• Question: Why do people have wrinkles?

    Asked by emmagrace to Dalya, Derek, Sarah, Tim, Tom on 20 Jun 2011.
    • Photo: Derek McKay-Bukowski

      Derek McKay-Bukowski answered on 20 Jun 2011:

      When we are younger, we have a compound in the skin called elastin, which keeps our skin stretchy. When we get older we don’t have as much elastin, so when our skin stretches, it doesn’t contract back… instead it forms wrinkles.

      The loss of elastin is a slow and gradual process, which is why people get wrinkles gradually.

    • Photo: Tim Millar

      Tim Millar answered on 20 Jun 2011:

      Have you ever tried ironing one?

      Keep out of the sun and don’t smoke and it should keep some of the wrinkes at bay as these affect the elestin which Derek mentioned and make it not work as well.

    • Photo: Sarah Thomas

      Sarah Thomas answered on 20 Jun 2011:

      As well as elastin, young people also have lots of collagen and moisture in their skin which helps keep it stretchy. Also as you get older, the fatty layer that makes your skin look plump is reduced and this is when the skin begins to sag. Losing collagen and elastin makes your skin thin and it doesn’t hold moisture as well which also contributes to the wrinkles.

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