When do wrinkles appear?

What should you expect at different ages?

Early fine lines after 25 are possible, not a deadline. Crow's feet, the small lines at the outer corners of the eyes, can first become noticeable in your 30s or not until your 40s. People most commonly seek wrinkle treatment between 40 and 55, but that describes when people seek treatment, not when wrinkles first appear.13

Genes largely control the timing of natural skin aging, so the calendar is not running the whole operation. Natural aging affects every skin type, including skin normally covered by clothing. Falling estrogen during menopause can also contribute to earlier thinning and other signs of aging.45

Do lines when you smile count as wrinkles?

Crow's feet often begin as lines that appear when you smile and your eyes squint. Over time, those lines can remain visible when your face is relaxed. Repeated muscle contractions also contribute to forehead lines and frown lines between the eyebrows. A line that appears only during an expression is different from one that stays at rest; both can be part of how facial wrinkles develop.13

Why do some people get wrinkles earlier?

As skin ages, cell production slows and the middle skin layer becomes thinner. Collagen and elastin, proteins that provide support and stretch, become less effective at keeping skin firm. Skin also loses fat and becomes less plump, while dryness and reduced moisture retention contribute to its changing appearance.16

Sun damage can build up before you can see it, which makes the mirror a rather late reporting system. Repeated ultraviolet exposure accelerates skin aging and eventually produces visible changes such as wrinkles and age spots. Tanning beds and sunlamps contribute too.47

Long periods outdoors increase exposure, and fair skin is more prone to visible sun aging than darker skin. Smoking and secondhand smoke can make wrinkles appear sooner. With cigarette smoking, wrinkling increases with both the amount smoked and the number of years spent smoking.256

What can you do before wrinkles appear?

• Use broad spectrum, water resistant sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher every day on skin not covered by clothing.
• Seek shade and wear protective clothing, a wide brimmed hat and sunglasses. Sunglasses also reduce squinting.
• Avoid tanning beds and deliberate sun tanning.
• Avoid smoking and secondhand smoke.
• Cleanse gently rather than scrubbing, and wash your face twice a day and after heavy sweating.

Apply a facial moisturizer daily. Sun protection and changes such as stopping smoking can still help after visible aging has begun.4

Do early wrinkles need treatment?

Normal wrinkles do not need treatment, and no treatment entirely prevents them from forming. If you want to soften their appearance, options include topical retinoids, chemical peels, laser resurfacing and injections. Regular, long term use of some creams can reduce dryness and may reduce fine wrinkles.125

Stop using skincare products that sting or burn. If a prescribed aging treatment causes these symptoms, tell your dermatologist rather than changing the treatment yourself. Sensitive skin is more prone to treatment side effects, and retinol can cause redness, itching and peeling.34

Talk to a healthcare professional if your skin seems to be wrinkling unusually quickly for your age, or if you want cosmetic treatment. A painful or bleeding spot, a growing lump or a sore that does not heal needs assessment rather than being treated as an ordinary wrinkle.25