[6 MIN READ]

In this article:

• The best way to prevent crepey skin is to protect it from ultraviolet (UV) light, which comes from the sun and tanning beds.

• If you already have crepey skin, you can use moisturizers and over-the-counter products to improve its appearance.

• Dermatologists offer high-level therapy for crepey skin that hasn’t responded to mild treatments. 

What causes crepey skin? How to prevent and treat it

Maybe you’ve noticed, in recent years, that the skin on your forearms and upper chest has become thin and wrinkled. You’ve been increasingly tempted to either respond to one of those relentless ads offering miracle skin products or to break out your wallet at the cosmetics counter and purchase an array of expensive cleansers and moisturizers.

Hold onto your money, because there can be more economical solutions — try starting with a bottle of sunscreen, a moisturizer and a gentle soap. Ramya Rao, M.D., a Providence dermatologist who sees patients in Irvine, California, explains what causes crepey skin and some simple steps you can take to improve its appearance and your skin health.

What causes crepey skin?

Crepey skin, explains Dr. Rao, is a common phenomenon as you age. “It looks like gift wrap tissue when it gets crumpled up,” she says. “When you pinch it, it can stay bunched up.”

Most of the time, Dr. Rao says, the cause of crepey skin is exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays. In other words, it occurs when you have spent too much time in the sun or in tanning beds without appropriately protecting yourself by wearing sunscreen.

However, there are other causes for crepey skin, too, including:

• Aging – Over time, your skin loses the ability to repair and reproduce skin structures.
• Genetics – Some people age much faster than others, regardless of other factors. Fair-skinned individuals are more susceptible to photodamage, and thus may be more at risk for crepey skin.
• Dry skin – As you age, your oil glands do not produce as much natural oil.
• Smoking and pollution – These factors are also known to increase the signs of aging skin.
• Rapid weight loss – Quickly losing a lot of weight can result in sagging skin. In time, it may tighten, but many patients with significant weight loss may need surgery to remove excess skin. 

Do men get crepey skin?

While crepey skin is often associated with women, men, too, can have crepey skin as they age. In particular, men who get a lot of sun exposure throughout their lifetime may find their skin is looking more wrinkly when they reach their 50s and 60s.

“Both men and women experience it,” says Dr. Rao, “but because women deal with a lot of hormonal changes as they age, they may see it more.” 

Where does crepey skin appear?

Crepey skin can appear on nearly all parts of the body — especially those that are exposed to UV rays.

Crepey skin on arms

Your arms are an area of your body that is often exposed to direct sunlight. To prevent crepey skin on your arms and skin damage, Dr. Rao suggests using special gloves or sleeves that block the sun’s rays. “I use them when I drive,” she says. 

Crepey skin on legs

While legs are more blocked from the sun than arms, they can still suffer from sun damage. Dr. Rao recommends covering up your legs with protective clothing such as UV-blocking pants, or using a sunscreen with a high sun protection factor (SPF).

Crepey skin on neck and face

You can best protect the skin on your neck and face, Dr. Rao says, with a wide-brimmed hat. This is perhaps the part of the body that should be protected the most because it is exposed all the time.

How to prevent crepey skin

Preventing crepey skin, Dr. Rao says, is relatively simple: “Minimize your exposure to the sun and other UV sources, such as tanning beds,” she says. “If you do have to be outdoors, it’s good to do so at a time when the UV index is low. Otherwise, you should stay in the shade. Use sunscreen that is SPF 30 or higher. It’s important to apply sunscreen every day, and then every two hours throughout the day.”

Learn more UV protection tips here.

Common misconceptions about treating crepey skin

Over the years, some people have mistakenly thought the following treatments would help them treat crepey skin — and they won’t.

• Collagen supplementation – Collagen is a very large molecule; if ingested, it gets broken down and does not reach the skin intact. Alternatively, if it is rubbed onto the skin, it can’t penetrate the skin layers, which means it won’t help damaged skin.
• Drinking a lot of water – Drinking water is essential for your circulatory and renal system, and for keeping your inner organs well hydrated. However, it won’t repair dry or aged skin. 

Over-the-counter treatments for crepey skin

Fortunately, there are a number of inexpensive over-the-counter treatments for crepey skin:

• Antioxidants like vitamins C and E – These vitamins reverse the oxidation process that causes cellular damage.
• Retinoids (vitamin A derivatives) – These turn skin cell layers over faster, revealing fresher, smoother, more evenly pigmented skin. Be cautious when using these products, as they tend to be drying to the skin; for example, use a pea-sized amount to cover the entire face. Retinoids are offered in over-the-counter or prescription strengths.
• Alpha hydroxy acids (“AHA’s”) – These have similar effects to retinoids on anti-aging, but they generally are less drying and better tolerated. The most common one is glycolic acid, which is a derivative of sugar cane. Another lactic acid is available as AmLactin or Lac-Hydrin.
• Beta hydroxy acids – The most common one is salicylic acid; these are also somewhat helpful in reducing wrinkles. 

“It’s essential that you put on moisturizer,” says Dr. Rao, “especially right after you shower, when you’re a little damp.”

When to see a Providence dermatologist

If you’ve used several of the above at-home products for eight to 10 weeks and haven’t noticed an improvement, says Dr. Rao, it’s time to see a dermatologist. “Or,” she says, “if you just feel like you have advanced crepey skin and you want some stronger options, you can call us then, too.”

Dermatology specialists offer many solutions to improve the appearance of crepey, aging skin. They range from less invasive procedures that have little recovery time, to more invasive procedures that may keep a person out of the public eye for several weeks.

• Prescription-strength medications – These include stronger retinoids like Retin-A (tretinoin), AHAs, antioxidants and other products containing peptides.
• Face peels – Applied in the office; you will be slightly pink and puffy for a few days before your skin peels. Multiple treatments are generally required.
• Microdermabrasion – The older, dry, top layers of the skin are peeled off with an abrasive sanding wheel or abrasive spray. Dead skin cells are vacuumed away. You will be pink for a few days. Multiple treatments are needed.
• Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) – This laser-like device can help serious wrinkles, brown spots, broken capillaries and red skin. Requires several treatments.
• Botox – Used for lines on the face due to the muscles of facial expression creasing the skin.
• Fillers – Used for loss of volume of the skin and filling these areas out. Can make the skin appear less wrinkled on the surface.
• Surgical treatments – Facelifts, blepharoplasties (upper eyelid tightening) and neck lifts can also improve crepey skin.

However, Dr. Rao cautions, all of the above treatments merely treat crepey skin, and they don’t eliminate it. “Crepey skin can be minimized to a certain extent, but it cannot be reversed,” she says.

Schedule an appointment with a Providence dermatologist today.

Contributing caregiver

Ramya Rao, M.D., is a Providence dermatologist who sees patients at St. Joseph Heritage Medical Group - Irvine.

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This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your health care professional’s instructions.