Wrinkles and Fine Lines

Wrinkles are creases, folds or ridges in the skin. Most commonly, wrinkles appear as we get older.

Wrinkles are an inevitable part of the natural aging process. As we become older our skin gets thinner, drier and less elastic. Our skin’s ability to protect itself from damage is also reduced as we age. Eventually, wrinkles, creases and lines form on our skin. Apart from the factors mentioned above, a person’s genetic makeup also influences how wrinkly we become, and when and where wrinkles start appearing.

Most basic wrinkle treatments, if they have any effect, tend to help reduce the fine lines. For deeper creases more aggressive techniques are required, such as plastic surgery or injections (fillers).

What are the main factors that cause wrinkles?

Apart from the normal aging process, the following factors are known to promote the development of wrinkles:

Smoking – experts say that the link between regular smoking and the accelerated aging of skin is due to a reduced blood supply to the skin.

Light skin – people with light skin tend to experience a higher level of sun damage, which usually accelerates the development of wrinkles.

Genetic factors – if your parents developed wrinkles earlier than other people, your chances of also doing so are significantly higher than somebody whose parents developed wrinkles later than others.

Clothes – people who tend to wear hats and long sleeves usually develop wrinkles later in life compared to other people of the same skin type.

Some jobs – people whose jobs expose them to more sunlight tend to become wrinkly earlier than others. Examples include fishermen, farmers, sailors, golfers, tanning booth employees (UV exposure), and gardeners.

Exposure to UV (ultraviolet light) – apart from those mentioned above who have jobs that expose them to more sunlight, people who spend considerable time out in the sun during their leisure hours are more likely to develop wrinkles earlier.

Facial expressions – people who repeatedly smile, frown, or squint will develop fine lines and wrinkles earlier than other who do not do these facial expressions so often. According to the Mayo Clinic, each time we use a facial muscle a groove forms under the surface of the skin. When you are young the skin springs back, but as it gets older and loses its flexibility springing back becomes harder and less frequent, resulting in more permanent grooves.