What Triggers Crepey Skin–and How to Stop It?

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Medically reviewed by Brendan Camp, MD

Crepuscular skin refers to delicate, thin tissue with a parchment-like feel. This condition often appears on areas such as the face, neck, shins, forearms, and around the eyes. Typical triggers consist of UV exposure, natural degeneration over time, and some prescription drugs.

You can aid in preventing crepey skin and maintaining healthy-looking skin by consuming nutrient-dense foods, shielding your skin from solar harm, and adhering to a consistent skincare regimen to ensure your skin stays hydrated and elastic.

How Do You Identify Crepey Skin?

Crepuscular skin appears thin and looks somewhat like crinkled paper. It gets its name due to looking similar to crepe paper, which is a delicate, wrinkled type of paper often used for decorations such as party streamers and craft projects like paper mache.

A further indication of crepey skin is slack, drooping dermis. As the skin weakens with age, its ability to stretch and retract diminishes, making it less prone to return to its original position.

What Causes Crepey Skin?

Several factors can lead to crepey skin, such as aging, depletion of collagen (a key structural protein in the skin and connective tissues throughout the body), harm from sunlight, changes in weight, and some types of medication.

  • Aging: As people age, the epidermis The outermost layer of the skin becomes thinner as the body generates reduced amounts of elastin. This protein gives skin its ability to stretch and then return to its original form.
  • Sun damage Excessive exposure or inadequate shielding from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays can diminish your skin's elasticity over time and speed up the process of skin aging.
  • Weight changes: Regular changes in body weight or substantial weight reduction may cause extra skin and decreased flexibility, resulting in skin that looks wrinkled and loose.
  • Medications: The frequent usage of particular drugs, like corticosteroids, might lead to skin atrophy (a thinning effect), which is an adverse reaction. Such a decrease in skin thickness often gives rise to a crepe-like look.

Risk Factors

Several risk factors are linked to the probability of developing crepey skin. This includes older individuals and those with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome tend to experience more crepey skin. Ehlers-Danlos syndrome is a genetic condition that impacts the production and effectiveness of collagen.

Consuming alcohol and tobacco use might also act as risk factors. Studies indicate that these habits are linked to alterations in facial skin texture and volume, which can result in early signs of skin aging, thereby raising your likelihood of developing crepey skin.

Crepey Skin Treatment

Whether you opt for home remedies or seek professional dermatological procedures at a clinic, multiple treatment alternatives can help minimize the appearance of crepey skin.

At-Home Treatments

To care for crepey skin at home, consider applying both a firming moisturizer and a retinoid (Skincare items based on vitamin A). Although firming creams might offer some temporary swelling of the skin, their effects are minor and do not permanently address wrinkling. Regular application of these products is essential as well.

A study indicated that applying a firming body lotion two times each day on loose upper arms over a period of 12 weeks led to firmer upper arms, reduced texture issues, enhanced skin thickness, and better-looking skin overall. Although these outcomes seem encouraging, it should be noted that the research was sponsored by a cosmetics corporation; thus, further investigation is necessary.

Retinoids increase collagen production and accelerate skin cell renewal, potentially helping to diminish the appearance of moderately loose skin. For more pronounced cases of crepy skin, in-clinic dermatological procedures will likely yield better outcomes.

In-Office Treatments

When seeking in-office treatments, consult a board-certified dermatologist—a physician specializing in issues related to your skin, hair, and nails.

Laser Resurfacing

Laser resurfacing treatments use beams of light to tighten crepey skin. Recovery typically takes 5-7 days, and tightening effects begin to show within two weeks.

Ultrasound Skin Tightening

Ultrasound skin tightening is a non-surgical procedure aimed at stimulating collagen production, which helps in firming up and raising the skin through the application of heat via ultrasonic waves. After just one session, you can expect some degree of skin tightness and elevation typically noticeable between two to six months later. Further sessions might still be required for optimal outcomes.

Fillers

Injectable dermal fillers like Radiesse (calcium hydroxylapatite) provide volume enhancement which may aid in reducing the appearance of looseness in the upper arms.

Various fillers may address under-eye wrinkling, including hyaluronic acid-based options. However, not all individuals qualify for this procedure. It’s advisable to consult a dermatologist when contemplating this option. The specialist will evaluate if dermal fillers or an alternative office-based therapy would be most suitable.

Facial Threads

Through this method, a plastic surgeon places specialized threads beneath your skin to retract excess skin. This creates an effect of uplifted and tauter skin. Additionally, these threads encourage collagen production, which may lead to thicker and more voluminous treatment of thin, wrinkled skin.

Various thread options should be considered along with possible complications, hence it’s advisable to talk about whether you qualify for this treatment with your healthcare provider.

Microneedling

Microneedling is a minimally invasive treatment designed to revitalize the skin through increased collagen production. During this process, your practitioner will glide an instrument equipped with small needles over your skin surface, creating minor perforations. These actions do not harm the outer layer of the skin but rather induce regulated microscopic wounds which trigger the natural healing response, ultimately resulting in improved skin texture and appearance.

Prevention

Here are several useful suggestions and modifications to your daily habits that can help avoid crepey skin. Among these, some scientifically supported methods for preventing crepey skin encompass:

  • Moisturize: Hydrate your skin daily with moisturizers like lotions, ointments, or creams to avoid dryness.
  • Consume a healthy, balanced meal plan: Consume foods that are rich in nutrients to avoid deficiencies which might lead to alterations in your skin, development of sores, or eruptions.
  • Wear sunscreen: Shield your skin from UV rays by using a broad-spectrum sunscreen. sunscreen using an SPF of 30 or greater every day
  • Avoid tanning: Avoid using tanning beds and sunlamps as they can lead to skin cancer and speed up the aging process of your skin.
  • Avoid alcohol and smoking: Restrict alcohol consumption and smoking, as they are linked to early signs of skin aging and alterations in the appearance and fullness of your face.
  • Take or use collagen: Collagen oral supplements along with skincare items rich in collagen might assist in lessening or postponing the signs of skin aging and wrinkles.
  • Consider taking a supplement containing vitamin D3: Taking vitamin D3 supplements might aid in slowing down early signs of aging and protecting against sun harm because of the vitamin’s capacity to reduce inflammation and enhance DNA repair while also preventing genetic material damage.

A Quick Review

Crepuscular skin refers to extremely thin, delicate tissue that looks droopy and lax. This condition may be triggered by both internal and external elements such as exposure to sunlight, natural aging processes, fluctuations in body mass, depletion of collagen, and certain hereditary disorders.

To avoid developing crepy skin, make sure to apply sunscreen when outdoors for sun protection, consume a nutritious diet filled with health-beneficial foods, steer clear of tanning, and cut down on or refrain from smoking and drinking alcohol.

If you're dealing with crepey skin, think about incorporating a firming moisturizer and retinoids into your daily beauty regimen. Additional options for treating this condition might involve laser resurfacing, ultrasound tightening, or facial threading. It’s advisable to consult with a dermatologist or another healthcare professional to determine which approach would be most suitable for your specific skin type.

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