What Causes Wrinkles

Episode #200 / Jun 7, 2010
It's inevitable. We all get wrinkles. But what causes them? This question is so important because if we understand what causes wrinkles, then we can begin to understand how to also prevent them. In this episode of DermTV, Dr. Schultz explains what causes wrinkles.
Ally on June 7, 2010 at 4:54pm

Do sun visors made of 100% polycarbonate block out all uva and uvb rays?

Neal Schultz, M.D. on June 10, 2010 at 4:31am

@Ally: Yes they do, that's why sunglasses are made of polycarbonate. However, keep in mind that 80% of the sun's UV rays can be reflected off of light surfaces, such as white walls, water, glass, etc., and thus while a visor may protect you from UV rays streaming down at you from above, it will not protect you from UV rays that are bouncing off of something below you and affecting your skin. Thus, I always recommend that whenever you are outdoors, you apply a sunscreen with an SPF between 15 and 30 with UVA protection. Stay safe!

Ally on June 10, 2010 at 8:05pm

Thank you very much! :)

nana on June 18, 2010 at 5:25am

what about taking collagen supplements, do they help in protecting aganist wrinkles?

alania on June 21, 2010 at 4:07am

and what causes skin sagging and is it possible to prevent this?

Neal Schultz, M.D. on June 28, 2010 at 8:21pm

@nana: Collagen is a protein. Unfortunately, the digestive enzymes in your stomach break all proteins (including collagen supplements) into individual amino acids which are then absorbed into the blood stream as amino acids. The collagen supplement is completely broken down before it is absorbed. For collagen replacement, you need to either coax your skin (the dermis) into making more (which it does by then combining amino acids) or else have collagen injected through the epidermis into the dermis where it belongs.

Neal Schultz, M.D. on June 28, 2010 at 8:26pm

@Alania: Skin sagging is caused by some of the same factors that cause lines and wrinkles: loss of collagen, loss of elastic tissue, to some extent the loss of fat in the face, and of course, the forces of gravity. Premature sagging can be prevented by diligent sun protection and avoiding unnecessary pulling and stretching of facial skin, but sagging will ultimately occur as a result of biologic aging of the skin independent of sun exposure. Sorry!