How And When Wrinkles Form
After the age of 30 changes start to occur in the nature of the skin and body as less human growth hormones (HGH) are secreted. The skin starts to age more rapidly, as the skin cells die faster than the body can produce new ones; also the quality and quantity of collagen is reduced.
The cellular structure of the skin changes as the connective tissue and the elastic fibres that help keep the skin supple begin to deteriorate.
The support (the dermis) underneath the epidermis (surface skin) loses its firmness, as new cells do not replace old cells fast enough; then folds form and the epidermis collapses into the fold-your first wrinkle is formed. Usually these folds start to form in places on the skin where there is constant and repetitive movement of the muscles, such as around the eyes, or in a permanent '11' mark between the eyes.
Age 20 to 25 - During these years, skin is generally in good condition because skin cells are still regenerating at a fast rate and acne problems from teenage years are subsiding. Vertical wrinkles caused by frowning and other facial expressions on the forehead, also those that appear between the eyebrows, can just be visible. Fine lines at the external edge of the eyes are barely noticeable.
Age 25 to 35 - This is when wrinkles begin to deepen in the epidermis, caused by the slowing down of cellular renewal and by the superficial drying out of the skin. A wrinkle at this stage will only be less than 0.5 microns (0.0005 millimetres) in depth. The slowdown of cell regeneration can make skin appear duller. Freckles and sunspots begin to show up or become darker. Frequent facial expressions such as squinting and smiling turn into fine lines around eyes, between brows, and at the corners of the mouth.
Around age 40 - Deeper wrinkles and laughter lines appear; these are more than 0.5 microns in depth. Crow's feet, fine lines around the lips, the lines between eyebrows, and furrows alongside the nose are beginning to deepen. Skin begins losing its elasticity and facial features begin losing volume. The loss of collagen and elastin as well as declining levels of the hormone estrogen in women result in deeper wrinkles, as well as loss of firmness, elasticity, and moisture. Lips are also becoming thinner, due to the disintegration of underlying support structure.
Around 50 - The onset of the menopause causes hormonal secretions to come to an end. Skin is much thinner and wrinkles formed in the previous years deepen. From this age the face suffers from bone loss and a decrease in the structural support of the face. The loosening of ligaments in eyelids may make them droop, impairing reading and vision. The ageing process starts to accelerate.
How loss of volume in the skin affects how we look
The loss of volume caused by age results in an elongated face, and hollows in the temple, cheeks and jaw appear, caused by fat loss under the skin. Folds appear around the nose and mouth; also the jaw line and lips becomes less well defined.
