Introduction

Almost everyone gets wrinkles as they get older. There's no cure for wrinkles, but there are treatments that can make your skin look and feel smoother.

We've brought together the best research about wrinkles and weighed up the evidence about how to treat them. You can use our information to talk to your doctor and decide which treatments are best for you.

Wrinkles are lines or creases on the surface of your skin. They are a natural part of ageing. But even young people's skin can develop wrinkles if it's damaged by too much sun or by smoking.

Light from the sun contains ultraviolet (UV) rays. These can damage collagen and elastin, the parts of your skin that keep it smooth, firm, and elastic. Collagen is a protein that makes up a large part of your skin.

Sun damage tends to appear on exposed parts of your body such as your face, neck, forearms, and the backs of your hands.

Smoking also causes wrinkles. ^[1] The toxins in cigarette smoke stop your skin producing as much new collagen.

But the most common cause of wrinkles is simply getting older.

As you get older, your skin gets thinner, more fragile, and less stretchy, so it tends to wrinkle and crease.

Some people wrinkle more than others. This can happen for different reasons.

• Skin type. People with fair skin and blue eyes are more susceptible to the damaging effects of the sun than people with darker complexions. ^[2] People with Asian skin types or black skin are less prone to wrinkles than people with white skin. ^{[3] [4]}

• Dress. Some people cover up more of their skin than others. Covering up protects against sun damage.

• Jobs and leisure activities. Working outdoors increases your exposure to the sun. So do outdoor hobbies, such as sailing or golfing. ^[2]

Citations