• Skin Care

Wrinkles and Fine Lines: Types, Causes and Prevention

Published: March 28, 2025
Updated: March 28, 2025
4 mins

Whether you're starting to notice fine lines or have been trying to smooth out deeper wrinkles, finding the right skincare and prevention strategies can help keep your skin looking healthy and youthful. While aging is a beautiful part of life, embracing it gracefully can include caring for your skin in a way that helps you feel confident, radiant, and comfortable at any age. 

Fine lines and wrinkles are natural, but there are some steps you can take to minimize their appearance and keep your skin looking smooth, healthy, and well-nourished as you age.

In this article, we’ll help you learn some proactive steps to implement into your skincare routine to help you preserve your skin elasticity and prevent premature aging.

What are Wrinkles and Fine Lines?

As skin ages, it naturally loses collagen, elastin, and hydration, leading to the formation of fine lines and wrinkles. These changes happen due to a combination of intrinsic factors, like genetics and the natural aging process, and extrinsic factors – such as sun exposure, pollution, and lifestyle choices. Over time, the skin becomes thinner and less resilient, making it more prone to visible lines.

Fine lines are the early, shallow creases that develop due to repeated facial expressions, dehydration, and mild collagen loss. They are usually more noticeable in areas with frequent movement, like around the eyes and mouth. Wrinkles, on the other hand, are deeper and more pronounced, forming as collagen breakdown progresses and the skin loses its ability to bounce back.

Types of Wrinkles and Fine Lines

Forehead wrinkles

Forehead wrinkles develop due to repeated facial expressions (like raising your eyebrows), as well as natural collagen loss over time. Sun exposure and dehydration can also make these lines more pronounced.

Under-eye wrinkles 

The skin under the eyes is thinner and more delicate than other areas of the face. This makes it more prone to fine lines and wrinkles. Factors like dehydration, sun damage, and reduced collagen production contribute to their formation. 

Wrinkles around the eyes (crow’s feet)

Crow’s feet are the fine lines that form at the outer corners of the eyes due to frequent facial movements, such as smiling and squinting. Over time, the loss of skin elasticity makes these lines more visible.

Fine lines under the eyes

Fine lines under the eyes are smaller, shallower creases that often appear before deeper wrinkles. They are an early sign of skin aging. They are typically caused by dryness, repetitive expressions, and a decline in collagen and elastin.

Fine lines around the eyes

These are some of the first signs of aging that appear due to natural facial movements and environmental factors. While they may start as faint lines, they can deepen over time without proper hydration and sun protection.

Smile lines

Smile lines – or nasolabial folds – are the creases that run from the sides of the nose to the corners of the mouth. They become more pronounced over time due to repeated facial expressions, loss of skin elasticity, and a natural decline in collagen. While they are a normal part of aging, factors like sun exposure, smoking, and dehydration can make them appear deeper. 

Wrinkles above the upper lip

Wrinkles above the upper lip – often called lip lines or "smoker’s lines" – are fine vertical lines that form due to repetitive lip movements, collagen loss, and environmental damage. While smoking is a common culprit, these lines can also develop from frequent pursing of the lips (such as when you use a straw to drink or chew gum often), sun exposure, and dehydration. Keeping the skin moisturized, using SPF, and avoiding habits that contribute to collagen breakdown can help soften their appearance.

What Causes Wrinkles?

Natural aging process

As we age, the body naturally produces less collagen and elastin – two proteins responsible for keeping the skin firm and resilient. This decline begins in our mid-20s due to a slowdown in fibroblast activity – the cells responsible for producing these structural proteins. Over time, factors such as hormonal changes, oxidative stress, and a reduced ability to repair cellular damage further diminish collagen and elastin production.

Collagen fibers – which provide strength and support to the skin – become fragmented and less organized, making the skin thinner and weaker. Meanwhile, elastin, which gives the skin its ability to stretch and bounce back, breaks down more easily and is not replaced as efficiently. As a result, the skin becomes less elastic, more fragile, and more prone to creasing. 

Without sufficient collagen and elastin to counteract repeated facial movements, fine lines deepen into permanent wrinkles, and the skin gradually loses its youthful firmness.

Sun exposure

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun is one of the biggest contributors to premature wrinkles. UV rays penetrate deep into the skin, breaking down collagen and elastin fibers and triggering oxidative stress that damages skin cells. This process – known as photoaging – weakens the skin’s structure, making it more fragile, less plump, and more likely to develop fine lines and deep-set wrinkles, particularly in sun-exposed areas like the forehead and around the eyes.

Repeated facial expressions

Facial movements such as frowning, squinting, and raising the eyebrows create temporary creases in the skin. When the skin is young and rich in collagen, it can smooth out easily. However, as collagen levels decline, these expression lines become more permanent. Over time, repetitive muscle contractions etch wrinkles into the skin, leading to forehead lines, crow’s feet, and smile lines.

Lifestyle factors

Daily habits play a crucial role in skin health. A diet lacking in essential nutrients, such as antioxidants, healthy fats, and hydration, deprives the skin of the building blocks needed for repair and regeneration. Smoking accelerates wrinkle formation by restricting blood flow and depleting oxygen and nutrients that keep the skin supple. Dehydration also contributes by reducing the skin’s ability to retain moisture, making fine lines more prominent and the skin appear dull.

Genetics

Genetics influence how quickly and to what extent a person develops wrinkles. Some people inherit stronger collagen production, thicker skin, or a natural ability to retain moisture, which slows down visible signs of aging. Others may have a genetic predisposition to developing fine lines earlier, especially in high-movement areas like the forehead and around the mouth. While genetics set the foundation, environmental and lifestyle factors still play a significant role in how skin ages.

Sleeping positions

Sleeping on your side or stomach can lead to “sleep wrinkles,” which form due to prolonged pressure on the skin. When your face is pressed against a pillow night after night, it can create creases that gradually become permanent as skin elasticity declines. Over time, this can contribute to lines on the cheeks, forehead, and even around the mouth.

How to Prevent Wrinkles and Fine Lines

Taking a proactive approach to skincare can help keep the skin looking smooth and resilient. Using products formulated with retinoids, peptides, and hyaluronic acid supports collagen production, enhances elasticity, and locks in moisture, making fine lines less noticeable. Retinol speeds up cell turnover, peptides aid in skin repair, and hyaluronic acid plumps the skin by drawing in hydration.

Sun protection is one of the most effective ways to prevent premature wrinkles. Daily use of SPF shields the skin from UV damage that accelerates collagen breakdown, while sunglasses protect the delicate eye area from squinting-related lines.

Healthy lifestyle choices also play a major role in skin aging. A well-balanced diet rich in antioxidants and healthy fats supports collagen synthesis, while proper hydration keeps skin plump and smooth. Smoking, on the other hand, accelerates wrinkle formation by degrading elastin and restricting blood flow to the skin.

Sleep habits matter more than many realize. Repeated pressure on the skin from side or stomach sleeping can contribute to sleep wrinkles, particularly on the face and chest. Opting for a silk or satin pillowcase may reduce friction and help prevent unnecessary creasing overnight.

For those seeking additional wrinkle prevention, professional treatments like microneedling, laser therapy, and Botox can provide targeted support. These treatments help stimulate collagen, improve skin texture, and minimize expression lines. However, maintaining a strong skincare routine and healthy habits is the foundation for long-term skin health.

Where Can I Learn More About Skincare?

If you’re concerned about wrinkles or want to know more about anti-aging strategies, LifeMD is here to help.

LifeMD can connect you with a healthcare professional who can provide information about skin care and guidance on choosing the right products for your skin throughout the year.

Make an online appointment to learn how to maximize your skincare routine.

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