The Difference Between Genetic & Situational Wrinkles, From A Derm

If you've been shaming yourself for natural skin aging, remember that to age in any respect is a privilege (not everybody gets to live until the age you're at now!). Of course, changing your mindset is certainly easier said than done, but practice makes perfect. 

Another way to encourage skin self-love is by learning more about how wrinkles work in order to give you some context as to what's happening below the surface.

It's true: Some wrinkles are actually unavoidable. No matter how many retinol serums you use, how much sunscreen you wear, or how many times you massage your skin, your complexion will begin to wrinkle at some point or another. 

Depending on your genetic makeup, this may happen sooner or later than a friend or partner, but the same factors are still at play.

"Situational wrinkles," as we'll call them, are quite different. These are the types of wrinkles that can be (in part) prevented or delayed with diligent skin care and lifestyle practices. 

A few examples include compression wrinkles from sleeping, elastotic wrinkles from chronic unprotected UV exposure, and expression wrinkles—or fine lines from smiling, laughing, and the like.

For the latter smile and laugh-induced wrinkles, the "prevention" method, so to speak, is more focused on strengthening your skin structure from within rather than limiting your facial expressions (because you should never try to laugh less).