.  But you
    can overdo it, so use restraint and common sense.  Let your skin be your guide; buffing it once a
    week might be enough.  And because exfoliating removes some of your skin’s protective outer
    layer, it’s even more important to use a sunscreen.

    Caution:  Don’t try exfoliation if you have fair or sensitive skin or if your complexion is prone to
    dilated blood vessels.  And don’t exfoliate your face with grainy scrubs, either.  They’re too harsh
    and can irritate your skin and eyes.

    Try alpha hydroxyl acids.  Alpha hydroxyl acids (AHAs) are mild acids derived from natural
    ingredients that appear to reduce the appearance of fine lines and leave skin looking smoother,
    fresher and brighter.  Many over-the-counter moisturizers and wrinkle creams now contain AHAs:
    Glycolic acid, derived from fruit, and lactic acid, derived from milk, are particularly popular.

    Glycolic acid treatments, available in drugstores and skin-care salons, will give your skin slow
    improvement over time.  But over-the-counter glycolic acid preparations aren’t as strong as those
    a dermatologist can prescribe.  More significantly, using glycolic acid products can enhance the
    effectiveness of a prescription product like Retin-A (topical tretinoin).
17,858 Expert Authors Sharing Their Best Health Articles
Article Categories
Counter