What are Wrinkles?

Wrinkles are lines or creases on the surface of your skin. They are a natural part of aging. But even young people’s skin can develop wrinkles if it’s damaged by too much sun or by smoking. Light from the sun contains ultraviolet (UV) rays. These can damage collagen and elastin, the parts of your skin that keep it smooth, firm and elastic. Collagen is a protein that makes up a large part of your skin. Sun damage tends to appear on exposed parts of your body such as your face, neck, forearms and the backs of your hands. Smoking also causes wrinkles. The toxins in cigarette smoke stop your skin producing as much new collagen. But the most common cause of wrinkles is simply getting older. As you get older, your skin gets thinner, more fragile and less...

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What Causes Wrinkles?

Aging and Wrinkles As aging occurs, a person’s skin cells divide more slowly, and the inner skin, or dermis, starts to thin. Wrinkles develop as we get older because natural substances such as collagen (the major structural protein in the skin), elastin (the protein that causes tissue to stretch) and hyaluronic acid (which gives skin volume), which provide the skin with structure and volume decrease with age. The skin’s ability to retain moisture diminishes; the sweat and oil-secreting glands degenerate, depriving the skin of their protective water-lipid emulsions. As a consequence, the skin becomes dry and scaly. Skin loses its elasticity; when pressed, it no longer springs back to its initial position but instead sags and forms furrows or wrinkles....

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What are the symptoms of Wrinkles?

People with wrinkles aren’t ill. But wrinkles can alter the way you look, and this may change the way you feel about yourself. Wrinkles usually start as fine lines. They tend to get deeper over time. Wrinkles are often especially noticeable on your face. Lines tend to form on your face in the places your skin folds when you smile or make other expressions. You may get wrinkles Across your forehead Between your eyebrows (frown lines) Around the corners of your eyes (crow’s feet) Around the corners of your mouth On your upper lip On your cheeks Just in front of your ears. You may also get lines around the front of your neck and on your hands. Wrinkles caused by the sun are often accompanied by other signs of sun damage, such as: A mottled...

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How can I prevent wrinkles?

Wrinkles are part of the aging process. But environmental factors such as ultraviolet radiation from the sun, pollution and smoking can dry your skin and make wrinkles appear at a younger age. There are a number of things you can do to protect your skin and delay signs of ageing. Protect your skin from ultraviolet radiation. Some sunlight is important because our skin uses it to produce vitamin D. But too much sun is harmful and can damage your skin and increase your risk of skin cancer. Always use sunscreen when you are outdoors. Wear a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses to stop you from squinting in the sunlight and don’t use sun beds. Give up smoking and spend less time in smoky atmospheres. Cigarette smoke dries the skin and...

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