How to Get Rid of Crepey Skin on Face
Written by: Tiffany Ramberg
Crepey skin occurs when the skin weakens, adopting a saggy and wrinkled appearance that resembles crepe paper. Many patients seek to get rid of crepey skin on the face and body since the skin may appear thin, dry, and creased. In some cases, the skin may be so delicate that bruises or blood vessels are visible underneath.
Crepey skin most frequently occurs on the face, neck, hands, and arms, areas of the body that are most exposed to the sun and other environmental factors. Fortunately, there are numerous ways to prevent and treat crepey skin.
What Causes Crepey Skin?
Several factors can contribute to the development of crepey skin, but the most common cause is exposure to UV radiation. Over time, the sun’s UVA and UVB rays can gradually break down the skin’s collagen and elastin, leading to a loss of elasticity and firmness. When the skin is less firm, it is unable to bounce back to its previous position after being stretched. Other causes of crepey skin include:
- Smoking
- Lack of adequate sleep
- Pollution or other environmental irritants
- High levels of stress
- Excess alcohol consumption
- Dehydration
- Aging
5 Ways to Prevent Crepey Skin on the Face and Body
The best treatment for crepey skin is prevention, and there are multiple ways to help protect your skin from losing its elasticity:
1. Wear SPF
The best way to prevent crepey skin is to wear sunscreen with at least SPF 30 every day, rain or shine, to shield your skin against harmful UV radiation. Studies show that even blue light from our phones and computers may cause damage to our skin cells, as well as infrared radiation and pollution.
Cascade Eye & Skin Centers recommend using sunscreens from the Colorescience Total Protection collection, which contains a patented Enviroscreen technology that protects against UVA and UVB radiation, blue light, infrared light, and environmental pollution.
2. Avoid Sun Exposure
UV rays can damage collagen and elastin and lead to the development of skin spots, skin cancer, wrinkle, fine lines, and crepey skin. Along with wearing sunscreen every day, the CDC suggests:
- Seek shade under a tree or umbrella
- Wear a hat with a brim all the way around
- Protect your eyes with sunglasses
- Wear long-sleeved clothing
3. Keep Your Skin Hydrated and Moisturized
Keeping your skin hydrated requires you to drink the recommended amount of water every day and use an effective moisturizer. The dermatologists at Cascade Eye & Skin Centers recommend using products with hyaluronic acid to lock moisture in your skin.
4. Quit Smoking and Limit Alcohol Consumption
Smoking can cause significant damage to the skin, dehydrating it and accelerating the natural aging process. Tobacco users tend to notice:
- Deeper wrinkles
- Pronounced sunspots
- Uneven skin pigmentation
- Puffiness under the eyes
- Lines around the lips
- Crepey skin
Excess alcohol consumption can also substantially affect the quality of your skin and lead to signs of premature aging.
5. Eat a Healthy, Well-Balanced Diet
Eating a healthy and well-balanced diet is another practical way to prevent crepey skin. Nutritious foods are packed with essential nutrients, vitamins, and antioxidants that are critical to maintaining healthy skin and hindering the development of crepey skin.
5 Ways to Get Rid of Crepey Skin on the Face and Body
Although many of these prevention methods may be used to help get rid of crepey skin, there are a number of treatments available as well. Your treatment will vary based on the crepey skin’s severity, where the skin is located, and what caused it.
The most effective treatments for crepey skin include:
1. Prescription Tretinoin
Tretinoin is a prescription medication that offers a variety of benefits, including:
- Fights acne
- Minimizes fine lines
- Reduces pore size
- Improves skin texture
Physician-grade retinol derived from Vitamin A, such as Skin Medical Retinol, can also increase collagen production and improve the skin’s elasticity.
2. Alpha Hydroxy Acids
Using daily physician-grade products containing alpha-hydroxy acids such as glycolic, lactic, or mandelic may also help get rid of crepey skin. Cascade Eye & Skin Centers recommend using Glytone Rejuvenating face and body lotions or Skin Medica AHA/BHA cream and cleanser.
Our licensed dermatologists also recommend a monthly professional chemical exfoliation, such as one of our chemical peels.
3. Laser Treatment
Laser treatment is one of the most successful solutions for crepey skin, superficial veins, scarring, birthmarks, unwanted pigmentation, and more. At Cascade, we offer the following laser treatments:
- Fraxel® Dual restore
- Fraxel® CO2 repair
- Clear + Brilliant™
- Intense Pulse Light (IPL) skin rejuvenation
- VBeam Perfecta Pulsed Dye Laser (PDL)
These non-invasive procedures use heat waves to generate heat and stimulate collagen production while offering minimal downtime.
4. Dermal Fillers
Dermal fillers can also be utilized to help improve crepey skin. Fillers are a minimally invasive procedure that adds volume to your skin and reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Cascade uses the following lasers:
- Juvéderm® XC
- Radiesse®
- Restylane® Silk
- Restylane® Lyft
- Sculptra®
- Voluma®
5. Surgery
In some cases, surgery may be necessary to remove crepey skin. This treatment option is often elected for those who have lost a significant amount of weight. The most common surgical procedures for crepey skin are:
- Facelifts
- Blepharoplasties
- Neck lifts
- Brow lifts
Get Help for Crepey Skin at Cascade
At Cascade Eye & Skin Centers, we understand that struggling with signs of aging like crepey skin can significantly impact your self-esteem. If you are interested in learning more about ways to minimize the appearance of crepey skin and how to keep your skin firm and youthful, contact Cascade today to schedule a complimentary cosmetic consultation. At your free consultation, you will have the opportunity to work with our master aestheticians to create a customized treatment plan for you.
Check out our online store now to view the extensive range of products we offer.
