What is crepey skin: why it happens and how to get rid of it

Aaah! You catch a glimpse of yourself in the not-so-great lighting in your bathroom mirror and suddenly notice that the skin around your eyes, neck, chest, arms, and hands has a crepe-paper appearance. There’s nothing worse than finding out. Similar to fine lines and wrinkles, this new texture is a sign that your skin is losing its youthful firmness. Even though it’s named after the party staple crepe paper, we’re by no means celebrating its arrival. Here, dermatologists reveal what flaky skin is and the different ways to minimize its appearance and rejuvenate your skin for smoother, more youthful results.

What causes crepey skin?

“Creepy skin is caused by loss of collagen and elastin, which reduces the firmness and elasticity of the skin,” explains Rebecca Marcus, M.D., board-certified dermatologist and founder of MaeiMD. “Collagen naturally declines with age, but this process can be accelerated by DNA damage caused by exposure to ultraviolet light and free radicals.”

That’s why wearing sunscreen is the number one piece of advice commonly heard when it comes to preventing the formation of flaky skin. This is also why they are most likely to occur in areas exposed to the sun, such as the arms, legs, chest, and backs of the hands. It also often appears around the eyes, where the skin is naturally thin.

There are other factors as well. “Genetic predisposition may also play a role,” adds Dr. Dendy Engelman, a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist and Mohs surgeon at the Schaefer Clinic in New York City. She also cites various lifestyle factors, including diet and smoking, as causes. Research also suggests that lack of sleep can contribute to overall skin aging.

What is the best treatment for crepey skin?

According to dermatologists, keeping your skin hydrated is the number one way to minimize flaky skin. Dr. Marcus explains that dehydration can cause crepey skin, “similar to the wrinkles that form on your fingertips after being submerged in water for an extended period of time.” Therefore, moisturizers containing humectants such as hyaluronic acid and glycerin are a must for those who want to minimize flaky skin. Moisturizers “help draw moisture into your skin, making it more hydrated and plump,” she explains. This will help temporarily fill in very fine lines, which will help make them look less creepy. ”

But beyond that, there are important elements that can further heighten the spookiness of various locations. Let’s try it here.

Crepey neck and décolleté? Try peptides

The secret to solving the creepiness in the area on the south side of the chin is peptides. why? Dr. Marcus explains that these skin perfectors “help stimulate collagen production and promote skin firmness.” Dr. Engelman likes to pair them with extra moisturizing ingredients. She chose Elizabeth Arden’s Prevage Anti-Aging Neck and Décolletage Firm and Repair Cream (purchased at Macy’s, $122) “Contains powerful peptides, shea and palm butter, hyaluronic acid, and retinyl linoleate, lupine. Because it’s a rich cream, seed extract and lipoamino acids support collagen production and improve elasticity. ”

If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly option, try Olay Regenerist Night Recovery Cream (purchased from Ulta, $36.99), which is packed with a special amino peptide complex.

Crepey legs and arms?Choose antioxidants

At the end of the day, overcoming body creepiness requires combating sun damage, maintaining a healthy skin barrier, and locking in moisture. That’s why Dr. Engelman recommends looking for lotions that contain antioxidants and omega fatty acids to revitalize your skin.

“One affordable option I recommend is Gold Bond Crepe Corrector Lotion (purchased from Amazon, $11.37), which tightens dry, aging skin and is packed with omega fatty acids and protective antioxidants. Because it’s formulated to be hypoallergenic, suitable for sensitive skin, and easily available at your local drugstore.”

Crepe hands?Choose Shea and Glycerin

Hand-washing will once again be a top priority as we approach the “triple-demic” season, when experts predict a surge in coronavirus infections, respiratory syncytial virus and influenza. That’s why Dr. Engelman recommends using moisturizing and soothing ingredients like shea butter and glycerin to plump thin hand skin and “prevent dryness, cracking, and wrinkles.” .

One to try is La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Hand Cream (purchased from Walgreens, $11).

A crepey complexion?Apply plenty of retinol and alpha hydroxy acids

An anti-aging go-to, a vitamin A derivative called retinol “stimulates collagen production in the skin, which increases cell turnover in targeted areas and helps tighten the skin and reduce wrinkles and sagging.” Dr. Engelman explains. Her note: Especially if you’re using it for the first time, pay attention to the concentration to ensure it’s just right while still being gentle enough to work on your skin. “It’s important to start slow to condition your skin to higher concentrations,” she insists. She recommends initially increasing the concentration from 0.25% to 0.5%. ” Try: SkinMedica Retinol Complex 0.25 (purchased from DermStore, $64).

Another, cheaper option is AHAs like glycolic acid and lactic acid, which “gently exfoliate the skin and help improve cell turnover,” explains Dr. Marcus. So not only do they help improve spookiness, but they also “help make your skin look brighter and more radiant,” she says.

Try: Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution (purchased from Ulta, $13).

Crepey eyes?Choose a silicone patch

AHAs and retinols are good for most areas of the face, but they can sting and irritate sensitive eye skin. Dr. Engelman suggests using a reusable patch made of medical-grade silicone. It “occlusions and locks in moisture around the eye area to help reduce the appearance of wrinkles” without any additional skin care ingredients. Just apply it for a few minutes a day or overnight to let it work its smoothing magic on your skin.

Try: Dr. Dennis Gross DermInfusions™ Lift + Repair Eye Mask ($9 from Sephora).

What is the best office treatment for crepe skin?

If home methods do not work, and you want to make your skin even smoother, consult a dermatologist and look for other ways to overcome creepiness. Here are four treatments you might want to try.

1. Dermal fillers

Although expensive (syringes can cost $500 to $1,000 or more), “dermal fillers are an option for targeting specific areas of the face and neck to address wrinkles, volume loss, and unsightliness. ” says Dr. Engelman. She specifically recommends Hyper Dilute Her Radiesse, which plumps by “gradually tightening targeted areas to create smoother, firmer, and more youthful-looking skin.”

2. Ultratherapy

Ultratherapy is most effective on targeted face and neck areas and “uses high-intensity ultrasound technology to target the deep layers of the skin and stimulate collagen production,” says Dr. Engelman. I will explain. “Your skin gradually tightens and tightens over several weeks.” Each session takes about 45 minutes to an hour, and while there may be some discomfort, there’s no downtime. Expect to pay: $1200 to $5000.

3. Laser resurfacing

“Laser resurfacing uses energy to create micro-injuries in the skin, and the skin’s natural healing response produces collagen, which helps tighten and smooth the skin’s surface,” says Dr. Marcus. Most effective for moderate to severe cases. Downtime can vary from a few hours to more than two weeks, with high-end options costing from a few hundred dollars to more than $1,000 per session.

4. Microneedling

Simply put, this option works by triggering the skin’s healing process by pricking the skin with a needle. “It increases collagen and elastin production, improving skin texture and firmness, while reducing fine lines and wrinkles,” says Dr. Engelman. She takes it a step further with Profound RF (Radio Frequency), which “combines microneedling and her RF energy to target deeper layers of the skin with thermal energy,” she explains. RealSelf.com estimates the average cost of Profound RF to be $4,270, while microneedling costs $650. (Click to learn about a microneedling technology called Morpheus8 and how it helped one woman get rid of her “turkey neck.”)

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