As of: January 31, 2024, 12:57 p.m
By: Juliane Gutmann
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Wrinkle-free skin is considered beautiful.
The youth craze is reflected in increasing numbers of cosmetic surgeries in industrialized nations.
But there are far gentler and more natural methods.
68,206 people had facial surgery for aesthetic reasons in Germany alone in 2020 and 2021.
As the
Association of German Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons
further informs, this corresponds to a 12.9 percent increase compared to the previous year.
“Wrinkle treatments with botulinum continue to be the frontrunners, with hyaluronic treatments in second place,” says the 2022 treatment statistics.
Anti-wrinkle creams as a “pure waste of money”
The sales market for anti-wrinkle creams and beauty treatments from beauticians is also large.
There is no proven benefit for most procedures – some of which are extremely expensive.
Stiftung Warentest,
for example,
tested beauty drinks with collagen that are said to have a rejuvenating effect on the skin.
The conclusion: “The benefits of these 15 beauty drinks have not been proven.
We do not have any evidence-based studies that demonstrate a clearly visible effect of the respective product in its composition for users."
In order to stay looking youthful for as long as possible, some men and women go for facials regularly.
But does it really have a rejuvenating effect?
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But anti-wrinkle creams have to work against wrinkles, right?
The advertising leaves no doubt: hyaluronic acid, vitamin E and Q 10 in face creams are supposed to smooth wrinkles and make the skin appear more youthful.
But these advertising promises should also be questioned with skepticism: “This is a complete waste of money,” said dermatologist Josef Pilz from Munich in the
Welt
interview: “Creams do not have a deep effect in the skin, their potential effect fizzles out on the surface.” The molecules of the active ingredients are simply too big to penetrate the cornea.
So only the outer layer of skin is cared for and no anti-aging process is stimulated in the deeper layers of the skin: “... regardless of how expensive the cream is,” says Pilz.
Skin survey
What really works against wrinkles
Stiftung Warentest, the best-known German consumer organization, published seven tips that should really help against wrinkles:
The right care: According to Stiftung Warentest, cleaning in the evening is particularly important because soot and fine dust particles on the skin apparently cause it to age faster, according to the report.
A cream adapted to the skin type provides moisture and oil, which protects the skin from drying out and thus also from wrinkles.
Take sun protection seriously: Along with smoking, UVA radiation is one of the main factors that causes skin to age quickly.
Sunscreen not only prevents sunburn and thus the development of skin cancer: sunscreen can also counteract premature skin aging.
Don't neglect sleep: When we sleep, the body and therefore the skin regenerates.
Become a non-smoker: The longer you smoke, the faster your skin ages - even more so in women than in men, according to the
German Cancer Research Center
.
It goes on to say that the skin of smokers who consume 20 cigarettes per day has already aged ten years more in middle age than that of non-smokers.
As much exercise as possible: Skin with good blood circulation looks rosy and fresh.
The entire metabolism is also boosted by exercise and thus also the cell metabolism and the renewal of the cells.
Eat balanced: Getting all the nutrients you need promotes the elasticity and health of the skin.
Drink enough water: Drinking enough water cannot prevent the aging process, as the knowledge magazine
GEO
informs.
But it is true that the skin is less elastic if the body loses more than about three percent fluid.
The reason: The tissue receives less blood supply and as a result dries out.