For many of us, keeping our skin looking smooth, elastic, and youthful is one of the biggest concerns as we age. In particular, crepey skin is a condition that a large number of people encounter and want to improve, ranking up there with age spots and simple wrinkles.
If you’re dealing with crepey skin, you shouldn’t feel like you just have to live with the sagging, fragility, and wrinkling associated with it. By learning more about this condition — and the many effective treatments out there — you can take an active role in seriously improving the health and appearance of your skin.
What is crepey skin?
Crepey skin gets its name from its similarity to the thinness and wrinkles of crepe paper. This condition usually covers a large part of the skin and is typically thin and fragile. Some of the most common areas for crepey skin are underneath the eyes and on the upper inner arms.
This is generally seen as an age and environment-related condition, but there is a wide range of factors that can contribute to the development of crepey skin.
What causes crepey skin?
Researchers believe that exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays combined with the natural aging process is the biggest cause of crepey skin. Essentially, the sun and its UV radiation breaks down the collagen and elastin that keep skin smooth and tight. What’s more, as you age, your skin produces less oil. These oils are essential for locking in moisture, and producing less oils results in dryer skin. This is how sunlight and aging work together to cause crepey skin.
Other causes also contribute to crepey skin, including:
- Genetics
- Certain skin types
- Excessive weight loss
- Hormonal changes
- Any combination of the above
Each person is different, so it’s important to work with a skin expert to determine the underlying causes of your crepey skin and create the most effective treatment plan for you.
Crepey Skin Treatment Options
Depending on the severity of your crepey skin, there are several treatments that you can do at home or with your dermatologist. Some over-the-counter products include retinoids, alpha hydroxy acids, or peptides. These products should be used as directed, and you should stop using them if you experience stinging or burning sensations.
A simple sugar scrub to remove dry skin may be enough to treat your crepey skin. You should also incorporate face and body cleansers that won’t strip your skin of its natural lipid and protein barriers into your daily routine. These cleansers will help keep your skin properly moisturized.
If over-the-counter products and home remedies aren’t giving you the results you want, you should talk to your dermatologist or cosmetic skin treatment specialist. There are a few dermatological treatments that could treat your dry skin, including:
- Fractional laser treatments (Fraxel): Tightens skin with minimal downtime and little-to-no discomfort.
- Thermage Cellulite Reduction: In addition to reducing cellulite, Thermage treatment can tighten and reduce the appearance of crepey skin.
- Legend Progressive Skin Tightening: Legend uses the power of radiofrequency to improve the appearance of loose and saggy skin, including crepey skin
If you’ve experienced excessive weight loss, you should consider cosmetic surgery as a way to remove your crepey skin. A cosmetic surgeon may also suggest other anti-aging solutions to help treat dry or thin skin.
Stem cell therapy is another exciting option for crepey skin. Stem cells are cells in the body that have the unique ability to transform into new tissue — including skin cells. Dr. Bill Johnson and the team at Innovations Medical have been highly successful in using stem cell therapy to help reverse some of the effects of aging and sun damage on the skin. By stimulating the production of collagen, stem cell therapy using fat stem cells can help tighten and smooth skin in problem areas, including the appearance of crepey skin.
How to Prevent Crepey Skin
Since sun exposure is the leading cause of crepey skin, it’s crucial to protect your body from UV exposure. When staying out in the sun, wear sunscreen or sun-protective clothing like hats, sunglasses, and other clothing materials.
Since crepey skin is caused by dryness, including a moisturizer or body lotion in your daily routine can help hydrate your skin. As you get older, you should also look for creams that contain retinol to help restore your skin’s elasticity and thicken its collagen.
Following a balanced diet that is high in Vitamin C and antioxidants can help your body stay healthy. Eating foods like blueberries and avocados won’t improve dry skin overnight, but over time, it can build up your skin’s defenses.
Contact Innovations Medical to Learn About Improving Crepey Skin
If you’re looking to improve the texture and appearance of your skin, Innovations Medical is here for you. Our skilled professionals help you decide which treatment is best for you – keeping you informed and confident in the next steps. We’ve been helping our patients look and feel their best since 2005, and even our most advanced procedures are often minimally invasive.
To find out if any of our advanced therapies for crepey skin are right for you, and to learn how Innovations Medical can improve your life, call us at (214) 643-8665 or schedule an appointment.