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Definition
By Mayo Clinic staff
Wrinkles are a natural part of aging. As you grow older, your skin gets thinner, drier and less elastic. And it becomes less able to protect itself from damage. As a result, wrinkles, lines and creases form in your skin. Although genetics are the most important determiner of skin texture, a major contributor to wrinkles is spending too much time in the sun. Smoking also can cause premature aging of your skin.
If your wrinkles are bothering you, you have more options than ever to help eliminate or at least diminish their appearance. Medications, skin resurfacing techniques, fillers, injectables and surgery top the list of effective wrinkle treatments.
- McCullough JL, et al. Prevention and treatment of skin aging. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences. 2006;1067:323.
- Renova (tretinoin cream). U.S. Food and Drug Administration. http://www.fda.gov/cder/foi/label/2002/21108s1lbl.pdf. Accessed Nov. 25, 2008.
- Rabe JH, et al. Photoaging: Mechanisms and repair. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 2006;55:1.
- Soft tissue fillers. American Academy of Dermatology. http://www.aad.org/public/Publications/pamphlets/SoftTissueFillers.htm. Accessed Nov. 25, 2008.
- Kafi R, et al. Improvement of naturally aged skin with vitamin A (retinol). Archives of Dermatology. 2007;143:606.
- Facial skin rejuvenation. American Academy of Dermatology. http://www.aad.org/public/publications/pamphlets/cosmetic_facial.html. Accessed Nov. 25, 2008.
- Helfrich YR, et al. Overview of skin aging and photoaging. Dermatology Nursing. 2008;20:177.
- Mature skin. American Academy of Dermatology. http://www.aad.org/public/Publications/pamphlets/MatureSkin.htm. Accessed Nov. 25, 2008.
- Baumann L. Cosmetics and skin care in dermatology. In: Wolff K, et al. Fitzpatrick's Dermatology in General Medicine. 7th ed. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2008. http://accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=3007166&searchStr=xerosis. Accessed Nov. 25, 2008.
- Freiman A, et al. Cutaneous effects of smoking. Journal of Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery. 2004;8:415.
- Physician's guide to cosmetic surgery: Facial surgery and skin care surgical procedures. American Society of Plastic Surgeons. http://www.plasticsurgery.org/medical_professionals/publications/Physicians-Guide-to-Cosmetic-Surgery-Facial-Surgery.cfm#. Accessed Nov. 25, 2008.
- Rados C. Science meets beauty: Using medicine to improve appearances. FDA Consumer Magazine. http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/2004/204_beauty.html. Accessed Aug. 20, 2008.
- Just M, et al. Effect of smoking on skin elastic fibres: Morphometric and immunohistochemical analysis. British Journal of Dermatology. 2007;156:85.
