What Causes Wrinkles?

There are many things that most patients experience in their lifetime. Teenage years bring acne and growing older means getting wrinkles. 

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You may wonder what causes wrinkles and the appearance of skin aging — truthfully there’s not one contributing factor to the development of wrinkles — there are many.

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Keep reading to learn what causes wrinkles and skin aging.

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Your Age

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Wrinkles are an unavoidable part of the aging process. This is because as you age, your cells tend to divide more slowly and your skin loses elasticity and hydration. In deeper layers of skin, there also tends to be less fat and collagen, which makes your face look less full and exacerbates the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. 

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Radiation from the Sun and Other Sources

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UV (ultraviolet) radiation is radiation that comes from the sun and other sources and causes the skin to age. The radiation breaks down the collagen and elastin fibers in your skin. In response, your body produces an enzyme called metalloproteinase that makes new collagen. Some of your healthy collagen fibers can get damaged during this process and this results in solar elastosis, or the disorganized formation of fibers.

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When this process is repeated over and over, wrinkles develop because it is done less efficiently each time.

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Habits Like Smoking and Vaping

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Smoking and vaping have been shown to cause a reduction in how much new collagen your body produces. This reduction in collagen production is what then causes wrinkles to form and contributes to your skin showing signs of aging.

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Environmental Pollution

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Along with environmental factors such as sun exposure, pollutants in the air can also cause the collagen in your skin to break down. Some of the most common skin-damaging pollutants are:

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• Particulate Matter: Particulate matter is a mix of microscopic solids and liquids that linger in the air. This can include dirt, dust, and smoke.
• Nitrogen dioxide: Nitrogen dioxide is a gas that commonly exists in today’s atmosphere. It’s typically concentrated near cars, manufacturing centers, and construction sites.
• Soot: Soot is a very microscopic material that is produced when something burns and is often introduced into the environment by vehicles and manufacturing processes. 

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Repeated Facial Movements or Expressions

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Repeatedly doing facial expressions or movements can lead to the formation of wrinkles. As you laugh, smile, squint, and frown, this creates tiny groves in the layers of your skin. When you’re young your skin can easily bounce back, but as it loses elasticity with age, it cannot and that’s when permanent wrinkles and lines form.

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It’s incredibly common to get wrinkles as a result of facial movement — that’s why “crow’s feet” (wrinkles by your eyes) and “laugh lines” (wrinkles around your mouth) are familiar terms to most adults.

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Family History

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Just like you get the color of your eyes and the likelihood you develop certain conditions from your parents, genetics also play a large role in when you develop wrinkles and how severe they are. 

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Luckily, skin aging doesn’t have to be left entirely to chance. Maintaining healthy habits like wearing sunscreen daily can help keep your skin looking young. If you’re concerned about getting wrinkles, be sure to consult with your dermatologist for personalized advice.

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The information on this site is for informational purposes only and should not replace direct medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment from your doctor or another qualified healthcare provider.

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Sources:

“Wrinkles.” Mayo Clinic.

“Wrinkles.” Cleveland Clinic.