How to Reduce Fine Lines & Wrinkles: A Dermatologist Guide

Fine lines and wrinkles are a top skincare concern globally. If you are seeking effective ways to reduce their appearance or preventative solutions, our expert guide is here to help. Leading Dermatologist Dr. Lee-Mei Yap shares her expert tips on how to help visibly reduce wrinkles and signs of ageing. Discover the causes of wrinkles, alongside expert advice and recommendations for the best anti-ageing skincare routine featuring key ingredients such as peptides, hyaluronic acid and retinol for more youthful-looking skin.

What Causes Fine Lines & Wrinkles?

The delicate skin across our face is often the first to show signs of ageing. Common culprits behind fine lines and wrinkles include repeated facial movements, sun exposure, and a gradual decline in collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid. As we age, skin thinning and protein loss contribute to sagging and a more pronounced appearance of lines and creases.

Dr. Lee-Mei Yap explains: "Wrinkles are a natural part of skin ageing, but several factors contribute to when and how they appear. These changes reduce the skin's firmness, elasticity, and hydration, making fine lines and wrinkles more noticeable.“

Understanding the key causes is the first step in prevention and treatment:

• Facial Movements Over Time: Daily expressions such as smiling, frowning, and squinting cause repetitive folding of the skin. Over time, these movements create permanent expression lines like crow’s feet or forehead wrinkles as muscles retain memory of these movements.
• Ageing and Thinning of the Skin: As we age, our skin naturally becomes thinner and weaker. The production of vital proteins like collagen and elastin declines, which are essential for keeping skin firm, smooth, and elastic. Their depletion thins the skin and weakens the skin’s structural framework, leading to sagging and the development of lines and wrinkles.
• Reduced Hyaluronic Acid: Natural levels of hyaluronic acid decrease over time, leaving skin drier, less plump, and more prone to the formation of lines. Hydration is key to skin plumpness and elasticity.
• Sun Exposure: UV rays accelerate the breakdown of collagen and elastin, causing premature wrinkling and uneven skin texture. Sun damage is one of the biggest causes of premature wrinkles and fine lines, and it is a significant accelerator of skin ageing.
• Lifestyle and Genetics: Factors such as lack of sleep, dehydration, stress, smoking, and genetics can influence how early and prominently wrinkles develop.

Top Dermatologist Tips on How to Reduce Fine Lines & Wrinkles

Dr. Lee-Mei Yap emphasises that a consistent skincare routine and healthy lifestyle are key in addressing and preventing wrinkles. Here are her recommendations with expert tips:

Prioritise Quality Sleep

Ensuring 7-9 hours of quality rest allows your body time to repair itself and regenerate skin cells, helping to prevent premature ageing and reduce the appearance of existing wrinkles.

Hydration is Key

Drink at least two liters of water per day – especially after exercising. If you don’t enjoy drinking water, spruce it up with fresh lemon or boost your skin’s hydration levels by drinking natural coconut water.

Your Anti-Ageing Skincare Must Have: Sun Protection

Dr. Lee-Mei Yap explains the importance: "The skin is constantly exposed to environmental aggressors, and UV rays are one of the biggest accelerators of skin ageing. UV rays speed up collagen breakdown, making wrinkles appear earlier and more pronounced." She strongly advises to "Apply a SPF50+ sunscreen daily to protect from further sun damage.“

Understand Key Anti-Ageing Ingredients

Selecting the right ingredients is crucial for addressing fine lines, wrinkles, and loss of firmness.

• Hyaluronic Acid is a powerhouse for hydrating and plumping the skin. It draws and holds moisture, deeply hydrating the skin contour and visibly replumping skin, softening the appearance of fine lines.
• Peptides are short chains of amino acids that function as signalling molecules, encouraging the skin to produce more of its own collagen and support skin renewal. They help improve firmness, elasticity, and reduce the appearance of fine lines.
• Retinol promotes cell renewal and collagen production, helping to visibly reduce fine lines and wrinkles, smooth uneven texture, and improve overall skin quality.
• Vitamin C provides antioxidant protection and helps brighten and even out skin tone, supporting collagen production.

Dermatologist Recommended Anti-Wrinkle Skincare Routine

To maximise skincare benefits and address fine lines and wrinkles, Dr. Lee-Mei Yap recommends having a structured morning and evening skincare routine:

AM Routine:

• Cleanse: Cleanse your face. Many cleansers can be too drying as we age, so opt for an anti-ageing hydrating cleanser like the Revitalift Filler Hyaluronic Acid Cleanser, with properties suited for enhancing skin texture.
• Serum: Use a face serum specifically formulated with key anti-ageing ingredients, such as the Revitalift Laser Tri-Peptides Age-Correcting Serum, which Dr Lee-Mei Yap states "is a uniquely formulated 3-in-1 serum that helps stimulate collagen production and target multiple signs of ageing. It combines Argireline™ Peptide to smooth lines and improve elasticity, Hyaluronic Acid to deeply hydrate and plump, and Vitamin Cg to brighten and even skin tone.
• Moisturise: Follow with a rich anti-ageing day cream like the Revitalift Laser Anti-ageing Day Cream. Formulated with Pro-Retinol, this face moisturiser supports skin renewal and reduce the appearance of wrinkles, plus Hyaluronic Acid to maintain hydration, and Vitamin Cg for antioxidant protection and a brighter complexion.
• Protect: Complete your morning routine with SPF protection to shield skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays. Apply a SPF50+ sunscreen daily and wear sunglasses to reduce squinting and protect from further sun damage.

PM Routine:

• Cleanse: Cleanse your face to remove makeup, dirt, and impurities. Be gentle when removing makeup to avoid stressing the skin.
• Serums: Re-apply Revitalift Laser Tri-Peptides Age Correcting Serum. For added anti-ageing benefits, layer with Revitalift Laser Pure Retinol Serum, which pairs well with the Tri-Peptide Age Correcting Serum to target fine lines, encourage collagen renewal, and refine skin texture. Pure Retinol is a potent ingredient so introduce gradually into your skin care routine to allow time for your skin to adjust. Always apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen the following morning to protect the skin.
• Moisturise: Lock in the serums with a hydrating moisturiser, as Retinol can cause dryness. This step ensures hydration and helps maintain the skin’s protective barrier overnight. Apply a rich anti-wrinkle night cream to boost your skin’s regeneration process while you sleep. The Revitalift Laser Anti-Ageing Night Cream contains Advanced Pro-Retinol and works to stimulate cell regeneration to fight sagging and other signs of ageing while you sleep!

Dr Lee Mei-Yap has taught us why choosing the right skincare products is crucial to wrinkle prevention and correction, but what about the under-eye area? Next discover her expert tips on how to reduce dark-circles and eye bags.