When I’m sitting with a client in my Brisbane studio, and they ask, “What causes the skin to have wrinkles?” I know they’re really after the lowdown on why fine lines seem to pop up out of nowhere, why crow’s feet get deeper after a summer in the sun, or why forehead wrinkles stick around even when the face is at rest.
Let’s start with the CliffsNotes version: wrinkles form when collagen and elastin get a bit beat up from UV rays, repeated muscle movements, oxidative stress and plain old natural aging. But here’s the thing: that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
Wrinkles are just small or deep folds that pop up when the skin’s connective tissue just loses its mojo over time, which is why many clients ask if they can rebuild collagen in the face when exploring anti-ageing options. Inside the dermis, collagen and elastin are like scaffolding, keeping everything in place, but as collagen slows down and elastic fibres get all floppy, the skin just can’t bounce back when you crease it with a facial expression.
In Brisbane, I’ve seen far too many people prematurely wrinkle due to UV radiation and photo damage. Essentially, UVA light breaks down collagen and weakens elastin, causing your skin to wrinkle much earlier than you’d expect. And let’s be real, the subcutaneous layer changes with age too, altering those all-important facial contours.
Skin ageing isn’t something that happens to everyone at the same rate. Some clients start to wrinkle early because of lifestyle choices, others because of genetics, and then there’s the poor souls who’ve had their skin battered by chronic sun exposure. And with Queensland’s UV light being what it is, even a quick trip outdoors without SPF 30 can trigger a chain of events that damages your skin.
A few of the things that can really accelerate wrinkling include:
I always say that a holistic approach is the way to go because skin damage usually isn’t coming from just one place.
Most people start noticing fine lines in their late 20s, even though the actual ageing process starts earlier. Collagen production naturally slows down by 1% per year after age 25, which is why those tiny little expression lines start to turn into deeper static wrinkles.
You’ll typically see:
And let’s be real, if you’re not slapping on sun cream or broad-spectrum sunscreen every day, sun exposure, especially in Brisbane, is just going to make them all appear sooner.
Understanding the difference between fine lines and wrinkles helps us choose the right cosmetic treatment or skincare routine.
| Feature | Fine Lines | Wrinkles |
|---|---|---|
| Depth | Surface-level creases | Deeper folds involving connective tissue |
| Cause | Dehydration, early collagen loss, and sun damage | Collagen and elastin breakdown, muscle activity |
| Common Areas | Under the eyes, around the mouth | Forehead wrinkles, crow’s feet, frown lines |
| Best Treated With | Hyaluronic acid, antioxidant ingredients, barrier repair | Vitamin A, chemical peel, dermal filler, Botulinum toxin type A |
Fine lines mostly relate to hydration and superficial ageing. Wrinkles involve bigger structural changes — and often a combination of skin damage from UV rays, facial expressions, and collagen decline.
Over nearly two decades of working with thousands of clients, I’ve learned that wrinkles just don’t stand a chance when confronted with a multi-step skin-rejuvenation plan and a consistent approach to skincare.
Some clients swear by combining these treatments with a holistic approach to skincare, gentle and sustained, it’s the way to go for facial rejuvenation.
You’d be amazed at how much what you eat affects your skin’s ageing process. Certain nutrients protect against UV radiation, oxidative stress and even help prevent connective tissue breakdown.
A global dermatology review way back in 2026 found that diets chock full of antioxidants showed as much as a 24% decrease in visible wrinkles – especially when paired with a trusty SPF.
Stopping wrinkles before they start is much easier than trying to fix them later. If there’s one thing I wish everyone would start doing from a young age – it’s this:
Those UV rays are responsible for most of the visible signs of ageing on your face. Using a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher protects you against UVA and UVB rays, which in turn reduce sun and photo damage and other adverse effects, such as skin cancer.
Other things you can do to prevent wrinkles:
Consistently doing all this is what will make a difference in preventing wrinkles.
Home care can be pretty powerful – as long as you’re using it in conjunction with what a pro tells you to do:
But don’t go crazy with those DIY scrubs – they just damage your skin and make it all worse.
Ageing isn’t a bad thing. It’s a journey we all go through, and it’s not all bad. Time outdoors, learning, laughter, it’s all part of growing older. And sure, wrinkles are part of that, but if you want to keep your skin looking and feeling its best, there are some genuinely helpful ways to keep it looking young and healthy.
If you want some more tailored advice, or if you’ve been searching for a “facials near me“, pop into our studio. I’d love to help you come up with a skincare plan that actually works for you.
I’m often asked, “What causes the skin to have wrinkles?” The main drivers are a natural decline in collagen and elastin, combined with external factors like sun exposure and lifestyle habits.
From my clinical experience, wrinkles develop as the skin gradually loses structure, hydration, and elasticity over time. Factors like UV damage, repetitive facial movement, and skin barrier weakening all contribute to how quickly this process appears. For me, managing ageing skin is about protection, supporting collagen, and maintaining a consistent routine that helps the skin stay resilient and balanced.
— Sevine Foster
Both, but UV rays are by far the biggest culprit when it comes to long-term damage to your skin.
Yeah, especially the ones with retinoids, hyaluronic acid and antioxidants. But those deeper lines, you might need to see a pro to get those sorted.
Yes, they’re a major contributor to premature ageing and skin cancer, so you really should steer clear of them.
When it’s done by someone who knows what they’re doing, it’s safe and can really help with those wrinkles.
Absolutely. Eating foods rich in antioxidants can help reduce oxidative stress and keep your skin looking its absolute best.
