Wrinkles are lines and creases that appear on our skin as we grow older. The older you are, the more wrinkles you have! Some people think they are beautiful, and others are worried about getting them. What do you think?
Wrinkles are a natural part of the aging process. As you age, the skin becomes less elastic. You start making less of the natural oils that keep your skin from drying out. Fat begins to disappear from the deeper layers of your skin. All this causes the skin to loosen and make lines and crevices.
Exposure to sunlight is the main reason for getting wrinkles earlier in life. Ultraviolet rays in the sunlight break down the collagen and elastin fibers in your skin. Without the supportive connective tissue, your skin loses strength and flexibility.
You may notice temporary wrinkles in your hands and feet after a long bath or swim. Some think that this "pruning" effect is because the layers of the skin don't absorb water evenly. It could also be due to blood vessels narrowing, causing tissue to contract. Scientists have observed that nerve-damaged skin doesn't wrinkle in water. This shows that pruning is a reaction of the nervous system. There are also theories that it's an adaptation that allows us to handle wet objects.
The next time you take a bath, try and see how long it takes before wrinkles show up!