Wrinkle

Wrinkle is a fold, ridge or crease in the skin or on fabric. Skin wrinkles typically appear as a result of aging processes such as glycation, habitual sleeping positions, loss of body mass, or temporarily, as the result of prolonged immersion in water. Age wrinkling in the skin is promoted by habitual facial expressions, aging, sun damage, smoking, poor hydration, and various other factors.

Causes

Wrinkles are caused by a variety of factors, including:

• Aging: As people age, skin cells divide more slowly, and the inner layer, called the dermis, begins to thin. The network of elastin (the protein which causes skin to stretch) and collagen fibers (the major structural proteins in the skin), which support the outer layer, loosen and unravel, causing depressions on the surface. With aging, skin also loses its elasticity, is less able to retain moisture, oil-secreting glands are less efficient, and the skin is slower to heal. All of these contribute to the development of wrinkles.

• Facial expressions: Lines between the eyebrows (frown lines) and lines jutting from the corner of the eyes (crow's feet) are believed to develop because of small muscle contractions. Smiling, frowning, squinting and other habitual facial expressions cause these wrinkles to become more prominent. Over time, the expressions coupled with gravity contribute to the formation of jowls and drooping eyelids.

• Sun damage: Ultraviolet radiation, which speeds the natural aging process, is the primary cause of early wrinkling. Exposure to the sun causes most of the wrinkles and age spots on the face. In fact, sun exposure is the number one cause of wrinkles and is in many ways as bad for the skin as smoking.

• Smoking: Smoking can accelerate the normal aging process of your skin, contributing to wrinkles. This may be due to changes in the blood supply to your skin.

Prevention

Prevention of wrinkles includes lifestyle choices, dietary measures and skin care methods. Some of the preventive measures include:

• Sun protection: Protecting skin from the sun is important for preventing skin damage. This can be achieved by wearing protective clothing, applying sunscreen, and avoiding the sun during the peak hours of 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• Healthy diet: A healthy diet can help the skin stay healthy and youthful. Foods rich in antioxidants can help protect the skin from damage.

• Avoid smoking: Smoking can accelerate the aging process, leading to wrinkles. Avoiding smoking can help prevent wrinkles.

Treatment

There are various treatments available for wrinkles, including:

• Topical treatments: These include retinoids, antioxidants, and moisturizers.

• Dermabrasion: This procedure involves removing the top layer of skin with a rapidly rotating brush.

• Laser resurfacing: This procedure involves removing skin layer by layer.

• Chemical peel: This procedure involves applying a chemical solution to the skin to remove its outer layers.

• Botox: This procedure involves injecting a purified form of botulinum toxin into the skin.

See also

• Skin aging
• Photoaging
• Rhytidectomy
• Botox
• Dermabrasion
• Chemical peel

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