Here are some surprising things women need to know about wrinkles.

Wrinkles are a natural part of the aging process.  As we get older, our skin naturally becomes less elastic and more fragile.  Decreased production of natural oils dries our skin and makes it appear more wrinkled. Fat in the deeper layers of our skin diminishes and that can cause loose, saggy skin and more pronounced lines and crevices.  Here are some surprising things women need to know about wrinkles.

• Hydration – drinking enough water helps your skin stay soft and supple.  When your skin is dry, wrinkles stand out even more because thirsty skin tends to look flat and dull which brings out fine lines and creases.  Staying hydrated also removes toxins from the body, which can have a negative effect on your skin.
  
• Veggies – brightly colored fruits and vegetables like raspberries, blueberries, bell peppers and spinach contain powerful antioxidants, which help your skin to fight back against damaging free radicals.  When your skin is healthy, fine lines are less apparent and skin doesn’t sag.  As a rule of thumb, a heart-healthy diet is a skin-healthy diet.  Look for foods that are high in vitamin C and E.
  
• Windows – did you know that being in your house and driving your car pose a risk of sun damage?  UVA rays that cause the majority of wrinkling in the skin can penetrate your windows even when it’s not sunny.  It’s a good idea to put on a broad spectrum sunscreen every day and if your car doesn’t have tinted windows, consider having them installed if you spent a lot of time driving.
  
• Sleep Position – if you are partial to a particular side while you sleep, you could be increasing your chances of wrinkles on that side.  As you age, the connective tissue and collagen in your face isn’t as strong as it used to be. So when you sleep on the same side of your face night after night, the skin gets repeatedly squished up against the pillow, and won’t smooth out or spring back as quickly as it did when you were younger.
  
• Expressiveness – often the first wrinkles to appear are those crinkles around the eye area from your smile.  Regardless of age, the first wrinkles are generally related to repeated facial expressions and include laugh lines, frown lines, forehead folds and crow’s feet.
  
• Eyesight – if you find yourself with wrinkles in the eye area, it may be an indication of a different problem.  You may be overcompensating for vision issues by squinting, which contracts the muscles in the forehead, between your eyebrows.  Over time, you can exacerbate the appearance of these creases.  Get your eyes examined.  If you address the problem, you can soften the appearance of fine lines since the muscles won’t have to work as hard and can relax.