Wrinkles are folds or creases on the skin that develop over time. They usually form on parts of the body that are exposed to the sun like the face, arms, and legs or areas that are affected by habitual sleeping positions like the face and neck. Wrinkles could also occur temporarily due to prolonged immersion in water.

Wrinkles are of two types. The first type is fine lines or creases that appear on the surface of the skin.

Wrinkles are primarily caused due to aging. Other factors that contribute to the onset of wrinkles are smoking, the type of skin (People with a lighter complexion are prone to more wrinkles), genetics, and exposure to the sun. Two factors that can be controlled are smoking and exposure to the sun.

While it is not possible to prevent wrinkles altogether, it is possible to reduce their appearance or delay their onset.

Some of the ways to treat wrinkles are as follows:

• Retinoids: Retinoids are proven to be effective against wrinkles. They help combat signs of aging like uneven skin tone, age spots, blotchiness, creases, and roughness. Retinoids are strong and can cause peeling, but once the peeling stops, a person will be able to see the results of this treatment on their skin.
• Alpha-hydroxy acids: Alpha-hydroxyl acids are called fruit acids. They comprise of lactic acid and glycolic acid. These acids are mild and do not irritate the skin. Because they are mild, the results are subtle and may take more time to show up.
• Antioxidants: Antioxidants that include vitamins A, C, and E and beta carotene help reduce and reverse the damage caused by free radicals. They provide sun protection to an extent, though they cannot replace sunscreens.
• Moisturizers: Moisturizers help reduce the appearance of wrinkles. More accurately, they make them less noticeable but do not make them go away.
• Glycolic acid peels: These fruit peels can lead to a reduction in wrinkles.
• Deep peels: Unlike glycolic acid peels, peels that use salicylic acid and trichloroacetic acid work their way deeper into the skin. As a result, they are more effective in making the skin smooth. But the use of deep peels can lead to some side effects like scarring of the skin or uneven pigmentation. So, it is best to consult a dermatologist before using them.
• Dermabrasion: Dermabrasion is the process of sanding the skin to smoothen it. It is essential to get this procedure done by a trained professional or else it could lead to skin scarring.
• Laser resurfacing: Lasers can be used to stimulate the production of collagen in the skin. Collagen helps plump up the skin and smooth out wrinkles and fine lines. Consult the doctor about the possible side effects and recovery period involved with the use of different types of laser treatments.
• Injections: Injections like Botox ensure that the muscles are relaxed and lead to a reduction in fine lines on the forehead and around the eyes.