Wrinkle Causes
Wrinkles are simply folds and creases in the skin. Curses can be heard worldwide each morning as men and women inspect their faces in the mirror for this sign of aging. A number of factors contribute to the formation of wrinkles.
Heredity: We inherit a predisposition for the deterioration of the skin’s building blocks, the fibrous protein known as collagen found in the dermis. If you look at your parents and grandparents, you will have a good idea of the pattern of wrinkling you might expect to see in yourself. Unfortunately, we cannot choose our ancestors so we cannot prevent this predisposition to wrinkling.
Sun Damage: Collagen deterioration is accelerated by the sun’s rays. The Ultraviolet B (UVB) rays and the longer Ultraviolet A (UVA) rays of the sun penetrate into the dermis, causing the breakdown of collagen and the formation of wrinkles, as well as other signs of sun damage: dilated superficial blood vessels; pigment changes; and scaly patches.
Muscle Pull: Consistent tension in a particular area of the face due to a habitual facial expression can result in a permanent furrow. Frown lines between the brows, fine lines around the eyes (better known as crow’s feet), and smile lines extending between the nose and mouth are common examples of muscle pull furrows.
Gravity Changes: Young skin, because of its elasticity, can withstand gravitational pull. With age, degeneration of the collagen and elastin in the dermis makes the skin more susceptible to the pull of gravity causing it to sag. Droopy upper eyelids and bags under the eyes and jowls are common examples of the impact gravity can have on the face. The “mirror test” shows you how gravity may have affected your facial aging. Lying on your back, hold up a mirror and examine your wrinkles looking at the depth of creases and angles over the bones. Now, lay the mirror flat on the table and gaze down into it. You will notice that certain areas of your skin are looser than others.
Of all of these, the single greatest contributor is sun damage. Sun damage causes wrinkles, dilated blood vessels, texture changes and uneven color over the surface of the skin. We are unable to change our ancestry; however, we can prevent many of the signs of aging, by wearing sunscreen with an SPF of 45 or greater on a regular basis.
