Natural Process
Aging Americans spend $12 billion annually on cosmetic procedures to diminish wrinkles and other signs of aging, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC). As you age, your skin becomes more fragile and loses its elasticity. In addition, fat cells beneath the dermis (inner layer of the skin), which give skin its plump appearance, start to shrivel. This causes a thinning of the skin, making it more vulnerable to damage that appears in the form of sagging, lines and wrinkles. As skin loses its natural moisturizing abilities, it can also become scaly and dry. Gravity only makes matters worse by adding to the formation of limp eyelids and jowls.
Facial Expressions
Repetitive facial expressions and movements (frowning, squinting, smiling) cause fine lines and wrinkles to appear. According to the Mayo Clinic, every single time you use a facial muscle, a crease forms beneath the surface of the skin. As skin ages, it is less able to bounce back into place. Over time, these creases become permanent.
Smoking
Smoking can speed up the normal aging process of your skin and cause premature wrinkling. The Mayo Clinic says the nicotine in cigarettes causes a narrowing of the blood vessels in the outermost layers of your skin.This inhibits the blood supply to your skin and prevents it from getting the oxygen and nutrients (vitamin A) it needs for optimum health. In addition, many of the chemicals in tobacco smoke can break down the connective fibers (collagen and elastin) that maintain your skin's elasticity and strength.
Sunlight
The UMMC says ultraviolent radiation (UVA or UVB) from sun exposure is responsible for approximately 90 percent of premature skin aging (photaging). According to the Mayo Clinic, ultraviolet radiation significantly speeds up the aging process. Ultraviolet radiation infiltrates the layers of the skin. While both UVA and UVB rays have damaging effects that lead to wrinkles and skin cancers, it's not completely understood how they cause harm.
Both UVA and UVB rays cause damage to the body, including genetic injury, wrinkles, aging skin disorders, and skin cancers. Exactly how they cause this damage is not yet fully understood
Fast Weight Loss
If you lose weight too quickly, the amount of fat cells that cushion the face also diminish before chemicals in the skin have time to react, according to the UMMC. This can lead to wrinkles and sagging skin and cause an overall emaciated appearance.
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