Obviously the aging process cannot be stopped, nor should it be. However, in a culture that values youthful appearances, it can affect various aspects of our personal and professional lives. So it is no wonder that the cosmetic surgery industry has been booming. There are those, however, that are not comfortable with going under the knife, or going under at all for that matter. For those, and the ones that are not looking for results that are as drastic, there are injectables and fillers. Here are some treatments that require no anaesthetic and no scalpel.

Why do we Get Wrinkles?
There are several reasons why we get wrinkles, but three specific reasons are the major offenders. Over time skin loses fat and produces less hyaluronic acid – a substance that retains moisture – which is why moisturizing is a great step toward warding off wrinkles. However, as a result of this loss, mature skin becomes thinner and drier than younger skin.

Secondly, as skin ages, collagen and elastic fibres in the dermis break down, reducing skin’s ability to snap back from smiles and other facial expressions. Furthermore, exposure to sunlight accelerates the process, especially due to UVA rays, which penetrate deeper into the skin than UVB. Minimize the effect by wearing broad-spectrum sun block (look for ingredients like mexoryl, helioplex and avobenzone) and apply an antioxidant cream daily. To build collagen, look for products with vitamin A, peptides or growth hormones.

Lastly, movements that cause the skin to repeatedly crease in the same place, such as smiling and brow raising will wear down the underlying tissue in that specific spot, creating a line that remains after muscles relax. While you should never stop smiling, you can limit other motions that deepen crow’s feet, for instance, by always wearing sunglasses to keep from squinting in the sun.

Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid (also called Hyaluronan) is a component of connective tissue whose function is to cushion and lubricate. Hyaluronic acid has been nicknamed by the press as the "key to the fountain of youth" because it has been noted that at least some people who ingest a lot of it in their diets tend to live to ripe old ages. Hyaluronic acid fillers can be injected directly into wrinkles to restore volume loss. While collagen is thin and more viscous, it is used to apply under the thin layer of skin under the eye; whereas hyaluronic acid, which is denser and lasts longer, is better suited for filling the nasolabial area (the lines from nose to mouth). There are very minor risks that include bumpiness and bruising of the areas, but usually the swelling lasts 1 to 2 days then disappears. To avoid getting bumps, massage the area within the first 24 hours to smooth it out.