Understanding The 4 Types of Wrinkles & What Causes Them

Wrinkles—it’s every person's dreaded nemesis. No matter how religious we are with our skincare, we all get wrinkles at some point in our lives. We must accept that they’re a natural part of beautiful aging.

You may ask: if wrinkles are inevitable, why do we even bother following a strict anti-aging regimen? Why buy the best creams, moisturizers, and serums? While we cannot avoid getting older, we can prevent premature aging. The key lies in understanding the different types of wrinkles and knowing what causes them.

1. Expression Lines

These lines result from repeated facial movements, such as smiling and frowning. They usually appear around the mouth, eyes, and forehead, where our expression muscles are located. Over time, these creases can become permanent.

Think of these natural lines as little souvenirs from the memories you’ve made as you live your best life. Let them remind you of that time at the beach when you squinted from the sun, or that moment you burst out laughing at your friend’s joke. Having dynamic expression lines means you’re not a robot. They are marks of a life well-lived.

2. Atrophic Crinkling Rhytids

You may notice those little parallel lines form in your face or anywhere on your body when your skin gets pressed for a prolonged period. For example, you may see them on your cheeks after sleeping face-down in your pillow. These creases tend to disappear when you stretch out your skin, or you shift your body position.

“Rhytids” is a medical term for wrinkles. Meanwhile, atrophy of the skin refers to how its epidermal and dermal layers lose thickness. This happens either with age or due to the loss of oil glands and fats. It might sound like a frightening disease, but “atrophic crinkling rhytids” is just a scientific term for describing wrinkled skin due to weakness.

Babies and young children don’t get these marks because their skin is plumper and firmer. As we age, our skin loses its elasticity, so these static wrinkles remain. To avoid permanent damage, identify which parts of your face and body are prone to getting these crinkles. Make sure to slather sunscreen on these parts. Additionally, include a potent moisturizer in your skincare routine.

3. Permanent Elastic Creases

These crease lines commonly show up in the cheeks, upper lips, and at the base of the neck. They become increasingly visible as we age. While we cannot stop time, we can change some of our habits that speed up signs of aging. These include forgetting to wear sunscreen every day, eating unhealthy foods, and not getting enough sleep. Smoking can also dramatically change the way we look. Aside from the lines that form around the lips, cigarettes contain chemicals and carcinogens that inhibit blood flow, restrict oxygen circulation, and dry up our skin.

4. Gravitational Folds

As you get older, you may notice your cheeks sagging or your eyes drooping. Our skin naturally folds and sags as it loses its elasticity. You can blame it on the natural laws of gravity. Genetics can play a significant role in your skin’s structure, but eventually, gravity will still take over.

When it comes to maintaining your skin’s youthful glow, prevention is always better than cure. Don’t wait until you see little lines creep in before you start paying attention to your skin. It’s never too early to change our habits, eat nutritious food, and use effective anti-aging products.

Remember, no two wrinkles are the same. Knowing their types and understanding their causes can help you find the most effective way to prevent and repair them.

If you’re looking for all-natural anti-aging products, Bluelene is your best option. Get in touch with us today to see how we can help.