What Causes Wrinkles and How to Prevent and Treat Them Javascript must be enabled to use this site. Please enable Javascript in your browser and try again. × Search search POPULAR SEARCHES SUGGESTED LINKS Join AARP for just $9 per year when you sign up for a 5-year term. Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine. Leaving AARP.org Website You are now leaving AARP.org and going to a website that is not operated by AARP. A different privacy policy and terms of service will apply.
Why Do We Get Wrinkles as We Age
Sun exposure is a major reason but other factors are harder to control
Repetitive muscle movements, smoking and too much sun are leading causes of wrinkles. But even if you use sunblock religiously and , you’ll still get those lines and creases as you age.
Wrinkles aren’t a serious medical condition, but the quest to get rid of them can cost you a fortune. That’s why sales of anti-wrinkle cosmetic products alone are poised to reach over $60 billion in the U.S. by 2026. And that doesn’t even account for the billions of dollars spent on plastic surgery and other antiaging treatments. Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine. What are wrinkles anyway
Wrinkles are folds, ridges and creases that appear on your skin naturally as you grow older. They tend to show up first on your face and the body parts often exposed to the sun, like your neck, hands, arms and legs. Wrinkles occur in the dermis, or the middle layer, of your skin. This layer is made up of elastin and collagen fibers. As we age, these fibers loosen — creating those pesky lines, folds and creases — and our skin can’t hold as much moisture, which leads to wrinkles, too. “Aging is a complex process,” says Shilpi Khetarpal, M.D., a dermatologist at Cleveland Clinic. “There are various intrinsic and extrinsic factors that control how we age.” AARP Membership — $12 for your first year when you sign up for Automatic Renewal Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine. Entertainment $3 off popcorn and soft drink combos See more Entertainment offers > If you’re getting lines around your mouth from constantly sipping on a straw or puffing on a cigarette, you can limit them by changing those behaviors. But controlling your frowns or smiles is more difficult. High levels of pollution where you live can also cause lines. The wrinkles on your lower face and cheeks tend to be caused by extrinsic factors, or things within your control. They include smoking, not using sunscreen and . How to prevent and treat wrinkles
Staving off wrinkles requires preventive measures. That means and using moisturizing creams that have vitamin C and retinol, derived from vitamin A, to build up collagen, Khetarpal says. These creams don’t have to break the bank. While prices can climb into the hundreds of dollars for some high-end products, a $10 bottle of anti-aging cream is better than none. To attempt to reverse the signs of aging, there are several medical procedures you can pursue, including Botox, fillers and face-lifts. These elective cosmetic treatments often aren’t covered by insurance, , and can be a sizable out-of-pocket expense. Even if you do nothing else, Khetarpal advises that you limit your exposure to the sun’s harmful, wrinkle-causing rays. “The best thing to protect your skin is to wear a hat, wear sunscreen and avoid peak sun hours,” Khetarpal says. As for those wrinkles formed by smiling too much, consider them precious lifelines. Donna Fuscaldo is a contributing writer and editor focusing on personal finance and health. She has spent over two decades writing and covering news for several national publications including the Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Investopedia and HerMoney. More on health AARP Membership — $12 for your first year when you sign up for Automatic Renewal Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine. AARP VALUE & MEMBER BENEFITS See more Health & Wellness offers > See more Flights & Vacation Packages offers > See more Finances offers > See more Health & Wellness offers > SAVE MONEY WITH THESE LIMITED-TIME OFFERS