Aging and skin damage from the environment cause changes in the skin, often most noticeably in the form of static wrinkles and hollowed areas. Fortunately these changes can be treated with dermal fillers, such as the various formulations in the Juvederm® collection. South Jersey Skin Care & Laser Center offers dermal fillers to address age-related lines and hollows, but the team also explains that prevention—if possible—is always a better strategy than waiting to “fix” problems that inevitably arise.

While skin changes (such as a gradual decline in collagen production) do contribute to the formation of wrinkles, there are also several other less-talked-about causes of wrinkles to be aware of.

It’s important to avoid bad habits that can be harmful to your skin and do what you can in your at-home skin routine to strengthen it. If your goal is to preserve skin that’s as smooth, radiant, and youthful as possible throughout the decades, continue scrolling to learn about five lesser-known factors associated with skin damage to avoid. 

1. Sleep Deprivation 

We know that lack of sleep causes dark circles and bags under the eyes, but it also causes unwanted changes to the appearance of the skin in other ways. If you’re not getting enough sleep, your skin will see a change in its pH and won’t be able to maintain hydration as effectively. Your body regenerates skin and flushes toxins out of the body when you’re asleep. Aim for seven to nine hours of sleep consistently each night. 

2. Too Much Sugar 

Refined carbohydrates and sugars aren’t all that healthy overall, and one of the areas of the body they’re most damaging to is the skin. A high-sugar diet can be harmful to collagen in your skin. Glycation is a process that occurs when there’s a presence of excess sugar in the skin fibers. Sugar molecules attach themselves to other molecules, such as proteins and fats. This causes a loss of skin elasticity and leads to increased inflammation as well as oxidative stress. 

3. Pollution

The environment we live in has a major impact on our facial appearance. Pollution is known to increase free radical damage, causing wrinkles to form at a more rapid rate. It’s important to cleanse your face each night, especially if you live in a highly populated city area, in order to remove residue and debris that can cause problems if left on the surface.

4. Yo-Yo Dieting

Crash diets and yo-yo dieting are believed to be very harmful to your skin. Years of losing or gaining significant amounts of weight can cause the skin to become stretched out, losing its elasticity. Crash diets can also cause you to lose weight too quickly and deprive your skin of the nutrients it needs. Your skin needs good nutrition—especially the B vitamin biotin—to thrive. Try to consume foods that are rich in antioxidants such as vitamins C and E, since they help to counteract sun damage and protect your skin. 

5. Sun Exposure 

Chronic sun exposure is one of the leading causes of wrinkles. Your skin produces pigment, called melanin, in an effort to prevent further damage from the sun. This is what causes a darker appearance. Although we often think of a tan as being a “healthy glow,” the truth is that tanning itself can be considered a form of skin damage. Too much unprotected sun exposure also damages important structural fibers, causing skin to sag and wrinkles to form. What you can do to avoid this is wear sunscreen every day—even when it’s cloudy or snowy—and limit sun exposure as much as possible. 

Get more advice about preventing and treating wrinkles and other signs of aging by contacting South Jersey Skin Care & Laser Center. To get in touch, call (856) 810-9888 or fill out a contact form to schedule a consultation to talk about facial fillers.