5 Things That Can Cause Wrinkles

Wrinkles are a natural part of aging and develop when the skin becomes thinner and less elastic over time. While they’re ultimately inevitable, there are factors that contribute to the development of wrinkles to varying degrees.

Here’s what you need to know about the causes of wrinkles.

Factors That Contribute to Wrinkles

1. Age

As you get older, the production of collagen and elastin fibers slows. Your skin naturally becomes less elastic, causing it to sag, wrinkle, and appear leathery. Also, your skin becomes dry and wrinkled due to decreased production of natural oils and fat in the deeper layers of your skin.

2. Exposure to UV Light

Sun damage is cumulative and tends to speed the natural aging process. The oxidative stress from UV rays decreases collagen production and breaks down elastin fibers, which lie in the deep layer of skin. Without these connective tissues, your skin loses its flexibility and strength, resulting in a leathery, crepey appearance.

3. Repeated Facial Expressions

Smiling, laughing, frowning, squinting – these facial movements and expressions can all leave their mark. These movements employ facial muscles, which form a grove beneath the surface of the skin when used. And because of the aging process, the skin loses its flexibility and is unable to spring back to its original state when exerting these muscles. As a result, laugh lines, crow’s feet, and forehead creases become permanent features on your face.

4. Smoking

Smoking contributes to skin wrinkling in different ways. To begin with, squinting and pursing the lips while taking a drag contracts the muscles around your mouth and forms fine lines on the face. Harmful products in tobacco also affect the skin’s elasticity, color, texture, and chemical makeup. Nicotine causes the blood vessels to narrow, limiting the amount of blood oxygen, and nutrients that nourish the skin. Heat and toxic fumes also interfere with the production of collagen.

5. Sleep Position

Sleeping on your side or stomach causes your skin to fold over on itself and create creases. With repetitive pressure on the skin as well as a decline in collagen levels, these lines stick around and deepen over time.

At The Skin Clinic, we offer a wide range of skincare products and treatments that can help prevent, delay, or improve the appearance of wrinkles. To learn more, call us at (480) 513-2888 or book an appointment online.