Wrinkles are lines or creases on your skin. It’s a normal part of aging. Wrinkles that occur early in life could be the result of smoking or sun damage. You don’t need to treat wrinkles unless you want to change how they appear on your skin by using over-the-counter products, outpatient procedures or surgery to remove layers of your skin.
What are wrinkles?
Wrinkles are lines that form on your skin. They’re a natural part of your body’s aging process. Wrinkles on your skin look similar to the wrinkles you get on a shirt that needs ironed. They appear as folds, creases or ridges. They’re most often found on your face, neck and arms, but wrinkles can appear anywhere on your body.
Who do wrinkles affect?
Everyone who ages experiences wrinkles. You may be more at risk of getting wrinkles early in life if:
- You have sun-damaged skin or your skin is frequently exposed to the sun.
- You smoke tobacco products.
- Your body loses collagen, which gives your skin elasticity and support.
What do wrinkles look like?
If you look at the palm of your hand, you have lines in your skin. As you age, lines like those in your palm will form on other parts of your body’s skin.
Symptoms of wrinkles include:
- Lines, creases or folds on your skin.
- Loose or droopy skin.
Wrinkles are apparent when you’re at rest, but they may become more noticeable when you move your facial muscles by smiling or frowning.
Where on my body will I have wrinkles?
Wrinkles can appear anywhere on your skin but are most common on your:
- Face.
- Hands.
- Neck.
- Arms.
- Legs.
What causes wrinkles?
Slow skin cell production, thinning skin layers and a lack of collagen proteins causes wrinkles to form on your skin.
Collagen is a protein within your body that gives your skin structure. It provides stretchiness or elasticity so you can move easily. Your skin is similar to a rubber band. If that rubber band stretches or moves too much, the rubber band becomes loose and loses its ability to snap back to its normal size and shape. When your body’s cells age, their ability to produce proteins slows down. This makes it more difficult for your rubber band to snap back to its original shape, which causes wrinkles.
- Aging
- Facial muscle contractions
- Sun damage
- Smoking
- Environmental factors
