Wrinkles - Internal Factors

Wrinkles are a consequence of the ageing process of the skin. These are folding or creases on the surface of the skin that start as a temporary stage and then gradually become permanent as the muscle tissues lose their elasticity. Here are few factors that contribute to skin ageing and subsequent wrinkling.

CHRONOLOGICAL AGEING

The skin is a complex organ and is composed of as much as three layers. With time, these layers of cells tend to become weak due to constant use and exposure. The cells and muscle tissues also have the property of elasticity which they gradually loose with age. The skin does not age uniformly. Some parts may become old earlier than others. This causes permanent depressions in the skin which do not disappear even when the skin is at rest, called wrinkles.

HORMONAL CHANGES AND GRAVITY

Hormones are also responsible for ageing of the skin, especially in females. Women tend to develop wrinkles in the skin when they hit the menopause stage of their reproductive cycle. The decrease in the estrogen levels is found to be the cause for this. Although how much does the hormone level trigger wrinkling and skin ageing is still not established.

Another important contributor is gravity. Our body is constantly under the pull of the earth’s gravitational force. As we age the skin does too and eventually is not left with enough strength to fight this pull. So it starts to sag and droop down causing the surface to wrinkle.