Doctor-Led Aesthetic Medicine
You may start to notice that your skin no longer feels as firm or springy as it once did. It may look thinner, slightly looser, or develop fine lines that seem to crumple rather than smooth out. When you gently pinch the skin, it may stay creased for a moment before slowly returning. Crepey skin often develops gradually and can make the skin appear more delicate, finely wrinkled or tired, particularly on areas where the skin is naturally thinner such as around the eyes, the neck and the décolletage.
Crepey skin describes skin that has become thin, finely wrinkled and loose, often compared to the texture of crepe paper or tissue paper. Unlike deeper wrinkles that form in specific areas due to repeated muscle movement, crepey skin tends to affect broader areas and has a fragile, papery appearance.
The key difference between crepey skin and other signs of ageing is that it reflects a decline in skin quality and structure rather than volume loss or muscle activity. Over time, the skin loses collagen and elastin, the proteins responsible for strength, thickness and elasticity.
As a result, the skin becomes thinner, less resilient and slower to recoil when stretched. This is why treatments that focus purely on lifting or tightening often do not fully address crepey skin, and why approaches that improve skin quality and stimulate collagen regeneration are so important.
Crepey skin develops as collagen and elastin levels within the skin gradually decline. These proteins are essential for skin strength, thickness and elasticity. As their production slows, the skin becomes thinner, less resilient and slower to bounce back when stretched. This loss of collagen and elastin is influenced by a combination of internal factors, such as natural ageing and hormonal changes, and external factors, including sun exposure and environmental stress.
- Collagen production gradually decreases with age, estimated at around 1% per year from early adulthood, leading to thinner skin with reduced structural support
- Elastin fibres lose their ability to stretch and recoil effectively, meaning the skin is slower to snap back and more likely to remain creased
- Natural oil production slows over time, weakening the skin’s protective barrier and reducing moisture retention
- Cell turnover becomes less efficient, so damaged or ageing skin cells are replaced more slowly, contributing to a fragile, dull skin appearance
- Ultraviolet radiation is responsible for the majority of visible skin ageing, accelerating the breakdown of collagen and elastin within the skin
- The effects of sun exposure are cumulative, with damage building up over decades and often becoming more noticeable later in life
- Areas that are regularly exposed to sunlight, such as the face, neck, décolletage and arms, are often the first to develop crepey changes in skin texture and quality
- Declining oestrogen levels during perimenopause and menopause significantly accelerate collagen loss, with studies showing that women can lose up to 30% of their skin’s collagen within the first 5 years after menopause
- Reduced hormone levels affect skin hydration, thickness and the skin’s natural ability to repair and regenerate, contributing to increased fragility and crepey texture
- Significant or rapid weight loss can leave the skin loose and thinner, having lost the underlying structural support that maintains firmness
- Smoking accelerates the breakdown of collagen and elastin while also reducing blood flow and oxygen delivery to the skin
- Chronic dehydration can make the skin appear dull, thinner and more fragile, exaggerating crepey texture
- Poor nutrition, particularly diets low in protein, vitamins and antioxidants, reduces the skin’s ability to repair, regenerate and maintain healthy structure
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Find answers to common questions about crepey skin
Yes, crepey skin can be significantly improved with the right approach. While it cannot be completely reversed, modern regenerative treatments such as JULAINE™, polynucleotides and skin boosters like Profhilo® can genuinely rebuild skin quality. These treatments work by improving hydration and stimulating collagen and elastin production, helping the skin become smoother, more supple and better supported. Results develop gradually and look natural, with improvements continuing over time.
Wrinkles are lines that tend to form due to repeated muscle movement or volume loss and usually appear in specific areas, such as around the eyes or mouth. Crepey skin, on the other hand, relates to a change in overall skin quality. The skin becomes thinner, more fragile and finely wrinkled across larger areas, giving it a papery texture. Because the underlying causes are different, crepey skin and wrinkles often require different treatment approaches, with crepey skin responding best to treatments that improve skin quality and stimulate collagen and elastin production.
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