1. Antiaging Tips & Secrets Slideshow Pictures
2. Cosmetic Surgery Slideshow Pictures
3. Take the Skin Care Quiz

Medical Author:

Gary W. Cole, MD, FAAD

Gary W. Cole, MD, FAAD

Dr. Cole is board certified in dermatology. He obtained his BA degree in bacteriology, his MA degree in microbiology, and his MD at the University of California, Los Angeles. He trained in dermatology at the University of Oregon, where he completed his residency.

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Medical Editor:

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

Dr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.

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In this Article

• Wrinkles facts
• Introduction to wrinkles
• What factors promote wrinkles?
• What medical treatments and cosmetic procedures are available for wrinkles?
• Beauty Habits, Skin Care, and Makeup FAQs
• Find a local Dermatologist in your town
• Wrinkles Index

Factors that promote wrinkling include the following:

• Smoking
• Degree of skin pigmentation (more is better)
• Sun exposure
• Hair (some styles provide cover and protection against sun damage)
• Dress (hats, long sleeves, etc.) can provide sun protection.
• Occupational and recreational sun exposure (farming, sailing, golfing, using tanning booths)
• Heredity (some families wrinkle more)

Some of these factors are beyond our control. The main preventive measures we can take are to minimize sun exposure and not smoke.

SPF numbers on sunscreen labels refer to protection against UVB radiation (shortwave ultraviolet light, the "sunburn rays"). More and more sunscreens offer protection against UVA radiation (longer-wave ultraviolet light) as well. UVA rays are the ones you get in tanning salons; they may not cause immediate sunburn but do produce sun damage and increase skin cancer risk over time. (Sorry, but there is no such thing as a "safe tan.") Sunscreens that block UVA indicate this on the label and include such ingredients as Parsol 1789. The FDA has recently approved Mexoryl, another UVA-blocking ingredient, which has been available in Europe for some time. For more, please read the Sunburn and Sun Sensitizing Drugs and Sun Protection and Sunscreens articles.