Before you choose a particular anti-wrinkle treatment, it makes sense to learn a little about how wrinkles develop.  So, in addition to going over how wrinkles develop we'll also discuss factors that promote wrinkles, how topical lotions reduce wrinkles, and things you can do everyday to minimize wrinkles.

To learn how wrinkles develop, we must first discuss the skin and exactly what happens that causes wrinkles.  The skin is basically made up of 3 different layers.  The epidermis is the outermost layer (the one you see), the dermis is the middle layer, and the subcutaneous is the inner layer. 

Early in life when you are young, the skin does an efficient job of stretching and holding in moisture.  The middle layer of skin, the dermis, has an elastic quality due to fibers called elastin that help skin look and feel young.  A protein found in the dermis called collagen also helps prevent wrinkles.

But over time, collagen and elastin are lost, so the skin gets thinner and has a tougher time getting enough moisture to the epidermis.  At about the same time, the fat in the subcutaneous layer (which gives skin a plump, firm appearance) also begins to disappear, the epidermis begins to sag, and wrinkles form.  Wrinkles are then prone to form in the face where facial  muscle contractions have been repeated for over many years.

As an alternative to Botox, the most effective lotions currently available work by limiting the facial muscle contractions to allow skin to smooth naturally.  The best formulas also contain ingredients that reduce the amount of nerve stimulation to the facial muscles.

These topical lotions contain varying forms of peptides, which are proteins that play a role in the skins natural healing process.  Found naturally in the body, peptides signal to the body when repair is needed (in this case, the "repair" is needed for wrinkles).

These treatments tend to be most effective, like Botox, for fine lines and wrinkles.  Deep furrows or wrinkles tend to be more difficult to remove.

In addition to gradually aging, there are a number of other factors that can contribute to increased incidences of wrinkles.  Some of these can be controlled while others cannot.  The most common factors that determine wrinkle occurrence include:

• Hereditary
• Skin Type
• Smoking
• Hairstyle
• Sun Exposure
• Drug Use

Although everyone tends to get wrinkles as they age, there are a number of things you can do to reduce the wrinkles you already have and hopefully minimize wrinkles in the future.  The most important of these include: