What causes crepe-like skin?

From the Guidelines

Crepe-like skin is primarily caused by the natural aging process, characterized by a decrease in age-related blood flow, leading to vascular degeneration, and a subsequent decrease in the supply of oxygen and nutrients to facial tissues, resulting in a loss of skin tone and fluid levels in the facial tissue complex. This process is further exacerbated by the loss of subcutaneous fat, particularly in areas with low fat reserves, such as around the eyes and lips, as noted in the study on autologous platelet concentrates in esthetic medicine 1. The signs of aging, including wrinkles, skin laxity, and folds, are almost always related to an underlying cause at a deeper tissue level that is not clinically visible. Key factors contributing to crepe-like skin include:

• Decrease in blood flow caused by aging, resulting in a decrease in the supply of oxygen and nutrients to facial tissues
• Vascular degeneration, considered a major cause of the initiation of facial aging
• Loss of subcutaneous fat, particularly in areas with low fat reserves
• Decrease in skin hydration, leading to further signs of facial aging
• Sun exposure, which can accelerate the aging process through UV damage
• Smoking, which restricts blood flow and damages collagen
• Dehydration, which reduces skin plumpness
• Rapid weight loss, leaving skin without underlying support
• Hormonal changes, particularly decreased estrogen during menopause
• Genetics, which determine natural skin characteristics
• Certain medications, such as corticosteroids, that can thin the skin over time. According to the study 1, platelet therapies, such as PRF, have been deemed extremely effective strategies for minimizing further facial aging and potentially reversing it.

From the Research

Causes of Crepe-Like Skin

Crepe-like skin is a common concern for many individuals, characterized by thin, wrinkled, and sagging skin. Several factors contribute to the development of crepe-like skin, including:

• Smoking: Studies have shown that smoking affects collagen synthesis and extracellular matrix turnover in human skin, leading to premature skin aging 2, 3.
• Loss of collagen and elastin: The degradation of collagen and elastic fibers is a key factor in the development of crepe-like skin. This can be caused by various factors, including UV radiation, tobacco, nutritional deficiencies, and hormonal imbalances 3, 4.
• Imbalance of extracellular matrix turnover: An imbalance between the biosynthesis and degradation of dermal connective tissue metabolism can lead to the development of crepe-like skin 2, 3.
• Reactive oxygen species: The production of reactive oxygen species can contribute to the degradation of skin cells and the development of crepe-like skin 3.
• Nutritional deficiencies: Inadequate nutrition can weaken skin repair mechanisms, leading to the breakdown of collagen and elastic fibers 4.

Factors that Exacerbate Crepe-Like Skin

Several factors can exacerbate the development of crepe-like skin, including:

• UV radiation: Prolonged exposure to UV radiation can cause photoaging, leading to the degradation of skin cells and the development of crepe-like skin 5, 4.
• Tobacco smoke: Tobacco smoke contains thousands of chemicals that can damage skin cells and contribute to the development of crepe-like skin 2, 3.
• Poor skin care: Inadequate skin care, including lack of moisturizing and protection from the sun, can contribute to the development of crepe-like skin.
• Hormonal imbalances: Hormonal changes, such as those that occur during menopause, can lead to a decline in skin elasticity and the development of crepe-like skin 4.

Potential Treatments for Crepe-Like Skin

Several treatments have been shown to improve the appearance of crepe-like skin, including:

• Polyphenol treatments: Polyphenols, such as epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and pentagalloyl glucose (PGG), have been shown to increase elastin and collagen deposition in human dermal fibroblasts, leading to improved skin elasticity 5.
• Salicylic acid peeling and microdermabrasion: These treatments have been shown to stimulate the repair process and increase collagen and elastin thickness in the skin 6.
• Nutraceuticals: Certain nutraceuticals, such as antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids, may help to delay and fight against the internal and external factors that contribute to skin aging 4.