What causes premature aging?

The main cause of premature aging of the skin is excess sun exposure to rays UVA and UVB. These rays result is excessive oxidation of the collagen and elastin fibers, which results in a process called "crosslinking." Normally, collagen and elastin fibers are found in nice thick even rows spread parallel to the skin surface in the basal layer of the skin. With cross linking, the fibers become disorganized and entangled into many disorganized bundles which cause the skin to dimple, sag and become susceptible to the force of gravity. Muscles of expression further result in deep lines caused by repeated use.

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