Wrinkles are the creases or grooves in your skin that start as fine lines, before deepening over time as a natural process of aging. As we age, our skin loses its thickness and elasticity, resulting in skin atrophy, laxity and wrinkling. These are often aggravated by other external factors and frequently appear on sun-exposed areas.
Causes of Wrinkles
Pollution
Exposed to pollution can trigger the release of skin damaging free radicals. Additionally, pollution worsens the effects of accelerated oxidative stress by sun exposure.
Sun Exposure
Exposure to the sun’s rays is one of the main factors for skin ageing via oxidative stress.
Smoking
The chemicals and nicotine inside cigarettes are responsible for a rise in the amount of free radicals in the skin. They intensify the effects of sun exposure, leading to oxidative stress.
Nutrition
Anti-oxidants are molecules with the ability to neutralise the free radicals that damage skin and speed up skin ageing. A diet lacking in antioxidants will do nothing to help slow down general skin ageing.
Types of Wrinkles
Dynamic wrinkle lines are temporarily formed while making a facial expression and will not appear when the muscles are relaxed.
Over time, dynamic wrinkles become permanent wrinkles when there is continuous formation of facial expression.
Common Areas with Wrinkles
Neck Lines
Neck lines are caused by skin losing elasticity and being exposed to UV light over time. It is formed by repeatedly looking down at the phone, smoking, or not using sunscreen.
Atrophic Wrinkles Between Eyebrows
Atrophic wrinkles are the “11 lines”; the deep furrowed wrinkles that run parallel between the eyes. These lines form with the gradual breakdown of collagen and elastin in the skin.
Crow’s Feet Eye Wrinkles
Crow’s feet wrinkles are the little lines spreading out from the corners of your eyes.
Laugh Line Wrinkles
Laugh lines are static wrinkles in the skin of a person’s face that appear around the outer corners of the mouth and eyes.