Taking care of our body’s biggest organ can help prevent acne, improve elasticity, and treat wrinkles [1]. And yes, guys get wrinkles, too. But, hormonal differences and societal expectations often influence how and when men care for their skin. Skin aging affects everyone, so it’s important to start your skincare journey with a personalized skincare set tailored to your skin’s needs.
So, when do guys get wrinkles? Actually, at what age do we start getting wrinkles in general? Men can start to get wrinkles in their early to mid 20s [2]. That said, testosterone levels play a large role in the skin’s biology, and subsequently, its appearance as it ages [3].
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What Causes Wrinkles?
First things first, it’s important to know that there are two primary types of wrinkles [4]:
- Dynamic – These premature wrinkles form due to muscle movement. Repeated squinting over the years can form crow’s feet while bright-eyed smiling can form smile lines around the outer corners of the mouth [5].
- Static – These wrinkles form due to the natural loss of collagen and skin elasticity that occurs with age. However, they may also form as a result of sun exposure and smoking [6].
Luckily, knowing the difference between dynamic and static wrinkles can equip you with the knowledge to target the underlying cause.
Usually, wrinkles begin appearing in men after the age of 25 as collagen production begins to slow down [7]. However, many factors will affect the onset of signs of aging.
Generally, you can break down the causes of wrinkles into two categories: things you can control and things you can’t. Some of the things you can control include exposure to [8]:
- UV rays
- Pollutants
- Smoking
Those less controllable factors include [9]:
- Aging – With age, your skin produces less collagen and oils. Your skin also loses fat, which can cause the skin to look looser and more wrinkled [10]. Nourish your skin with a custom night cream to properly hydrate and stimulate collagen production while you catch up on sleep.
- Genetics – Your DNA decides your skin’s structure, texture, and how it ages. Those with fair skin will see the effects of aging more prominently, which may include wrinkles from sun exposure [11].
While you can’t control your genetics or the process of aging, you can reduce your likelihood of experiencing premature aging by protecting your skin from the sun and avoiding pollutants and smoking.
We’ll discuss more strategies for preventing and minimizing wrinkles later.
How Genetics Can Affect Skin
There are a lot of subtle differences that explain the difference in aging skin between men and women.
The major differences come down to hormones. Androgens are male sex hormones, like testosterone, that have a major effect on the skin (among other things) [12].
The average adult man has about ten times as much testosterone as the average adult woman, which can lead to significant skin differences [13]. Some of those hormonal and biological differences include:
- Skin thickness – For one thing, men’s skin is 25% thicker than women’s skin on average. In addition to literally having thicker skin, men also lose collagen and elastin more slowly [14]. This means that their skin appears younger and more toned and can retain its shape whereas a woman’s skin might develop wrinkles from the same repeated movements [15].
- Oil production – Men’s skin produces more oil because their sex hormones activate the oil glands [16]. While that extra oil is an unfortunate recipe for acne, especially during puberty, it can also delay the development of wrinkles because the skin is better moisturized [17]. Routinely washing your face twice a day with a gentle facial cleanser can help regulate oil production.
- Anatomical differences – Men have certain structural differences compared to women. One such difference is a larger opening in the skull around the eyes, which has less bone support. This could explain why men might be more likely to notice signs of aging around their eyes [18].
- Facial hair – Some theorize that facial hair may protect the skin. Why? It can block UV light and provide structural support for the skin, potentially reducing the onset of wrinkles [19].
That said, the differences in how men age aren’t all biological.
Rather, some include gendered behaviors related to social expectations surrounding skincare. In other words, men typically don’t prioritize skincare as often as women.
For example, men over 50 are more than twice as likely compared to women to die of skin cancer. This stark difference likely arises from increased sun exposure, reduced sun protection (like sunscreen), and decreased likelihood of seeking medical attention [20].
That said, sun exposure can also contribute to signs of aging [21].
How to Prevent and Reduce Wrinkles
There are two key strategies when it comes to wrinkles and fine lines: prevention and reduction.
Prevention is all about controlling your risk factors. To help prevent premature aging, add a broad-spectrum sunscreen of at least SPF 30 to your skincare routine. Opt for an SPF moisturizer that locks in moisture and protects your skin from harmful UV rays.
Does moisturizing prevent wrinkles? A moisturizer with SPF is particularly helpful because dry skin can worsen the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles [22].
In addition to a good moisturizer, skincare products that include retinoids will prevent your skin from developing fine lines [23]. Other ingredients to look for in your skincare formulations include [24]:
While aging may be inevitable, there’s no shortage of skincare ingredients that can help minimize the appearance of wrinkles and even delay their development.
Personalized and Proven Skincare
Men don’t develop wrinkles quite the same as women do, largely due to uncontrollable hormonal differences.
That said, you can control the products you put on your skin.
If there’s one thing you know now, it’s that each and every person’s skin is different. Why spend time and money on skincare products that aren’t specially formulated for your individual skin type and concerns? With PROVEN, custom clinically effective skincare is just a click away.
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