
Other extrinsic factors include air pollution, hormonal changes, and internal and external stress. Without collagen and elastin fibers, there is nothing to hold the skin together. "UV radiation and free radicals break down our collagen and elastin fibers, which provide structure and support to the skin," says Julie Russak, MD, FAAD, board certified dermatologist and founder of the Russak Dermatology Clinic. Intrinsic factors are genetics and overall metabolic health of the body, while extrinsic factors are mostly due to damage caused from the sun. The reason skin becomes loose and crepey is a result of both intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Protecting your skin from UV radiation, moisturizing regularly, and applying ingredients that help stimulate collagen are effective ways to minimize crepeyness. While the aging process can't be stopped, there are certain things dermatologists recommend to make loose, crepey skin less apparent. Ultimately, the latter can cause our skin to change in appearance over time. Loose, wrinkled skin is a normal part of the aging process, caused by decades of smiles and the natural slowing of cellular turnover and collagen production.
