What Causes Wrinkles? Expert Insight

Did you know that there are almost 1 million searches for aging-related skin care concerns in the United States every month? US Google users are searching for Botox over 50% more than they did last year.

It’s clear from the statistics that many people are worried about wrinkles. They want to know what the causes of wrinkles are so they can get ahead of the game. Many people want to optimize their skincare routine to help keep their skin looking healthy over the long term.

In this article, we will walk you through everything you need to know about what causes wrinkles and how to optimize your skincare for the long term.

What Causes Wrinkles?

There are a wide variety of factors that can contribute to the development of wrinkles.

Most people are well aware that aging wrinkles the skin. This is because skin cells start to divide more slowly as people age, and the collagen and elastin fibers loosen.

Some of the fat that forms right under the skin begins to deteriorate over time. This allows the skin to become flabby and start to develop wrinkles.

Facial movements over time can also contribute to wrinkles. When you are performing repetitive movements like squinting, smiling, or frowning often, the skin begins to adapt. The muscles over time don’t relax but stay in a contracted state.

When this is combined with gravity, wrinkles can form.

Risk Factors and Lifestyle Modification

Of course, aging and facial movements are impossible to stop. But here are some important factors that you might be able to change yourself.

Sun exposure can contribute to what is known as photoaging. Over time, lifetime exposure to UV rays can cause severe skin damage. Generally, the darker a person’s skin, the more protection they have from sun radiation.

UV rays can also loosen and damage collagen fibers. They can make elastin fibers become disorganized and accumulate abnormally.

Retinoid and moisturizer creams combat this process. These treatments aim to nourish fibrous tissue in the skin and prevent breakdown.

Free radicals in our foods, cigarettes, and sunlight can all contribute to wrinkles. Free radicals damage the skin by accelerating the breakdown of collagen.

Finally, many people note that smokers tend to appear older than they are. Premature wrinkles can form due to harmful toxins in tobacco during use. These activate special enzymes that can wreak havoc on collagen and elastin.

Getting Ahead of Wrinkles

So what causes wrinkles?

At the end of the day, there are a wide variety of factors that contribute to wrinkle formation. Some of these are impossible to control. For example, you can’t control the fact that you will naturally age with time or that you need to make facial movements every day.

However, you can reduce exposure to toxins like free radicals and smoking. You can also choose to be conscious about your UV exposure over time.

If you enjoyed this article about understanding wrinkles, please check out our other articles health and beauty articles!