Wrinkles: doctors describe ways to smooth and diminish them

Doctors and skin experts cite retinoids, peptides, collagen supplements, facial massage and red LED therapy as approaches that can soften fine lines, and the article emphasizes that consistent, ongoing use is needed to see results.

Wrinkles form as skin thins and loses collagen with age. Repetitive movement, sun damage, smoking and a poor diet can accelerate their appearance. Aside from major surgery, few treatments fully erase wrinkles. The article compiles guidance from doctors and skin experts on ingredients, devices and habits aimed at smoothing lines. What experts reported: - Retinoids (a class of vitamin A compounds, including over-the-counter retinol and prescription tretinoin) are reported to promote cell turnover, thicken the outer skin layer and reduce the depth of fine lines. - Peptide-containing serums (for example, products with matrixyl or copper peptides) are reported to signal skin cells to produce more collagen and to help improve elasticity. - Facial massage and exercises, including tools like gua sha or jade rollers, are reported to improve circulation and muscle tone and to create a temporarily lifted appearance. - Oral hydrolyzed collagen supplements were reported, in a 2021 review of 19 studies, to be associated with improved skin elasticity and resilience, with benefits described as developing over time. - Red LED light therapy is reported to stimulate collagen and elastin production and to soften fine lines in some clinical studies, with consistent use cited as important. Summary: These approaches target different aspects of skin aging—cell turnover, collagen production, circulation and tissue repair—and are presented as methods that can soften texture and reduce fine-line depth rather than fully erase wrinkles. The article emphasizes that measurable improvement generally requires regular, ongoing use and that timelines for results vary.