How to Get Rid of Wrinkles

Wrinkles are a result of aging, and most of us would like to get rid of them, but a surgical face-lift is pretty drastic. Short of surgery, there are some other ways to help eliminate and hide wrinkles.

Prevention

Wrinkles are caused by loss of flexibility in the collagen fibers, the mesh-like cells that give skin its form and shape. As we age, the collagen fibers lose their ability to withstand normal facial motions; at the same time, we lose facial fat. The result is wrinkles.

If you work to eliminate wrinkles before they form, you have a good chance of staving them off. Don't drink alcohol in excessive amounts; it robs your body of moisture. Don't smoke. Avoid excessive sun, and protect your face with sun-blocking creams and lotions. Restore moisture to your skin by splashing your face with cool water, giving yourself a facial, drinking lots of water and juice, and using plenty of moisturizers.

Exercise

If you already have wrinkles, you can take steps to hide and eliminate wrinkles. Exercise at least once a day to firm your skin and muscles; thoroughly moisturize your face and neck before you exercise.

To correct a droopy chin, a weak jaw, or a wrinkled neck, place the tip of your tongue on the roof of your mouth as far back as it will go; your chin, jaw, throat, and neck will tighten automatically. Repeat several times.

To firm your chin, neck, and throat, stretch your chin up high and thrust it forward, hard; at the same time, pull your head back as far as you can. Repeat this forward and backward motion several times. For a firming exercise you can do anywhere, turn your head to the left, touch your chin to your shoulder, turn your head back to center, and repeat the process to the right. Repeat several times.

To help eliminate a double chin, point your chin toward the ceiling. With your mouth closed, stick out your lower jaw as far as possible until you can feel the tendons in your neck stretch. Hold this position for a slow count of 10; repeat three times. This exercise also smooths out neck wrinkles and strengthens a weak jaw.

Face Creams and Masks

Many products claim to remove wrinkles, and many of them actually work for some people. Albumin or collagen protein creams or lotions contain collagen, the albuminoid substance that gives skin its shape. Creams and lotions that contain collagen act to fatten up and reshape cells that have lost elasticity. They can and do help smooth wrinkles, but they do not cause a drastic improvement. For a less expensive treatment, apply fresh egg white to your face; because it's rich in albumin, it will contract the skin and temporarily improve disfiguring lines. Let the egg white dry for about 20 minutes, rinse it off with warm water, and then splash your face with cool water.

Facial masks -- commercial or homemade -- that contain collagen or albumin are also effective; these include egg-based or milk masks and many other natural masks. Use the masks regularly, as directed.

Hormone creams contain estrogen, progesterone, or steroids. These creams are very controversial, but many claim fantastic results. If you want to try a hormone cream, use it as directed for a month or two -- don't expect overnight results. If you see no results, stop using the cream. If you do see an improvement after a month or two, stop using the cream for two or three months to see what happens. After this time, if you want to use it again, go ahead; follow the manufacturer's instructions.

Instant Face-Lift

Tools:

• Mirror
• Scissors
• Needle

Materials:

• Isometric beauty band, or gauze or adhesive tape
• Thin elastic tape
• Thread
• Cosmetic adhesive

Time: 5 minutes to 1/2 hour

At least two products available provide an instant facelift. One is an isometric beauty band to lift and smooth sagging facial skin; this is a handy version of a standard theatrical makeup trick, and can be purchased from most cosmetic supply houses. The second is called an instant face-lift; buy it at any shop that sells theatrical makeup, or make your own.

The instant face-lift consists of two bands over your head, to lift the skin of our cheeks, chin, and jaw. These two bands are the ear lift and the chin lift.

To make the ear lift, cut two 1-inch-long triangles of gauze. Sew one end of an 8-inch piece of thin elastic tape to one corner of each piece. Using a cosmetic adhesive, glue a piece of gauze close to your hairline and directly in front of one ear with the elastic strip aimed at the top of your head; repeat to attach the other piece of gauze in front of your other ear. Pull the elastic strips up and tie them tightly together at the back of your head.

To make the chin lift, cut triangles of gauze and sew elastic strips to them as above. Attach one triangle just below and behind each earlobe. Pull the strips up, tighten them, and tie them.

Two elastic strips, one in front of the ears and one over the jaw, lift sagging skin to smooth out wrinkles.

Cut off excess elastic. Arrange your hair to cover both the gauze wedges and the strips of elastic.

For the best results with an instant face-lift, you must use a cosmetic adhesive -- ask a theatrical makeup supplier or a cosmetologist. Or try cutting the triangles out of adhesive tape instead of gauze. Practice as necessary to achieve the results you want.

Wrinkle Cream

Wrinkle creams are expensive, and the more elegant, the higher the price. This recipe is a little unusual, but it works.

Equipment:

• Small dish
• Measuring spoons
• Measuring cup
• Mixing spoon
• Double boiler
• Electric mixer
• Clean jar with cover

Ingredients:

• Alum
• Orange flower water
• Gelatin
• Glycerin
• Anhydrous lanolin
• Spirits of camphor
• Tincture of benzoin

Note: Buy the ingredients at a pharmacy.

Yield: About 11/2 cups

In a small dish, dissolve 1/4 teaspoon of alum in 2 teaspoons of orange flower water; add 1 teaspoon of gelatin and soak until the gelatin is softened. Add 1/4 cup of glycerin and pour into the top of a double boiler; heat over low heat until the gelatin is completely dissolved. Add 8 ounces of lanolin to the mixture and stir it together slowly. Add 1/4 teaspoon of spirits of camphor and 1/4 teaspoon of tincture of benzoin; stir to blend. Remove from heat. Beat the warm mixture with an electric mixer at medium speed until the cream is cool and fluffy. Spoon into a clean jar and cover tightly.

Apply to the skin at night; massage the cream in well for 5 to 10 minutes.

In addition to treating wrinkles, you can provide extra nourishment and pampering for your skin that will make it look healthier. See the next page to learn how to make additional skin creams, toners, and facial hair bleaches.

For more information on making your own beauty products, try the following links:

• Home Remedies for Oily Skin: In this article, you will learn how to change your diet and beauty routine to combat oily skin and acne.
  
• Home Remedies for Oily Hair: Here you will find some simple solutions you can try at home to combat oily hair.
  
• Home Remedies for Dry Hair: Dry hair can result from a number of factors including the shampoo you’re using and heredity. In this article, you will learn how to relieve dry hair at home.