Wrinkles: What Causes Them & Natural Ways to Prevent Them from Forming

When it comes to how well your skin is aging, wrinkles are probably the #1 concern. Did you know that there are different types of wrinkles? Can you prevent or slow them from appearing? Learn what exactly causes your skin to form wrinkles and why.

What are wrinkles?

The scientific term for wrinkles is rhytides. They are simply described as folds, ridges, or creases in the skin. Wrinkles are caused by degradation and decline in content of the connective tissue fibers (collagen and elastin) within your skin's dermal layer. (Collagen provides structure and strength to your skin. Elastin helps the skin stretch and makes it resilient and spring back into place. Unfortunately, they are both quite fragile.) The fibers become cross-linked, slacken, and unravel, which makes them look irregular and disorganized in older skin. This reduces the skin's strength, elasticity, structural integrity, and support function. The end result is wrinkled skin.   

Why does this happen?

• As you grow older, the ratio of collagen formation to collagen breakdown is reversed, and collagen is broken down faster than it can be made.
• The aging process activates destructive enzymes in your skin. These enzymes are called Matrix Metalloproteinases (MMPs). The enzyme collagenase cleaves the bonds of collagen, and the enzyme elastase breaks down elastin. ​
• And, to add insult to injury... damaged collagen, itself, actually prevents new collagen from forming.  

(Read much more about collagen, elastin, and the layers of your skin.)

​Intrinsic wrinkles

​You may recall from my post What Causes Your Skin to Age? The Intrinsic & Extrinsic Factors, that there are two main factors that cause your skin to age: they are the genetic and chronological factors (intrinsic) and the environmental factors (extrinsic).

Intrinsic wrinkles tend to occur in areas where your muscles contract and are caused by repeated extensions and compressions of your skin, which cause recurring injuries to your collagen and elastin. Intrinsic wrinkles are usually fine, shallow, and accentuated near expression lines.

​It is a common belief that there is very little that can be done to prevent intrinsic wrinkling, as it is often genetically determined and age-related. However, it is argued by many in the holistic health community that skin aging can be altered by using the power of nutrition, which can significantly influence the rate at which your body ages. This is because good nutrition can positively impact your genetic expression, hormones, and metabolic processes. Managing stress and engaging in physical activity also promote aging gracefully.

​​Extrinsic wrinkles 

Extrinsic wrinkles are commonly found in sun-exposed areas, but can also be caused by other extrinsic factors such as toxin and chemical exposures, pollution, humidity, sleeping positions, sleep deprivation, alcohol intake, and smoking.  They appear as both fine and deep wrinkles.  
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Extrinsic wrinkling can be controlled to a great extent by limiting exposure to ultraviolet light (sunlight, tanning beds, curing lights, black lights) and by not smoking. Under a microscope, healthy, youthful collagen consists of a fine network of fibers with no broken ends. However, the collagen in damaged skin appears degraded; the fragile collagen lattice collapses and the breaks within it produce blunt, broken ends. People in their 80’s have four times more broken collagen than people in their 20’s.  

A decrease in elasticity (elastosis) also is a player in skin wrinkling. The elastin in your skin typically lessens with age, and what remains becomes harder and thicker so your skin cannot spring back into place like it once could. Elastosis is more noticeable in sun-exposed areas (solar elastosis) and commonly occurs on areas such as the face and back of the neck. Elastosis produces the leathery, weather-beaten appearance common to those who spend a large amount of time outdoors. People with fair skin, or who have had sun burns on a regular basis, are more likely to develop this condition.
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The good news is that a healthy diet and lifestyle can also make a positive difference in avoiding wrinkling in sun-exposed sites. In the published study, “Skin wrinkling: can food make a difference?”, the authors found that skin wrinkling in a sun-exposed site in older people of various ethnic backgrounds may be influenced by the types of foods consumed.  In particular, a high intake of vegetables, legumes, and olive oil appeared to be protective against sun-related damage to the skin. (Read my posts: The 10 Best Foods for Natural Beauty & Youthful Skin and The 5 Worst Foods that Make Your Skin Look Older.) You can slow accelerated skin aging and promote collagen formation by employing healthy diet and lifestyle strategies. Just keep in mind that you may be more successful in preventing the breakdown of your skin versus trying to reverse any existing skin sun-damage. 

(Please note: I'm not a fan of blocking the sun (in healthy doses) from the skin completely.  God put that big ball in the sky for a reason!  I believe we all need some direct sunlight on our skin every day, if possible, to optimize our vitamin D levels naturally and reap the immune-boosting health benefits. Read more HERE.)

Want to learn much more?

Take my e-course about the skin & how to age gracefully:

Time Defying Skin discusses the causes of aging that you have control over. The keys to youthful skin and feeling healthy may not be that complicated or expensive after all. A nourishing diet and healthy lifestyle practices are the natural solution. It's never too early or too late. ​Take the course today!​
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References:

• Ganceviciene, R., Liakou, A., Theodoridis, A., Makrantonaki, E., & Zouboulis, C. (2012). Skin anti-aging strategies. Dermato-Endocrinology, 4(3), 308-319. doi:10.4161/derm.22804 
• Thring, T., Hili, P., & Naughton, D. (2009). Anti-collagenase, anti-elastase and anti-oxidant activities of extracts from 21 plants. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine BMC Complement Altern Med,27-27. doi:10.1186/1472-6882-9-27
• Varani, J., Perone, P., Fligiel, S., Fisher, G., & Voorhees, J. (2002). Inhibition of Type I Procollagen Production in Photodamage: Correlation Between Presence of HighMolecular Weight Collagen Fragments and Reduced Procollagen Synthesis. J Invest Dermatol Journal of Investigative Dermatology,119, 122-129. doi:10.1046/j.1523-1747.2002.01810.x
• Scali, E., & Iorio, A. (2014). Anatomy and the Aging Process of the Face. In Minimally Invasive Procedures for Facial Rejuvenation. Foster City,CA: OMICS Group eBooks.
• Hurd, R. (2014, September 15). Aging changes in skin: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. Retrieved August 7, 2015, from http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/004014.htm
• Cole, G. (2015, January 7). Wrinkles: Get Facts on Symptoms and Treatment. Retrieved June 8, 2015, from http://www.emedicinehealth.com/wrinkles/article_em.htm
• Purba, M., Kouris-Blazos, A., Wattanapenpaiboon, N., Lukito, W., Rothenberg, E., Steen, B., & Wahlqvist, M. (2001). Skin Wrinkling: Can Food Make a Difference? Journal of the American College of Nutrition,20(1), 71-80. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11293471?report=abstract
  

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