Crepey Skin: What Is It and What Can You Do About It?

Crepey SkinCrepe paper is a novelty we have all seen at birthday parties and other gatherings. Strung across tables and walls, crepe paper looks pretty. Skin that looks like crepe paper? Not so much. When the skin on the face or body becomes extraordinarily thin, wrinkly, and loose, we may not like what we see in the mirror. Crepey skin is common in a few places, including the upper and lower eyelids, the neck, and the backs of the hands. Some people develop very thin skin on the arms or chest. One problem with crepey skin is that it seems to always develop in an obvious location. Since it cannot be hidden, we need to find ways to deal with it. Here, we discuss why you may be seeing crepey skin and what you can do to prevent worsening.

Why We Get Crepey Skin

Our skin looks supple, smooth, and firm when we are young because it is consistently being regenerated with healthy amounts of collagen and elastin. The body also makes hyaluronic acid, the chemical that is the basis of many of today’s most popular dermal fillers. Each of these substances provides a unique service to the skin. Collagen builds firmness. Elastin helps the skin retract when stretched. Hyaluronic acid locks in moisture. In early adulthood, the production of all three of these chemicals slows down significantly. Without continual replenishment, the stores that have been built up gradually get depleted. Hence, we see lines, creases, and crepey skin.

Can This Problem be Avoided?

It may not be possible to completely avoid crepey skin and other signs of aging if we rely on skincare alone. Still, this is the basis of beauty and dermatologic health. To support the skin as it ages,

  • Avoid unnecessary sun exposure. The skin sustains damage after just a few minutes in the sun if you are not wearing sunscreen. A broad-spectrum, SPF 30 sunscreen should be applied every day to all sun-exposed areas, including the backs of the hands and the ears.
  • Moisturize the right way. Yes, there is a right way to moisturize. A doctor or skincare specialist can help you determine what is right for you based on the condition of your skin. Generally, we need richer emollient creams and serums in the winter months and lighter creams and serums in the summer. As we age, too, our skincare needs will change.
  • Nourish with water and diet. What we eat affects our skin. Foods like chicken, fish, egg whites, and bone broth have natural collagen. Citrus fruits and leafy greens have the antioxidants the skin needs to ward off free-radicals that cause premature aging.

Treating Crepey Skin

In addition to taking care of your skin daily, you can benefit from professional help. In our Houston and Sugar Land offices, we’ve got everything from chemical peels to microdermabrasion to injectables to surgical facial rejuvenation to help you reach your goals. Call 713.271.9000 to schedule your visit. 

Posted in: Skin Care Treatments

Leave a response