Wrinkle prevention

Dr. Erik Austin answers: How can I prevent wrinkles?

i am open to wrinkle treatments yet i want to first try like heck to prevent wrinkles in the first place


Erik Austin, DO, MPH
21 months ago

This question is answered with the typical advice to reduce sun exposure and use a good sunscreen when in the sun. Assuming that you already know the basics and are careful with sun exposure, I would like to stress that you should obtain and use a good topical antioxidant or anti-aging prescription, which can help to reverse the damage caused UV light exposure.

Beware of over-the-counter, cosmetic products as they are typically not as research-based as prescriptive medication and are often disappointing. There are thousands of over-the-counter antioxidant and wrinkle creams, and, by and large, you should generally avoid these preparations. For one, they do not often work as claimed. Secondly, they may dry out and irritate your skin. Thirdly, cosmeceutical products (bought in department stores, pharmacies, health food stores, or in some physician offices) are often oily and can clog pores and cause acne or other skin disorders.

Often, key ingredients in these non-prescription cosmetic creams oxidize quickly and deteriorate a short time after they are applied, that is, before they can be absorbed by the skin. When looking for a good topical antioxidant or other anti-wrinkle therapy, one must make the distinction between a “cosmetic non-medical product” versus a “prescription or medicine.” Cosmeceuticals and cosmetics are not as heavily regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as are actual medicines. In short, cosmeceuticals have the same limited governmental regulation as do over-the-counter “cosmetics” – this means that the product developers are not required to have a high level of scientific proof that their particular cosmeceutical or cosmetic product actually works.

Don’t deplete your pocketbook on over the counter products; instead, ask your dermatologist for prescription-based, medical antioxidants and anti-wrinkle creams.

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