Wrinkles are the unattractive and unsightly fine lines appearing on the skin that are an indication of aging or just continual neglect. The occurrence of wrinkles is an inevitable part of the aging process. It's not possible to escape wrinkles forever. Nevertheless, there are several ways of preventing, stalling, or delaying their appearance.
How are Wrinkles Formed?: Aging and Formation of Wrinkles
There are some key factors responsible for formation of wrinkles and finelines on the face,
- With age, the collagen and elastin fibers within the skin begin to diminish. The collagen fibers play a crucial role in providing structure and strength to the skin tissues, while, the elastin fibers endow the skin with elasticity and suppleness. Elastin plays a crucial role in making the skin look younger and glowing.
- Concurrently, along with the reduction in collagen and elastin levels, the skin’s natural regenerative ability also slows down. Consequently, the skin cells take longer to repair and renew themselves.
- Beneath the outer layer of the skin (the epidermis) lies a layer of fat cells that helps the skin stretch. However, with age, this layer of fat dissolves, and leaves behind gaps, which causes the skin to sag and leads to additional development of wrinkles.
Sun Exposure, Sun Damage and Wrinkles
Exposure to the sun for prolonged periods of time causes grave damage to the skin tissue and encourages early formation of fine lines and wrinkles.
The damaging ultraviolet radiations make way into the skin’s surface, and cause impairment to the collagen fibers.
As a result, the collagen fibers break down faster, and the skin becomes thinner and loses much of its elasticity.
Protecting against sun exposure is key to preventing the premature aging process.
Free Radicals Damage and Wrinkles
Free radicals are another contributing factor to the formation of wrinkles. They are unstable oxygen molecules that wreak havoc on the collagen structure and advance their break-down.
Free radicals occur due to an exposure to environmental pollutants and harsh chemicals, inadequate and faulty diets and smoking.
Anti-oxidants are powerful free radical scavengers and demolishers, and shield the skin from them.
Prevent Wrinkles with Facial Exercises: Facial Excercise to Reverse Aging
Exercising the muscles of the face regularly helps keep the facial skin healthy and toned. Working on the facial muscles increases the supply of oxygen to the face and lends a healthy glow and radiance, while banishing the appearance of wrinkles.
"Face gym" promises to ease out furrows in the forehead and around the eyes, eliminate crow feet, laugh lines and jowls, makes the skin taut and firm, prevent sagging and impart a healthy glow to the skin.
Yoga Asanas for Wrinkle Reducation : Reversing Aging with Yoga Postures
Simhasana or the ‘Lion Pose’, is a wonderful exercise for stimulating the facial muscles. It exerts a powerful effect on all the muscles of the face, sends a surge of oxygen, and greatly tones up the facial skin.
- Kneel on the floor. Sit on the ankles and lean forwards slightly. Keep the spine erect.
- Place the palms on the knees, keeping the arms extended.
- Close your eyes and inhale deeply.
- On the exhalation, lean forwards and open the jaw as wide as possible and let the tongue roll out as much as possible. Roll the eyes upwards and raise the eyebrows. Hold this pose and breathe through the mouth.
- Feel the skin of the face spread out wide.
- After about 20 seconds, release the pose.
This yoga asana has a highly favorable effect on the facial muscles and averts the occurrence of wrinkles to a great extent.
Reference:
The Yoga Bible, Christina Brown, Godsfield Press, a division of Octopus Publishing Group Limited, London, 2003.
Shweta Shah - A practicing homeopath using aromatherapy, yoga, acupressure and diet in patient management
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