The top 5 causes of WRINKLES!

We all get wrinkle formation eventually, but what are the top 5 causes of wrinkles?

What are Wrinkles?

When we are young, we don’t have wrinkles because skin does the job of stretching and holding in moisture. The dermis has an elastic quality thanks to fibres called elastin that keep the skin looking and feeling young.

A protein in the dermis called collagen also plays a part in preventing wrinkles.

Over time, the dermis loses both collagen and elastin, so skin gets thinner and has trouble getting enough moisture to the epidermis. The fat in the subcutaneous layer that gives skin a plump appearance also begins to disappear, the epidermis starts to sag, and we get wrinkle formation.

Number one in the Top 5 causes of wrinkles. The SUN – UV light exposure

Ultraviolet radiation speeds the natural ageing process and is the primary cause of early wrinkling. UV light causes wrinkles by breaking down your skin’s connective tissue — collagen and elastin fibres, which lie in the deeper layer of skin.

Getting Older – Genetic ageing

Skin ageing is an inevitable and natural process. Over time and with the natural ageing process your skin produces less of the proteins collagen and elastin. This makes your skin thinner and less resistant to damage

Facial expressions – Repeated movement

Facial muscles contracting on the forehead, between the eyebrows (frown lines) and crow’s feet are believed to develop contribute to the process of wrinkle development. Smiling, frowning, squinting and other habitual facial expressions cause these wrinkles to become more prominent. Over time, these expressions contribute to the top 5 causes of wrinkles.

The Great Outdoors – Environmental factors

The main of the top 5 causes of wrinkles is smoking or being close to people smoking and pollution exposure can contribute to the wrinkle formation and lines. Healthy skin constantly regenerates and forms new collagen, it has been found that smoking causes a marked reduction in the production of new collagen. Decreased collagen results in the development of wrinkles. Environmental exposure e.g. pollution causes free radical damage to the skin which leads to skin ageing and cellular damage and contributes to wrinkle formation. As above smokers tend to be more prone to upper lip wrinkles, due to repeated use of the top lip when inhaling cigarettes or vapes.

Finally Every day Stress is one of the top 5 causes of wrinkles

Stress can cause wrinkles to form because high amounts of cortisol, the stress hormone, can break down the skin’s collagen and elastin. This leads to a loss of elasticity which can contribute to wrinkle formation. Stress may also lead to repeated furrowing of your brow that may also contribute to the formation of wrinkles.

So there is the Top 5 causes of wrinkles

The good news is it is all treatable with either anti wrinkle injections like Botox, skin boosters, dermal fillers, microneedling or even Cosmeeceutical skincare can all smooth them out.