Will I Get Wrinkles?

I see hundreds of people a week as a plastic surgeon, and the quality of skin can vary tremendously from person to person.  Some individuals look years younger than their age, and others… not so much.  So are you destined to get your mother’s or grandmother’s wrinkles?  Not necessarily.

Although genetics certainly plays some role, sun exposure has a tremendous impact.  Exposure to UV light from the sun or a tanning bed affects skin at a cellular level.  Over years, skin becomes less elastic (i.e wrinkled) and develops brown spots, spider veins and redness.  You may not see a difference at age 25, but I can look at two 40-year-olds and tell you which person was out in the sun more or used a tanning bed.  So the best way to prevent aging? Sunscreen!  Use a moisturizer with at least SPF 15 on your face, chest and arms every morning.  If you are out in the sun, reapply sunscreen every 1-2 hours.  And if you already have sun damage in the form of age spots, redness, or wrinkles, don’t despair.  All of these issues are treatable.  Look for a Plastic Surgeon or Dermatologist who specializes in laser treatments for skin rejuvenation; several options are available depending on your treatment goals.