Why Do Our Skins Wrinkle?

We are so into wrinkle prevention and reduction. But haven’t you asked yourself why your skin wrinkles? We are all aware that we experience skin wrinkling as we age but science also say that even young people are prone to wrinkles as a result of what is called premature aging.

The American Academy of Dermatology (2010) states that there are two kinds of aging – intrinsic (internal) aging and extrinsic (external) aging. Intrinsic aging refers to the natural aging process and the extrinsic aging, on the other hand, is the one that is commonly called the premature aging. Let’s go over with it one by one.

Intrinsic aging of the skin is an unavoidable process and is common to those who are aged between 30 to 40 years old. As we age, our cells are also getting weaker. They divide more slowly and their capability to repair damaged cells decreases. As a result, our skins become drier, thinner, and later on it will sag and wrinkle. This natural phenomenon of our aging body is the most difficult to control. But we can do something about it by nourishing our skin. We can supplement our skin with the nutrients it needed such as Vitamin A, Vitamin E and moisture. By doing so, we can help our skin cells bring back its “youthful” liveliness resulting to youthful skin. Other people, on the other hand, opt to go through surgical procedures to correct this observable fact depending on severity.

Premature aging or extrinsic aging, on the other hand, is a condition wherein our skin cells experience speeding up of the natural aging process. Our skin cells are bombarded with external “stress” causing it to age earlier than expected. Stress would refer to exposure to free radicals (including UV from the sun) and dehydration. This condition depends on the person’s skin type, smoking habits and their occupational and recreational activities. In contrast to intrinsic aging, premature aging can be prevented. The use of sunscreen and moisturizers are the most common practices. Healthy diet and good habits are also highly recommended.

These two types of aging are actually undergoing the same process – the aging process.  The recommended treatments are therefore the same. Our skins wrinkle because it is deprived of its needed nourishment caused by many internal and external factors.