8 Simple, At-Home Tricks to Disguise Wrinkles if You Can’t Get Your Cosmetic Treatment

Fillers like Juvederm® are ideal for improving the appearance of deep physical depressions on the face, such as creases, scars, and hollow areas. The smooth, transparent gels plump up the inner layers of skin to act as a substitute for some of the protein, fat, and moisture that you lose with aging. Of course, patients can’t always get an appointment right away for fillers in the midst of a pandemic, so some people may be unsure about whether they want to commit to fillers and so are looking for other options. Beyond this concern, you may not be able to get to an appointment, may suddenly have a something come up and not have time to go for an in-office treatment, or may simply want to enhance the wrinkle concealing effects of BOTOX® or similar treatments, since injectables reduce wrinkles but can’t completely get rid of them. There are some straightforward skin-helping strategies available for anyone who wants—but can’t get—Juvederm®. Newton’s Dr. Holly Happe explains that while these tips aren’t going to be as effective at smoothing wrinkles as an aesthetic procedure would be, they can still be used to quickly provide smoother-looking skin in a pinch. And you don’t even have to leave home.

1) Keep Your Skin Hydrated

Wrinkles always look magnified on skin that’s dry and papery. About half of your skin’s content is water, and the gradual age-related loss hyaluronic acid that retain water makes your skin become drier as the years pass. Although moisturizers won’t stop wrinkles, they do help to pull in and hold onto water, giving your skin a more supple and youthful appearance. Consider drinking more water, and use a hyaluronic acid moisturizer and serum in your daily routine.

2) Use More Antioxidants

Antioxidants are vitamins and minerals that not only neutralize harmful molecules in the surrounding environment—such as air pollution, dust, and cigarette smoke—but also help to repair wrinkles and other types of damage. Some of them also decrease inflammation and boost collagen production. This is why skincare experts recommend slathering on retinoids and skin products containing vitamins C and E, as well as green tea, to enhance your skin quality. Think of it like this: Not using medical-grade skincare is like going to the dentist twice a year and not brushing your teeth between visits. In other words, you are not getting the most from your procedures if you are not using high quality skincare with vitamins A, C, E and peptides, which fulfill 98 percent of your skin's vitamin needs.

3) Choose a Lightweight, Sheer Foundation

Your goal for makeup is to blur any wrinkles rather than highlight them. Although many people think that the solution to hiding wrinkles is covering them with thicker makeup, this can have the opposite effect of what’s intended. The heavier the foundation, the more pronounced and obvious your wrinkles will look when the product settles into your skin.

4) Nix Powders

Powder is a substance that gets stuck in wrinkles and draws attention to them, so you’ll be wise to be careful about how you use it. It’s better to use it sparingly while avoiding wrinkled areas, or get rid of it altogether. You could also use a makeup setting spray.

5) Try Some New Pillowcases

If you tend to sleep on your side or stomach with your face pushed into the pillow, or toss and turn a lot at night, the friction and pressure against your skin can cause permanent wrinkles to form after a while. You can solve this by swapping your pillowcases for ones made from silk. The best solution, however, is to train yourself to sleep on your back. Consider putting a beanbag pillow on either side by your upper thighs so that you can't turn over as easily. This strategy will take time, but Dr. Happe emphasizes that it’s worth it in the long run.

6) Use Concealer

Concealer is a fast way to hide wrinkles like crow’s feet, but be sure to use just a small amount of it, ensure that it’s the right shade for you, and blend it well. Anything that’s overly thick, dry, matte, or cakey could make your wrinkles stand out more, so choose a thin concealer that reflects light, hydrates, and gives you natural-looking results.

7) Focus on Your Eyes

When done right, eye makeup is one of the easiest ways to detract from wrinkles. Avoid any shimmery, glittery, or frosted products that will stick to lines and emphasize them. Choose lighter and more neutral shades of eyeshadow, and add volume to your lashes.

8) Blur the Lines

If you haven’t already, try using blurring creams before you put on your makeup to instantly even out your skin.

For more wrinkle-reducing tips, contact the Dr. Happe Medical Aesthetics team by calling (617) 597-2600 or, if you prefer, fill out a contact form to set up a consultation for dermal fillers or another cosmetic procedure.