But it could also be that some of those faint lines aren’t permanent ones and are simply a sign that your skin is feeling a bit dehydrated. When our skin is moisturized, it appears more supple and plump—and when it’s not, the opposite happens. So just take fine lines as a signal from your skin that maybe it’s time to re-evaluate your skin care routine. Holistic plastic surgeon Anthony Youn, M.D., previously told us that this is especially true for those in their 20s and early 30s, confirming that fine lines on the forehead, under eyes, and in the nasolabial folds are usually the result of extremely dehydrated skin rather than aging. But it’s not only important to amp up hydration for immediate, aesthetic benefits. Chronically dry skin will, in fact, lead to permanent fine lines, notes board-certified internal medicine physician Zion Ko Lamm, M.D.: “People don’t realize this, but dry skin can cause inflammation, which can lead to premature aging.” To address this, be sure to look at your hydrating creams and topicals—it might be time to upgrade to something richer or add a hyaluronic acid serum to the lineup. You’ll also want to consider internal skin care. Beauty supplements can help address skin hydration with ingredients like phytoceramides, hyaluronic acid, collagen, and more. Youn also suggests you may need to focus on additional healthy aging topicals that support the skin structure if you’re finding the fine lines remain more permanent. “This can be true if you are young and relatively wrinkle-free, but if you’re older—it’s not just dehydration that causes wrinkles. Hydrating the skin can reduce the visibility of wrinkles temporarily, but it isn’t a solution,” he says. “Make sure to use a retinoid and vitamin C, exfoliate, and consider noninvasive options like IPL and micro-needling with PRP for real aging reversal.”
