Crepey skin is a common concern as we age. It’s characterized by skin that appears thin, wrinkled, and crinkled like crepe paper. While crepey skin is a natural part of aging, there are some things you can do to improve its appearance and make it look and feel smoother and firmer.
What causes crepey skin?
Crepey skin occurs due to a loss of collagen, elastin, and moisture in the skin. As we get older, our skin naturally produces less collagen and elastin, which are proteins that help keep skin strong, supple, and elastic. When these proteins decrease, skin becomes thinner, looser, and more fragile. Dryness also contributes to crepey skin. As we age, skin’s ability to retain moisture diminishes. This dryness causes skin to lose fullness and take on a crinkled texture.
Can you tighten crepey skin?
While you can’t completely eliminate crepey skin without cosmetic procedures, there are some effective ways to improve its appearance and help tighten it up:
Moisturize daily
Keeping skin well-hydrated can plump up crepey areas and smooth out wrinkles. Look for a rich moisturizer containing ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, ceramides, and shea butter. Apply liberally every morning and night.
Exfoliate regularly
Exfoliating removes dead skin cells that can accentuate crepey skin’s wrinkles. Use a gentle scrub or chemical exfoliant 2-3 times per week to buff away dull, flaky skin. This reveals smoother and firmer skin underneath.
Try retinoids
Retinoids like retinol and tretinoin stimulate collagen production and cell turnover. With consistent use, they can improve skin thickness and elasticity. Start with an over-the-counter retinol cream used 2-3 nights per week and gradually increase frequency based on skin’s tolerance.
Use peptide serums
Peptides are amino acid chains that also promote collagen growth for firmer skin. Look for serums containing peptides like argireline and palmitoyl pentapeptide. These can help tighten crepey areas when used daily.
Eat collagen-boosting foods
A diet rich in collagen-building nutrients can support skin’s collagen. Focus on vitamin C foods like citrus, leafy greens, berries, and tomatoes. Also eat foods with zinc like pumpkin seeds, chickpeas, and grass-fed beef as well as vitamin A-rich sweet potatoes, carrots, and spinach.
Stay hydrated
Drink plenty of water throughout the day. Dehydration leads to dry, saggy skin. Aim for at least eight glasses of water daily to support skin cell function and elasticity.
Protect skin from sun
UV rays degrade collagen and elastin over time. Always wear SPF 30 sunscreen when going outside. Cover up with hats, sunglasses and protective clothing as well.
Quit smoking
Smoking restricts blood flow to the skin. This accelerates collagen and elastin breakdown. Avoid tobacco products to prevent further damage.
Manage stress
High stress levels increase inflammation and glucocorticoid production, which can worsen crepey skin. Make time for relaxing activities like meditation, yoga, or massages.
Medical treatments for crepey skin
For more drastic improvements in crepey skin, there are several medical treatments you can consider:
Laser skin resurfacing
Laser resurfacing with fractional CO2 or Erbium lasers improves crepey skin by stimulating collagen growth and removing damaged outer skin layers. It requires several treatments but results are longer-lasting.
Microneedling
During this treatment, the dermatologist uses a device with tiny needles to puncture the skin. This triggers collagen production. When combined with radiofrequency energy, microneedling also heats the deep layers of skin to stimulate tighter collagen fibers.
Chemical peels
Chemical peels exfoliate away crepey surface skin using acidic solutions. Medium-depth peels are often used to smooth crepey neck skin. Multiple treatments provide gradual tightening and brightness.
Morpheus8
The Morpheus8 device uses microneedling RF energy to heat the dermis while simultaneously adding fractionated bi-polar radio frequency energy to stimulate tighter collagen. It smooths fine lines, firms crepey areas and improves skin texture.
Ultrasound skin tightening
Focused ultrasound devices send targeted waves below the skin’s surface to heat the tissue. This induces collagen remodeling and tightening. Common devices used for crepey skin include Ultherapy and FaceTite.
Injectable fillers
Hyaluronic acid fillers like Juvederm and Restylane can fill in crepey wrinkles and folds. Results tend to last 6-12 months. Radiesse and Sculptra stimulate long term collagen production for more permanent wrinkle improvement.
Home devices for crepey skin
In addition to professional treatments, there are also some at-home devices that can help treat crepey skin:
LED light therapy masks
These masks deliver red and near-infrared LED light to skin which boosts collagen growth. Used a few times per week, LED masks can improve crepey skin’s firmness and elasticity.
Radiofrequency devices
Handheld RF devices use radiofrequency energy to heat skin tissue and stimulate collagen. Brands like NuFACE Trinity and Silk’n Titan provide temporary tightening of crepey areas when used regularly.
Microcurrent devices
Microcurrent uses gentle electrical currents to tone facial muscles and lift skin. Daily use of devices like Ziip Microcurrent, NuFACE FIX, or MYOLIFT MINI provide gradual tightening over time.
Derma rollers
These handheld tools with microneedles on a roller head gently puncture skin to activate collagen growth when rolled over skin. Choose 0.2-0.5mm needles for crepey skin improvement.
Preventing future crepey skin
While crepey skin from aging is unavoidable, there are some preventive measures you can take to keep skin firmer longer:
- Wear sunscreen daily
- Eat a skin-healthy diet with produce, lean proteins and healthy fats
- Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water
- Don’t smoke
- Use antioxidants like vitamin C and retinol
- Incorporate collagen-boosting supplements
- Limit repetitive facial expressions that cause wrinkles
- Avoid excessive alcohol intake which dehydrates skin
When to see a dermatologist
If over-the-counter creams and at-home devices aren’t providing enough improvement, make an appointment with a board-certified dermatologist. They can assess your skin and determine the best cosmetic procedures to help tone and tighten crepey areas.
A dermatologist can also make sure your crepey skin isn’t related to an underlying medical condition. In rare cases, crepey skin can be a sign of:
- Cushing’s syndrome – high cortisol levels thin and weaken skin
- Ehlers Danlos syndrome – a genetic disorder affecting collagen
- Diabetes – high blood sugar damages collagen
- Steroid medications – can weaken skin over time
Getting an accurate diagnosis for sudden onset or severe crepey skin can help guide proper treatment.
Conclusion
Crepey skin can be frustrating, but know that you have options to improve its appearance. Using hydrating skincare products, collagen-boosting ingredients, and medical treatments can significantly tone and tighten loose, crinkled areas. While crepey skin worsens with time, taking proper preventive measures can help delay its progression and keep skin looking smoother and firmer for longer.