Why Does Skin Wrinkle?

Although wrinkles are a part of aging, in some situations wrinkles form when a person is in his 20s or 30s. Too much sun exposure is the main reason for premature aging. But heredity, a bad diet, and alcohol and drug abuse can also make a person more susceptible to wrinkles. There are a series of chemical changes that happen in the skin that brings about wrinkles

Dry Skin

Dry skin is more prone to wrinkles than oily skin. The dry skin shows the lines and wrinkles because the skin is less hydrated.

Sun Damage

The sun emits ultraviolet rays that dry out the top layer of the skin, or the epidermis. Sun exposure also damages the skin.

Less Collagen

Collagen is a protein in the dermis, the middle layer of the skin. Collagen keeps the skin strong, but as a person ages the body produces less collagen, so the skin is less able to repair itself.

Less Elastin

Elastin is also a protein in the dermis. It gives skin its elasticity and ability to stretch. But with age, less elastin is produced, and the skin starts to sag and show wrinkles.

Smaller Fat Cells

The bottom layer of the skin is called subcutaneous tissue. It is filled with fat cells that keep the skin plump and full. As a person ages, the size of fat cells diminishes and the skin becomes thinner, making wrinkles more noticeable.

References

• Wrinkles