Wrinkles
are visible creases on the surface
of the skin. Wrinkles appear when
the formation of new collagen and
elastin is reduced. This is commonly
caused by the aging process but can
also be sped up by exposure to sunlight,
smoking, emotional stress and diet.
Most wrinkles are associated with
aging changes in skin and a wrinkle
may be permanent if the fold is the
same way each time.
Skin
ages all over the body, the cells
divide more slowly, and the inner
layer of skin (the dermis) starts
to thin. Fat cells beneath the dermis
begin to atrophy (diminish). In addition,
the ability of the skin to repair
itself diminishes with age, so wounds
are slower to heal. The thinning skin
becomes vulnerable to injuries and
damage.
The
sweat- and oil-secreting glands atrophy,
depriving the skin of their protective
water-lipid emulsions. The skin's
ability to retain moisture then diminishes
and it becomes dry and scaly.
Frown
lines (those between the eyebrows)
and crow's feet (lines that radiate
from the corners of the eyes) appear
to develop because of permanent small
muscle contractions. Habitual facial
expressions also form characteristic
lines.
Many products and procedures promise
to reduce wrinkles. Some do little
or nothing (like the products that
claim they reduce "the appearance
of fine lines," which means that
they don't reduce the lines themselves).
Others can achieve a fair amount of
success.
Some of these factors are beyond our
control. The main preventive measures
we can take are to minimize sun exposure
and not smoke.
Wrinkles
are visible creases on the surface
of the skin. Wrinkles appear when
the formation of new collagen and
elastin is reduced. This is commonly
caused by the aging process but can
also be sped up by exposure to sunlight,
smoking, emotional stress and diet.
Most wrinkles are associated with
aging changes in skin and a wrinkle
may be permanent if the fold is the
same way each time.
