Facial wrinkles are often the visible signs of aging. These include fine lines and creases on the facial skin. Wrinkles are usually seen on the forehead, under the eyes, around the mouth, and on the cheeks. These wrinkles and fine lines often tend to make the person older than they are. Aging is one of the many causes of facial wrinkles. Premature wrinkling is caused by many factors such as excessive exposure to sun. Research has shown that the intensity of facial wrinkles also depends on the race and ethnicity of the people. Here are some of the causes of wrinkles:

Aging
As we grow old, the skin gradually loses its elasticity due to reduced production of collagen in the body leading to sagging of the skin. It progressively becomes thinner, drier, and loses its capacity of self-repair with time allowing fine lines, creases, and wrinkles to form. This is a natural process in aging.

Exposure to sun
Exposure to UV rays emitted from the sun causes tremendous damage to skin and leads to premature aging. UVA rays penetrate deep inside the skin and break down the collagen and elastin fiber causing loss of elasticity to the skin. UVB rays damage the skin by causing sunburns and wrinkles on the skin.

Genetics
Genetics can be a cause of facial wrinkles. If an individual has deep facial wrinkles, his offspring are more likely to develop them.

Smoking
As always smoking tops the list of things to avoid in skin care too. Toxins in the cigarettes damage the skin causing aging and the positioning of the cigarette between the lips causes the wrinkling of the skin around the mouth.

Inadequate nutrition
Foods lacking vitamins and minerals and increased dependency on processed foods will lead to premature aging causing wrinkles on the face.

Dry skin
Dry skin is susceptible to damage and wrinkles. Inadequate oils in the body and dehydration may cause cracking up and clumping of the collagen molecules in the skin.

Lack of sleep
It is during sleep that the toxins are flushed out of the body. Lack of sleep alters the pH of the skin and dehydrates it.

Stress
Cortisol levels in the body rise due to stress altering the ability of the skin to stay hydrated.

Sugar
Sugar used as a sweetener in many foods undergoes a process called glycation in the body. This process weakens the collagen and elastin in the skin. Sugar also releases toxins that cause premature aging of the skin.