What are Wrinkles?

Wrinkles are visible creases in the skin, mostly associated with aging changes. As aging occurs, a person's skin cells divide slower, and the inner skin, or dermis, starts to thin.

Most wrinkles are associated with aging changes in the skin. As aging occurs, a person's skin cells divide more slowly, and the inner skin, or dermis, starts to thin. Fat cells beneath the dermis begin to atrophy, and the underlying network of elastin and collagen fibres, which provides scaffolding for the surface layers, loosens and unravels. Over time skin loses its elasticity and when pressed, it no longer springs back to its initial position but instead sags and forms furrows, or wrinkle lines.

Frown lines (those between the eyebrows) and crow's feet (lines that radiate from the corners of the eyes) appear because of persistent small muscle contractions. Habitual facial expressions also form characteristic lines, contributing to the formation of jowls and drooping eyelids.

Common Causes
Wrinkles can develop because of:

1. Sun exposure
2. Normal aging changes in the skin
3. Smoking

Statistics

• 69% of women are concerned about their wrinkles
• By age 20 90% of sun damage has occurred