Not all wrinkles and lines are created equal – some are caused by sagging skin while others are the result of spending too much time in the sun. in order to treat each wrinkle properly, it’s important you familiarize yourself with the four main types.

Crinkle Lines

In dermatology’s lingo these lines are called atrophic crinkling rhytids, but we like to call them fine lines. Fine lines are the easiest to prevent and treat since they are still not a full blown wrinkle.

Normally, fine lines will start to appear in our 30s, although they can appear much earlier in smokers and sun-bathing enthusiasts.

Prevention and treatment. Boost your skin with moisture. Use products that improve the blood circulation in the skin and contain active ingredients that restore youth, firm, tighten and revitalize the skin.

Fine line wrinkles. Photo: Istock.

Dynamic Expression Lines

As their name implies, these lines are caused by facial expressions. The repetitive muscle movement creates creases in the skin that deepen in time and become wrinkles. Although genetics is a major factor with this type of wrinkles, smoking and sun damage can also contribute greatly. Normally, expression wrinkles will show on your forehead and around your eyes.

Prevention and treatment. Protect yourself from the sun and if you’re smoking, just stop. In addition, use skin care products that contain retinol, which has the ability to reduce wrinkles and loss of elasticity, as well as hyaluronic acid for skin hydration.

Dynamic wrinkles. Photo: Istock.

Permanent Elastic Creases

Elastic creases are the direct result of too much sun exposure, pollution, smoking and other environmental factors. Usually, elastic wrinkles form around the upper lip, cheeks, neck and décolletage.

Prevention and treatment. Yet again, protect yourself from the sun and stop smoking. Once you’ve done that, moisturize, moisturize, moisturize using products that contain vitamins (specifically vitamin C), hyaluronic acid and peptides that increase collagen production.

Permanent Elastic wrinkles. Photo: Istock.

Gravitational Folds

Gravity plays a leading role in our aging process. As we mature, or following an extreme weight loss, our skin tends to lose volume and sag, being pulled downwards by gravity. One of the most common of gravitational folds is the nasolabial fold – the familiar two parallel lines that form along each side of our nose, running down towards our mouth.

Prevention and treatment. Boost your skin with products that contain collagen nourishing peptides and dimethyl MEA – a firming agent.