Wisdom can appear on your face at any age – starting in your 30s and becoming more apparent over time. Although completely normal, some people would prefer to have a more youthful appearance. But as we know, aging is a part of the aging process that can be accompanied by fine lines and wrinkles. It is an inevitable part of this process.

So how can fine lines and wrinkles be reduced to promote aging well? First, we need to correctly identify the difference between the two. Read below to learn more.

What are fine lines?

As an esthetician, I know that most people have a hard time telling the difference between fine lines and wrinkles, since they are so often linked together, one almost always synonymous with the other. “Fine lines are superficial and may not be visible when the face is at rest and are smaller folds that are closer to the surface of the skin and will often disappear if the skin is gently stretched,” says Dr. Rose Ingleton, Board Certified . New York-based dermatologist and founder of the skincare brand Rose Ingleton MD. Their development can be attributed to natural facial expressions such as squinting, laughing and frowning – which occur superficially around the eyes and between the eyebrows, adds Ingleton.

What are wrinkles?

Wrinkles are more prominent and deeply set than fine lines. “They appear in deeper folds and usually don’t go away if the skin is gently stretched,” says Ingleton. Like fine lines, they appear on the face more visibly near the eyes, forehead and nasolabial folds around the mouth. They are more difficult to treat than fine lines, but their appearance can be minimized with surgery or non-invasive skin care treatments such as laser, microneedling and more. There are also two different types of wrinkles:

• Dynamic wrinkles: Those that appear only during certain facial expressions
• Static wrinkles: Those that are constantly present regardless of your current expression

What causes fine lines and wrinkles?

“Fine lines and wrinkles are signs of aging skin,” says Ingleton. And the result of the progressive loss of collagen and loss of elasticity that occurs as the skin ages, she adds. Slow skin cell turnover and thinning skin can also be causes because as we age, nutrients are delivered more slowly to the skin. Damaged skin cells are less quickly repaired, the production of new skin cells slows down, and the fat content begins to decrease.

What are the treatments and products for both?

“Topically, I recommend using a vitamin C serum during the day to support collagen synthesis and protect against oxidative damage,” says Ingleton. As a professional esthetician, I also recommend peptides as they can be very helpful for treating both fine lines and wrinkles, especially if you have dehydrated skin, as they provide hydration, protect the skin barrier, reduce inflammation and replenish the skin. If you are looking for faster results, in-office procedures for fine lines and wrinkles can be of great benefit to you. Procedures that are performed to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles include “chemical peels, botox and fillers.” says Ingleton.

Are there any preventive measures?

“The best thing you can do is apply sunscreen daily from a young age and also avoid tanning, as sun exposure will age your skin faster,” says Ingleton. Incorporate antioxidants like vitamin C and retinoids like retinol or tretinoin early in your skin care regimen.