Crepes may be delicious, but crepe skin? Not as much.
The term describes skin that appears thin and wrinkled, similar to crepe paper, and typically lacks the elasticity, thickness, and firmness of youthful skin.
“Unfamiliar skin is primarily an aesthetic issue, but it can also be an indicator of potential health problems,” said board-certified dermatologist Dr. Shoshana Marmon told HuffPost. “Because it usually develops as a result of significant sun damage, individuals with wrinkled skin may be at an increased risk of developing skin cancer. Also, because crepe skin is thinner and less elastic, it may be more prone to bruising and tearing, which can lead to infection if not cared for properly.”
Much creams And lotions claim to lessen the appearance of wrinkled skin, and medical treatments are available to anyone who wants to take care of them quickly. We spoke to experts who thought about what works best and if there’s anything you can do to prevent crepe skin from forming in the first place.
Why and when crepey skin forms.
As Marmon has suggested, crepey skin is mostly caused by sun exposure. “A common misconception is that wrinkled skin is purely a result of aging, but lifestyle factors like sun exposure and smoking are major contributors,” she said. “While everyone is prone to crepey skin, so are those with lighter skin tones who are more prone to sun damage particularly endangered.”
Sun exposure causes it The skin loses volume due to dehydration. “It doesn’t retain water in the same way because the integrity of the skin is compromised,” said board-certified dermatologist Dr. Shani Francis to HuffPost. This leads to deterioration collagen and elastin, the proteins that retain water and thus help skin maintain its structure.
Any UV radiation, even in the solarium, can lead to the formation of wrinkled skin. “It’s really not the sun itself — it’s ultraviolet radiation,” Francis explained. “Any type of ultraviolet radiation damages and breaks down collagen and elastin tissue.”
Genetics also play a role. “If you look at your parents who have cream skin, you know you need to start prevention a little earlier,” Francis said.
According to Marmon, many women notice flaky skin around the time they have a stroke menopause This is because the drop in estrogen during this time accelerates the breakdown of collagen and elastin, leading to thinning of the skin with a loss of moisture and fat.
“It starts around middle age and gets worse with age,” Francis repeated. “The elastic fibers are very strong from the start. In the mid-twenties, 30-year-olds, the skin rips back immediately. Once you’re 40, it doesn’t quite work that way anymore.”
Specialist in dermatology dr Noelle S. Sherber told HuffPost that wrinkled skin caused by UV damage usually appears around the eyes, chest, and backs of hands. Some people also see it above the knees and on the inner arms.
What you can do to prevent wrinkled skin.
wear and tear sun protection might seem like the most obvious way to ward off wrinkled skin, but Francis said another method might be more effective.
“You don’t see light through the clothes — that’s better,” she said. “Sunglasses, a hat, these things are always better than.” sun protection because they are in place. Sunscreen doesn’t last. It’s not permanent. Much more comprehensive is sunscreen instead of sunscreen. I always tell people, think of sunscreen as your last line of defense.”
Nancybelle Gonzaga Villarroya via Getty Images
Apply sunscreen to the areas that clothing and accessories can’t cover. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends a waterproof product that offers broad spectrum protection with an SPF of 30 or higher.
Some over-the-counter options to try for crepey skin.
Marmon wants to tone down expectations for results from over-the-counter treatments that claim to eliminate the appearance of wrinkled skin. “While creams, moisturizers, lotions and especially sunscreen are helpful in maintaining skin health and eliminate all signs of aging it’s next to impossible,” she said.
However, topical products containing ingredients such as retinoids, alpha hydroxy acids, peptides, growth factors, hyaluronic acid, and antioxidants, when used regularly, can help stimulate collagen production, thereby improving skin quality.
“These products typically take several months to realize their potential benefit,” Sherber warned, adding that a high price doesn’t equate to a higher likelihood of results. “It’s a misconception that only quality skin care products can tackle wrinkled skin when consistent use is far more important than price.”
You want to make sure the moisturizer you choose also contains water to help rehydrate the skin. “Water is the number one moisturizer,” Francis said. “A big mistake people make is to rub oil on skin when it’s already dehydrated because that only improves the barrier.”
Francis loves especially Products with niacinamide, a form of vitamin B3 to help reduce the appearance of wrinkled skin. It can also be taken as a supplement.
Sherber offered a simple way to test whether a moisturizer is thick enough to provide adequate hydration: “If you open the jar and turn it upside down and it doesn’t drip, it should be a good barrier support product.”
Doctor-led treatments to treat wrinkled skin.
On May 15, the Food and Drug Administration approved Juvederm’s first skin booster, Skinvive, to improve skin smoothness in adults over the age of 21. The booster is an injectable hyaluronic acid with a serum texture that has been used abroad for years and is called Volite there. “Unlike bulking agents, which add volume, skin enhancers replenish the skin’s deep moisture levels and can provide fantastic results in improving skin quality, particularly in areas of thin skin that tend to be crepey in texture,” explained Sherber.
Other injectables like Radiesse and Sculptra stimulate the body to synthesize collagen. Options such as radiofrequency skin tightening and fractional, non-ablative lasers stimulate the body’s natural healing process and result in the production of new collagen and elastin, promoting thicker and more elastic skin. “Both can significantly improve skin quality,” Sherber said.
For specific anatomical areas, such as around the eyes, she recommended neuromodulators like Botox to reduce wrinkling.
Still, “While we can somewhat improve the appearance of wrinkled skin, the aging process is unstoppable and inevitable,” Marmon said. “It’s important to have realistic expectations of what to expect from antiaging products, regardless of what they claim to do. Aging is a natural part of life and much better than the alternative.”
Do you want to improve the youthful appearance of your body skin? Try one of these skin care products for your body that contain retinol.
HuffPost may receive a percentage of purchases made through links on this page. Each item is independently selected by the HuffPost Shopping team. Subject to price and availability changes.
A skin-smoothing body lotion with encapsulated retinol
This non-greasy and lightweight lotion from Versed contains 0.10% encapsulated retinol, a more stable delivery method of the ingredient to brighten the skin and improve elasticity. It also contains a blend of cocoa butter and vitamin E, which may help protect skin from environmental damage at the cellular level.
An argan oil body butter with gentle pro-retinol and antioxidants
