How to Reduce Wrinkles Around the Mouth – Speaking of…

Speaking of the best skin care over 50…it’s time to focus on how to reduce wrinkles around the mouth. If you’ve been following my posts…thank you by the way…then this post might sound like a broken record. I think, however, that it just shows that there is confidence in what we’re learning about our skin and the products available.

The Guilty Culprits

Smoking. Here we go again. How many times have you looked at the wrinkles around someone’s mouth and instantly assumed they smoke. Well…there’s a good chance you’re right. Smoking can speed up the aging process and create deep wrinkles around the mouth.

Sun Exposure. Excessive exposure to the sun can cause wrinkles around the mouth, just like the rest of our bodies.

Unhealthy Diet. Now, this one is going to hurt some of you. Our skin reacts to what we foods we put in our body.

• Sugar damages the link between our collegan fibers. Remember…collegan is needed for elasticity in our skin.
• Carbohydrates break down into sugar. Let me state that fruits and vegetables, which we’ll talk about, are actually good for wrinkles. What we’re talking about here are the highly refined and processed carbs (you know, the good tasting stuff) like breads, pastries, and cereals.
• Alcohol causes dehydration, which can lead to dry, dull skin and wrinkles. So…keep that alcohol intake to a minimum.
• Margarine contains polyunsaturated fats, which can increase inflammation, which can cause oxidative stress. Oxidative stress, which is an imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants, can damage our organs…and we all know that skin is our biggest organ. I’m no scientist, but this doesn’t sound good to me!
• Dairy, like margarine, can cause oxidative stress due to inflammation. Dairy products also contain lactose, which is a type of sugar. If you don’t want to give up your dairy and you have access to a Kroger store, they have products under their label CarbMaster, which has lower amounts of sugar and carbs. I like their milk and yogurt.
• Red meat that has been charred/blackened can cause inflammatory hydrocarbons, which increases inflammation. This can cause damage to our organs as well. Now…before you go all vegan on me,..red meat in and of itself is not bad for you…it is actually a great source of protein that our body needs.
• Processed meats, such as sausage, deli meats, and bacon are high in sodium content and other preservatives, causing inflammation.

Aging. And of course there’s getting older. It’s a natural process that we can’t stop…until we die, that is…so I’m trying not to complain too much about aging. Avoiding the things above can help stave off the look of getting older though. And there are things we can embrace that will help as well.

Steps We Can Take

Yes, there are steps we can take to reduce wrinkles around the mouth. Let’s have a look and see.

Smoking Cessation. Give up smoking…plain and simple. I know, I know, that’s easy for me to say, but this is just one more reason to put em down. See your doctor and let him or her help you with it.

Sunscreen. Don’t forget to put sunscreen around your mouth when lathering up. There are even products made for the face that you can apply in addition to what’s already in your moisturizer and/or foundation. The best way, however, is to wear a big brimmed hat when you know you’re going to be in the sun for an extended amount of time.

Healthy Diet. There are many good foods you can eat, but here’s some of particular importance:

• Vitamin C. Fruits and veggies like citrus, strawberries, and bell peppers.
• Vitamin A. Vegetables like carrots, greens, and sweet potatoes.
• Antioxidants. Fruits and veggies like berries, broccoli, and carrots.

Facial Exercises. Yes, there are funny little faces you can make to improve the skin and muscle around your mouth. You can do things like stretch your lips into a big smile, then pucker up, then make an O. You hold each for about 2 minutes then repeat. Sounds funny, huh? I’m not going to get too deep into this one because I want to save it for another time. Maybe I’ll even take pictures for you.

Topical Applications. There are over-the-counter products that can help to correct and ward off wrinkles around the mouth. Be sure to look for these ingredients:

• Retinol softens lines and thickens deep layers of the skin. Just be careful using retinol as it can irritate the skin. The skin around our mouths isn’t as sensitive as around our eyes, but you may still want to test it first and gradually work up to using it regularly.
• Collegan increases elasticity and hydrates the skin.
• Glycolic acids increase collegan production and blood circulation. They also brighten the skin and smooth out wrinkles.
• Grape seed extract is another source of an antioxidant and improves elasticity in your skin. It can be rubbed around your mouth to decrease deep wrinkles.

My Final Words

You may have notice by now that I’ve not talked any about the more drastic measures…like Botox. While I know they do have benefits and give immediate results, I’m basing my posts on my experiences. I truly believe that we can do this on our own…or rather together…you and me. It may take a little longer, but I think we’ll all be happier in the end.

If you have been reading my posts, then a big thank you comes from my heart. If this is your first, please go back to the beginning. This thing we’re calling the best skin care over 50 is not a one time shot. It’s life-changing habits and there’s a lot to it.

Please leave me a question and/or a comment and I will be happy to respond.

Let’s kiss these wrinkles goodbye!

Karen