Do you suffer from crepey skin? Are you unsure what to do about it? As we grow older, our skin naturally grows looser and flaccid.
However, if your skin starts to feel as thin as paper or like it’s a crepe, then you may have another issue on your hands. Unlike wrinkles around the eyes, which can be traced back to repeated muscle movements, crepey skin is typically due to sun damage.
Read this guide to learn all about crepey skin and what to do about it.
Related: Skincare Myths You Need to Ditch
What is Crepey Skin?
Crepey skin is thin and looks like a finely wrinkled piece of crepe paper. Crepey skin may also feel loose or sag.
While crepey skin is somewhat similar to wrinkles, the condition tends to impact larger areas of the body. Additionally, the skin tends to feel more noticeably fragile and thin compared to wrinkled skin.
Crepey skin is more common under the arms and the eyes.
What Causes Crepey Skin?
Crepey skin is most often due to sun damage or, more specifically, UV radiation. The damage can result either from direct exposure to the sun or from using tanning beds. Over time, UV radiation breaks down the elasticity of the skin.
When the skin has a normal level of elasticity, it quickly bounces back to its normal position. Crepey skin is most common in older people, although there’s no exact age when people start developing it.
While sun damage is the most common cause, it’s not the only cause of crepey skin. Here are some other causes:
- Sleep deprivation
- Significant weight fluctuation
- Lack of moisture
- Smoking
- Pollution
- Certain medications
- Heat exposure
- Increased cortisol levels from stress
- Consuming excess amounts of alcohol
Some scientists also believe there’s a connection between crepey skins and genetic disorders. They believe certain genetic disorders, such as Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, Werner syndrome, and progeria, may disrupt the integrity of the skin or cause premature signs of aging.
Crepey Skin Prevention
The best way to take care of crepey skin is to prevent it from ever happening in the first place. Here’s what you you can do to prevent crepey skin:
Sun Protection
One of the best ways to prevent crepey skin is to focus on sun protection. Stick to the shade, always wear sunscreen before stepping outside, and wear sun-protective clothing during the daylight hours.
Make sure the sunscreen you use offers both UVA and UVB protection and has an SPF of at least 30. The American Academy of Dermatology also recommends that people with sensitive skin wear mineral sunscreen, which contains zinc oxide or titanium oxide.
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Related: Is Thinking About Wrinkles Giving You Wrinkles?
Use the Right Skincare Products
We also recommend using topical creams that contain retinol to improve your skin’s elasticity and increase collagen production.
Retinoids help skin cells regenerate faster, which may reduce the chance of developing crepey skin. However, make sure you only use a small amount of retinoid and moisturize thoroughly after, as retinol can dry out your skin. Retinol is available in both prescription and over-the-counter forms.
Peptides are another ingredient that you should add to your skincare armor. Peptides act as signals that tell your skin it’s damaged and needs to produce more collagen, which helps firm and plump the skin. Like retinol, you can find peptides in both OTC and prescription forms.
Related: How to Get Plump Skin
Hydration
You can keep your skin hydrated by using a good moisturizer and drinking plenty of water. We also recommend adding hyaluronic acid to your skincare routine, as it’s incredibly hydrating.
Nutrition
Improving your diet is another great way to prevent crepey skin. Focus on a diet rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and omega-3 fatty acids. Antioxidants you should look to incorporate include carotenoids, tocopherols, and flavonoids.
You should also try to eat a lot of vitamins A, C, D, and E.
How to Get Rid of Crepey Skin
While prevention can help, don’t feel like you’re a lost cause if you’ve already developed crepey skin. Here are some things you can do to get rid of crepey skin:
Use the Right Products
Using the correct products is one of the main keys to getting rid of crepey skin. Look for cleansers, moisturizers, and other products that contain retinol. We also recommend looking for products with glycolic acid, critic acid, lactic acid, and tartaric acid.
Other key ingredients to keep your eye out for are salicylic acid and hyaluronic acid.
Prescription Medications
You can also supplement your skincare products with prescription medications. Tretinoin, a topical retinoid that works like retinol but is more potent, can sometimes be prescribed by a doctor for crepey skin. However, make sure your insurance covers the cost.
Dermatological Treatments
If skincare products or prescription medications aren’t doing the trick, consider other dermatological treatments. You’ll want to speak to your dermatologist before first, but some treatments to consider for crepey skin include cool sculpting, fillers, and fractional laser treatment.
Are you thinking about getting a chemical peel? Click here to learn how often you should get one!
Surgery
Those who suffer from crepey skin due to experiencing large amounts of weight loss may consider plastic surgery. In this case, a plastic surgeon will recommend an operation to improve the skin.
Surgical procedures that could help improve crepey skin include neck lifts, facelifts, and upper eyelid lifts.
Don’t Suffer from Crepey Skin
As you can see, there’s a lot that you can do to get rid of your crepey skin. Now it’s time to figure out which solution is right for you.
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