Exposure to the sun can account for a good number of the wrinkles that appear not only on the face, but on the rest of the body, as well. Besides the sun drying out your skin, the UV rays can also damage skin cells, cause collagen to break down, and lead to the outer layer of the skin becoming thinner. As the collagen is broken down, the body attempts to repair the damage, but what you end up with is called "solar scars" in the collagen fibers. This is what causes wrinkles to develop.

Smoking

We have all heard that smoking is bad for you, but did you know it could also be a major cause of wrinkles? Every time you light one up, several things begin to occur that contribute to wrinkles. And I am not just talking about facial wrinkles either, but also wrinkles on the arms and torso, due to cigarette smoking. As if protecting your lungs wasn't a good enough reason to quit smoking, here are some more.

First, smoking results in a decrease in blood flow though the capillaries, which deprives the skin of oxygen and vital nutrients. This, in turn, causes a loss of moisture and elasticity in the skin, leading to wrinkles.

Second, the smoke itself tends to irritate the eyes, which makes the smoker squint. This action can lead to increased wrinkles around the eyes.

Third, the process of taking a drag off the cigarette causes the smokers cheeks, over time, to become sunken in and wrinkles to develop at the corners of the mouth.

Gravity

As we age, our skin naturally loses elasticity, and firmness. This is where gravity plays a roll in helping to create more wrinkles. With the loss of the ability for our skin to "bounce back" into shape, gravity starts pulling on the loose skin. As the skin is pulled out of shape, it forms fine lines, which eventually turn into wrinkles.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/anti-aging-articles/5-big-reasons-behind-what-causes-wrinkles-595516.html

Page #2  5 Big Reasons Behind What Causes Wrinkles

About the Author: