What Triggers Crepey Skin–and How to Stop It?

Medically reviewed by Brendan Camp, MD

Crepuscular skin refers to delicate, thin tissue with a parchment-like feel. This condition often appears on areas such as the face, neck, shins, forearms, and around the eyes. Typical triggers consist of UV exposure, natural degeneration over time, and some prescription drugs.

You can aid in preventing crepey skin and keeping your complexion healthy by consuming nutrient-dense foods, safeguarding your skin against solar harm, and adhering to a consistent skincare regimen to ensure your skin stays hydrated and soft.

How Do You Identify Crepey Skin?

Crepuscular skin appears delicate and seems thinner compared to normal skin; it looks somewhat like crumpled tissue paper. This description stems from how closely it resembles crepe paper—an ultra-thin material known for its wrinkled texture which is commonly utilized for decorations such as party streamers and craft projects including paper mache.

A different indicator of crepey skin is sagging, droopy skin. As the skin weakens with age, its ability to stretch and retract diminishes, making it less prone to snap back into position.

What Causes Crepey Skin?

Several factors can lead to crepey skin, such as aging, depletion of collagen—the primary structural protein in the skin and connective tissues—sun damage, changes in weight, and some types of medication.

• Aging: As people age, the epidermis The outermost layer of the skin becomes thinner as the production of elastin decreases within the body. Elastin imparts flexibility to the skin, enabling it to return to its original form following stretching.
• Sun damage Excessive exposure or inadequate shielding from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays can diminish your skin's elasticity over time, thus speeding up the process of skin aging.
• Weight changes: Repeated changes in body weight or substantial weight reduction may cause extra skin and decreased flexibility, resulting in skin that looks loose and wrinkled.
• Medications: The frequent usage of particular drugs, like corticosteroids, might lead to skin atrophy (a thinning effect), which serves as an adverse reaction. Such a decrease in skin depth could result in a crepe-like look.

Risk Factors

Several risk factors are linked to the probability of developing crepey skin. This includes older individuals as well as those who Ehlers-Danlos syndrome are more prone to developing crepey skin. Ehlers-Danlos syndrome is a genetic condition that impacts the production and performance of collagen.

Consuming alcohol and tobacco use might also act as risk factors. Studies indicate that these habits are linked to alterations in facial skin texture and volume, which can result in early signs of skin aging, thus heightening the likelihood of developing crepey skin.

Crepey Skin Treatment

Whether you opt for home remedies or seek professional dermatological procedures at a clinic, multiple treatment alternatives are available to help minimize the appearance of crepey skin.

At-Home Treatments

To care for crepey skin at home, consider applying both a firming moisturizer and a retinoid (Skin care products based on vitamin A). Although firming creams might offer some temporary swelling of the skin, their effects are minor and do not permanently address wrinkling issues. Regular application of these items is essential as well.

A study indicated that applying a firming body lotion two times each day to flabby upper arms over a period of 12 weeks led to firmer upper arms, decreased creping, enhanced skin thickness, and bettered the general look and feel of the skin. Although these outcomes seem encouraging, it should be noted that the research was sponsored by a skincare business; therefore, further investigation is necessary.

Retinoids can enhance collagen production and accelerate skin cell renewal, potentially helping to diminish the appearance of slightly loose skin. For more noticeable cases of crepy skin, in-clinic dermatological procedures would likely yield better outcomes.

In-Office Treatments

When seeking in-office procedures, consider consulting a board-certified dermatologist, a physician specializing in skin, hair, and nail disorders.

Laser Resurfacing

Laser resurfacing treatments use beams of light to tighten crepey skin. Recovery typically takes 5-7 days, and tightening effects begin to show within two weeks.

Ultrasound Skin Tightening

Ultrasound skin tightening is a non-surgical procedure aimed at stimulating collagen production, employing high-frequency sound waves to elevate skin tightness and lift areas through thermal energy application. A single session typically leads to noticeable improvement in skin firming and elevation after 2 to 6 months, though further sessions might be required for optimal outcomes.

Fillers

Injectable dermal fillers like Radieshe (calcium hydroxyapatite) offer a volume-boosting result that may assist in reducing looseness in the upper arms.

Various fillers may address under-eye wrinkling, including hyaluronic acid-based ones. However, not all individuals qualify for this procedure. It’s advisable to consult a dermatologist when contemplating this option. They will evaluate if dermal fillers or an alternative office-based therapy would be most suitable.

Facial Threads

Through this technique, a plastic surgeon places specific sutures beneath your skin to retract the excess tissue. This creates an effect of uplifted, firmer skin. Additionally, these threads promote collagen production, which may lead to thicker and more voluminous treatment of thin, wrinkled skin.

Various kinds of threads along with possible complications should be taken into account; therefore, it's advisable to talk with your healthcare provider about whether you qualify for this treatment.

Microneedling

Microneedling is a minimally invasive treatment designed to revitalize the skin through increased collagen production. During this process, your service provider will glide an instrument equipped with minuscule needles over your skin surface, creating small perforations. These do not harm the outer layer of the skin but rather induce regulated microscopic wounds which prompt healing responses, ultimately resulting in enhanced skin appearance.

Prevention

Here are several beneficial suggestions and alterations to your daily habits that can help avoid crepey skin. Among these, some scientifically supported methods for preventing crepey skin encompass:

• Moisturize: Hydrate your skin daily with lotions, ointments, or creams to avoid dryness.
• Consume a healthy, balanced meal plan: Consume nutrient-dense foods to avoid nutritional deficits that might lead to alterations in your skin, development of sores, or eruptions.
• Wear sunscreen: Protect your skin from UV light by applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher daily
• Avoid tanning: Steer clear of tanning beds and sunlamps, which can cause skin cancer and accelerate skin aging
• Avoid alcohol and smoking: Limit alcohol and smoking, both of which are associated with premature skin aging and changes in facial skin and volume
• Take or use collagen: Oral collagen supplements and collagen-containing skincare products may help reduce or delay skin aging and wrinkling
• Take a supplement with vitamin D3: Supplementing with vitamin D3 may help delay premature aging and prevent sun damage due to the vitamin's anti-inflammatory properties and ability to inhibit DNA damage and promote DNA repair

A Quick Review

Crepey skin refers to very thin, delicate skin that looks droopy and lax. This condition can be brought about by various internal and external elements such as exposure to sunlight, natural aging processes, fluctuations in body weight, depletion of collagen, and certain hereditary disorders.

To avoid developing crepey skin, make sure to apply sunscreen when outdoors for sun protection. Additionally, consume plenty of nutritious meals, steer clear of tanning, and cut down on or stop smoking and drinking alcohol altogether.

If you're dealing with crepey skin, think about incorporating a firming moisturizer and retinoids into your daily skincare regimen. Additional options to address this issue might involve laser resurfacing, ultrasonic lifting, and thread facials. It’s advisable to consult with a dermatologist or another healthcare professional to determine which approach would be most suitable for your specific condition.