Though wrinkles are a part and parcel of the ageing process, premature wrinkles are a cause of concern for many. Some of the common causes of wrinkles on skin are -

Over exposure to sun - The damage caused by the ultraviolet rays of the sun is known as photoageing.

Smoking - Smoking hastens the ageing process. The large amount of free radicals produced by cigarette smoke is one of the biggest culprits for premature wrinkles. Free radicals can play havoc with the skin, damaging it to an alarming extent.

Pollution - Environmental factors such as exposure to air pollutants, dust, chemicals and harsh lights can cause wrinkles on skin over a period of time.

Repeated motions such as squinting can cause wrinkles around the eyes. These are referred to as "crow's feet". Smiling and frowning can also cause laugh lines around the mouth or frown lines on the forehead.

Drug use

Stress

Weight Loss - Rapid weight loss can cause wrinkles as the volume of the fat cells (which have a cushioning effect) are drastically reduced. This causes the skin to sag and crease.

Loss of Vitamin E - Depletion of this important vitamin can cause the skin quality to deteriorate.

Answered by Shweta Singh , an ibibo Advisor, at 5:55 PM on October 16, 2008

Fine lines and wrinkles are an unavoidable part of the aging process. As we grow older our skin becomes dryer and less elastic. Most people begin to develop fine lines and wrinkles by the age of 30 or 35. However, overexposure to the sun can greatly enhance the aging process. Sun exposure promotes the formation of deep wrinkles and furrows, along with changes in pigment and skin texture.

Source: http://www.skinandhealth.com/detail s/wrinkles_faq

Answered by sk , an ibibo Advisor, at 4:25 PM on October 16, 2008

With age comes wrinkles, but the cause of those grooves, creases, lines and hollows is more than just the natural aging process. Heredity plays a major role, and the environment you subject your skin to, from excessive sunlight to harsh pollution, could be stripping your complexion of its youthful glow.

Visible signs of aging on the face may be inevitable, but the causes that lead to its severity aren't all out of your control. Both intrinsic and extrinsic factors impact the wrinkling of your skin, with intrinsic being heredity, and extrinsic being those from your environment, such as smoking, alcohol, pollution, diet, wind, and (the big one) sun damage.

Sun damage

The sun's harsh ultraviolet (UV) radiation makes it the leading cause of aging skin and skin cancers. The rays break down collagen and elastin fibres, the major structural protein in your skin, thus causing slackening, sagging, and, of course, wrinkling. Sun damage, or photo-aging, also leads to pigmentation problems, such as freckles, yellowing, visible blood vessels and dark "age spots."

Smoking and pollution

In addition to decreasing your chances of living to a ripe old age, cigarettes also decrease your likelihood of growing old gracefully: the act of smoking pinches the skin around the lips, causing deep wrinkles over time; the resulting decreased blood supply diminishes nourishment to the skin; and the smoke itself affects the skin's clarity - and all of these factors cause premature aging of the skin. Pollution, too, harms the skin's health.

Answered by Alok , an ibibo Master, at 2:13 PM on October 16, 2008

Fine lines and wrinkles are an unavoidable part of the aging process. As we grow older our skin becomes dryer and less elastic.

Most people begin to develop fine lines and wrinkles by the age of 30 or 35. However, overexposure to the sun can greatly enhance the aging process.

Sun exposure promotes the formation of deep wrinkles and furrows, along with changes in pigment and skin texture.

Answered by Seema , an ibibo Master, at 1:52 PM on October 16, 2008