Beware These 4 Surprising Wrinkle Risks

The sun isn’t the only threat to your skin. These culprits also might add lines to your face.

1 CONTACT LENSES

It’s not wearing contacts per se that causes wrinkles; it’s the habit of raising your brows to put them in that’s the problem. Over time, that repetitive motion can cause the skin on your forehead to wrinkle.

2 LACK OF SLEEP

Your skin is repairing itself during those hours when you are conked out, so depriving yourself of a good night’s rest will lead to a dull complexion. That said, don’t sleep on your stomach. Your pillow can cause wrinkles, and sleeping on your stomach prevents fluid from draining away from your face, which can increase puffiness around the eyes.

3 AIR POLLUTION

Daily exposure to smog, cigarette smoke, and car exhaust damages the skin’s barrier—the outermost layer—leading to oxidative stress and premature skin aging. Look for skin-care products that are high in antioxidants, and use a gentle cleanser at night to wash away outdoor residue.

4 YOUR PHONE

A 2008 study suggests that high-energy visible light (aka blue light) emitted by fluorescent and LED bulbs, flat-screen TVS, computer screens, tablets, smartphones, and other digital devices can penetrate the deeper layers of the skin. “The consequences may include premature aging, wrinkling, and sun spots,” says Jeffrey Fromowitz, MD, a dermatologist in Boca Raton, Florida. Also, staring down at your phone all day causes lines and wrinkles to form on your neck— a corollary to the painful condition sometimes dubbed tech neck.