Now that genetic researchers claim to have identified a gene mutation that leads to wrinkled skin, grey hair and hair loss in mice, it may take a decade or two to adapt the genetic code to humans and turn it off.

In the meantime, experts say there are several things we can do to stave off wrinkles and premature aging. According to the editors of “Eat This, Not That!”, the physical signs of aging such as crow’s feet and laugh lines may not be caused by the aging process alone.

Other lifestyle factors can take a toll on your physical appearance, they say, including poor diet, lack of sleep and even chronic stress.

1. The Sun. It’s really no surprise that this is the number one culprit for wrinkles. Exposure to the sun can lead to premature aging. “Sun damage results in loss of collagen and elastin which cause wrinkling of the skin,” notes Jerome Potozkin, M.D., a board certified dermatologist. To protect your skin, wear sunscreen with an SPF 30 daily and wear a hat when you are out in the sun for prolonged periods of time.
2. Pollution. A 2010 study published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology found that women who lived in urban settings have more wrinkles and age sports than living in rural areas. Make sure you wash your face thoroughly before bedtime and apply a moisturizer.
3. Lack of Sleep. Apparently, when you don’t get enough ZZZ’s the PH in your skin changes and that interferes with your skin’s ability to stay hydrated. Ideally aim for between 6-8 hours nightly.
4. Stress. When stress levels are high, the body releases the hormone cortisol which again interferes with your skin’s ability to hold moisture. On top of that, elevated blood sugar levels released under stress damage the collagen and elastin that keep skin from sagging. Find ways to de-stress by engaging in long walks, or trying yoga and meditation.
5. Sugar. Once again, sugar appears on the ‘do not eat” list. We know eating too much sugar can cause inflammation, weight gain and lead to diabetes, but from a dermatological point of view, it also wreaks havoc with the skin. “Eating too much sugar will lead to premature aging because after it is ingested, sugar goes through a process called glycation,” says Kristina Goldenberg, M.D., a board certified dermatologist. Glycation binds to collagen and elastin which weakens these proteins leading to the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Glycation also produces toxic products that further cause premature aging of the skin.
6. Smoking. No surprises here, but here is yet another reason to ‘butt out’. Smoking ages the skin in several ways. How you held the cigarette in your mouth produces fine lines and wrinkles around the lips. The nicotine in cigarettes narrows blood vessels in the skin, leaving them more prone to wrinkling because vital nutrients cannot reach the epidermis, or the outer layer of the skin.