What Are Wrinkles and What Causes Them?

Although it’s more common to hear women complain about wrinkles compared to men, the fact is, we all get our share of wrinkles sooner than later. How soon and how many is largely determined by lifestyle, genetics, and skin care. No matter what, time will make an impression, but there are things you can do to help minimize its mark.

Understanding What Causes Wrinkles

In order to understand what causes wrinkles, it’s important to understand that your skin (your body’s largest organ) is made up of three layers: the epidermis, dermis, and hypodermis. The epidermis is essentially the surface of your skin and this is where you’ll notice wrinkles. But what’s going on beneath epidermis explains why those wrinkles appear in the first place.

Youthful skin is rich in elastin and collagen, both of which keep the surface of your skin (the epidermis) smooth and, for a while, wrinkle-free. Aging depletes your skin’s natural stores of collagen and elastin. At the same time, fat decreases in the hypodermis, or subcutaneous layer, way beneath the surface where you can’t see what’s going on. Combine these two natural processes with moisture depletion in the epidermis and you can expect to see signs of sagging and wrinkles.

Even though wrinkles are just another part of the aging process over which we have limited control, there are ways to keep wrinkles in check for as long as possible.

Ways to Combat the Appearance of Wrinkles

Give your skin a little boost by staying hydrated and avoiding harmful UV rays from sun exposure. Make sure you wear sunblock daily and add extra protection with sunglasses and a hat before spending significant time in the sun. Skincare products, like moisturizers, many of which already contain SPF, help your epidermis retain moisture, protecting against the dryness that causes wrinkles over time.

Procedures that Help Wipe Away Wrinkles

At Abington Aesthetic, we have a range of treatments and services, from injectable dermal fillers, Fraxel® treatments, and plasma resurfacing, all designed to help you manage the appearance of wrinkles.

Call our office today to schedule a consultation and explore which wrinkle treatment is right for you.