Print Overview Wrinkles Enlarge image Close Wrinkles Wrinkles Wrinkles around the mouth, eyes and neck are common with aging. The skin in these areas gets thinner, drier and less elastic. Wrinkles are a natural part of aging. These lines and creases in the skin are most likely to form on skin that's often exposed to the sun, such as the face, neck, hands and forearms. Pollutants and smoking also speed the aging process. Using sunscreen every day and quitting smoking help prevent some wrinkling. If your wrinkles bother you, many options are available to help smooth them or make them less visible. These include medicines, skin-resurfacing techniques, fillers and surgery.Products & ServicesA Book: Mayo Clinic Guide to Home RemediesAssortment of Skin Care Products for AgingShow more products from Mayo Clinic Symptoms Deep, coarse wrinkles Enlarge image Close Deep, coarse wrinkles Deep, coarse wrinkles With repeated sun exposure, wrinkles can become very pronounced and deep, especially on the back of the neck. Wrinkles are the lines and creases that form in your skin. Some wrinkles become deep and may be especially noticeable around the eyes, mouth and neck. When to see a doctorIf you're concerned about how your skin looks, see a doctor who specializes in the skin. This type of expert is called a dermatologist. Your doctor can assess your skin, help you create a skin care plan and discuss wrinkle treatments. Request an appointment CausesWrinkles are caused by several factors — some you can control, others you can't: Age. With aging, the skin naturally becomes less elastic and drier, with less fat and collagen in the deeper layers. This process results in the lines and creases typical of wrinkling. It also causes loose, saggy skin. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Ultraviolet radiation from sunlight and other sources speeds the skin's aging process, especially in people who tend to sunburn easily. It breaks down the elastin fibers and collagen in skin. Without these supportive connective tissues, the skin loses strength and flexibility. Smoking and pollution. Smoking and air pollutants speed the aging process. Repeated facial expressions. Facial movements and expressions lead to fine lines and wrinkles. For example, every time you squint, smile and frown, tiny grooves form beneath the surface of the skin. As skin ages, it loses its flexibility and can no longer spring back. These grooves then become features of the face. Family history. The genes you inherit play a big part in the look and feel of your skin. PreventionHere are some tips for slowing the effects of sun exposure and other causes of wrinkles: Protect your skin from UV radiation. Avoid indoor tanning and limit the time you spend in the sun, especially midday. When you're in the sun, wear sun-protective clothing, such as wide-brimmed hats, long-sleeved shirts and sunglasses. Also, use sunscreen every day year-round. Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, even on cloudy days. Apply sunscreen generously. Reapply every two hours, or more often if you're swimming or sweating. Wash your face and moisturize. Dry skin shrivels plump skin cells, which can lead to fine lines and wrinkles. Make it a habit to gently wash your face and moisturize it every day. Moisturizing traps water in the skin. Moisturizers often have active ingredients that are intended to reduce fine lines and wrinkles. Look for ingredients such as retinol, niacinamide and vitamin C. Many such products also come with a broad-spectrum sunscreen in them. Read the product labels for when and how to apply. Products with retinol or retinoids are not for use when pregnant. Another option you can buy without a prescription is adapalene (Differin). This is a vitamin A-derived product that can help prevent fine lines and wrinkles. It may take a few weeks or even months of regular use of the product before you notice any improvement in your skin. Or you may see no change at all. Moisturizers and wrinkle creams that you can buy without a prescription aren't classified as medicine, so they aren't required to undergo scientific research to prove they work. If you're not happy with the results, talk with your healthcare team about moisturizers with prescription-strength anti-wrinkle ingredients, such as retinoids. Don't smoke. Even if you've smoked for years or smoke heavily, you can still improve your skin and prevent wrinkles by quitting smoking. Eat a healthy diet. There is some evidence that certain vitamins in your diet help protect the skin. More study is needed on the role of nutrition in preventing wrinkles, but it's good to eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. By Mayo Clinic Staff Wrinkles care at Mayo Clinic Request an appointment Diagnosis & treatment Dec. 12, 2023 Print Show references Sullivan NA (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic. May 3, 2023. Sunscreen FAQs. American Academy of Dermatology. https://www.aad.org/media/stats-sunscreen. Accessed Jan. 30, 2023. AskMayoExpert. Sunburn. Mayo Clinic; 2022. Dermal filler do's and don'ts for wrinkles, lips and more. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/dermal-filler-dos-and-donts-wrinkles-lips-and-more. Accessed Sept. 20, 2023. 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U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/cosmetics/cosmetic-products/wrinkle-treatments-and-other-anti-aging-products. Accessed Sept. 21, 2023. Niamtu J III. Face and neck life (cervicofacial rhytidectomy). In: Cosmetic Facial Surgery. 3rd ed. Elsevier; 2023. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed Sept. 26, 2023. Niamtu J III. The aging face. In: Cosmetic Facial Surgery. 3rd ed. Elsevier; 2023. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed Sept. 26, 2023. Tanzi EL, et al., eds. Nonablative fractional laser skin rejuvenation. In: Procedures in Cosmetic Dermatology: Lasers, Lights, and Energy Devices. 5th ed. Elsevier; 2023. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed Sept. 26, 2023. Azizzadeh B, et al., eds. Topical skin care and the cosmetic patient. In: Master Techniques in Facial Rejuvenation. 2nd ed. Elsevier; 2018. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed Jan. 4, 2018. McCook JP. Topical products for the aging face. Clinics in Plastic Surgery. 2016;43:597. Fowler GC, et al., eds. Cosmeceuticals and skin care. In: Pfenninger and Fowler's Procedures for Primary Care. 4th ed. Elsevier; 2020. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed March 16, 2023. Link JL (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic. Oct. 16, 2023. Ami TR. Allscripts EPSi. Mayo Clinic. Oct. 6, 2023. Related Deep, coarse wrinkles Wrinkle creams Wrinkles Associated Procedures Botox injections Chemical peel Dermabrasion Face-lift Facial fillers for wrinkles Laser resurfacing Neck lift Show more associated procedures News from Mayo Clinic Mayo Clinic Q & A: Does collagen really help fight wrinkles and aging? May 03, 2024, 11:00 a.m. CDT Products & Services A Book: Mayo Clinic Guide to Home Remedies Assortment of Skin Care Products for Aging Show more products and services from Mayo Clinic WrinklesSymptoms&causesDiagnosis&treatmentDoctors&departmentsCare atMayoClinic Advertisement Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. 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