Wrinkles are a common skin condition that is characterized by folds, ridges or creases on the skin on various parts of the body like face, arms or neck. The most common cause of wrinkling of skin is due to aging; apart from this we can see the wrinkled appearance of skin when it is immersed in water for a long duration of time. The latter is temporary in nature and reverts back to normal skin when the moisture from the skin gets removed.

The wrinkled skin due to aging or expressions or moisture is something that is natural and can not be avoided completely. Other factors that cause the condition are damage of skin due to sun exposure and dehydration, smoking, ill effects of some medications and unhealthy life style.

Types of wrinkles

Wrinkles can appear at many places in the human body with the following being the most common

Back part of the hands
Below eyes
Forehead
Face and cheeks
Neck area
Wrinkles are generally classified into three forms as follows:

Surface lines
This type is shown in the form of appearance of fine lines or folds on the skin , which are visible only from close distance. Most of the wrinkle treatment solutions focus on the removal of these fine lines.

Deeper Furrows
These are the more visible and larger folds of skin which are generally irreversible without surgery. They are mainly caused due to aging.

Wrinkles due to aging
Wrinkling of the skin due to aging can be considered to be inevitable. As we grow old , our skin gradually loses the strength and elasticity it used to possess previously. It becomes thinner and more susceptible to reacting to the environmental conditions surrounding us. As a result it becomes less capable to protect against any damage caused by the external agent. All these factors lead to the development of creases, folds and wrinkles on the skin of various parts of the body.

Because of the association of wrinkled skin with age, the appearance of the same are judged as signal of wisdom and experience by many people

Other major reasons for appearance of wrinkles

Genetic Reasons
Genetic factor is one of the major reasons for the development and growth of wrinkles. As obvious, there is nothing that we can do much about it except blaming our hereditary trait for this. It is more likely for you to develop wrinkles early if your parents developed them at a younger age, as compared to some one whose parents were free from wrinkles when they were of the same age.

Smoking
Causes a reduction in blood supply to the skin, as claimed by experts. Consequently, early aging of skin is caused which may lead to wrinkles.

Exposure to UV radiations
UV radiation emitted by Sun is known to posses a gamut of harmful effects on the skin. Those people, who tend to spend most of their time in the day under Sun’s rays, tend to develop wrinkles early because of exposure to these rays.

Skin Type
Some people who have lighter form of skin may experience a rapid damage of skin due to environmental exposure and Sun exposure. This may lead to wrinkling of the skin.

General expressions of face
Those people who laugh, frown, squint or smile repeatedly at an older age are at a higher risk of developing wrinkles than others. The repeated exercise of facial muscles may leave some folds on the skin when it has already lost its elasticity due to age.