Anne-Marie van Geloven
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Live your best life & take care​

12/15/2018 Comments

Aquatic wrinkles

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After about spending some time in bathtub or in the pool, we can notice that our skin on particularly finger tops and toes start to wrinkle up. This wrinkling effect is believed to have a function.

When wet, things tend to be more slippery and our sophisticated skin is designed to counteract this by wrinkling up in a pattern optimised to provide a drainage network that improves grip, much like the tires on a car according to a study. 
Link to original publication. However, other studies would contradict that there would be a functional benefit for so called aquatic wrinkles.

The osmosis theory
Water molecules moving trough a semipermeable membrane from a low concentration area to a high concentration area is a process called osmosis. The shrinking and expanding effects of osmosis takes place simultaneously outer layer of the skin, causing wrinkles.

The skin's outermost layer is also known as stratum corner could be responsible for this wrinkly reaction, The top layer of our skin consists of dead corneocytes. The longer these cells are attached to the skin, the bigger they are. The size of the corneocytes we actually use to objectively measure the skin's renewal and desquamation (shedding of cells) process. These dead (keratin containing) skin cells may absorb water and swell. The lower layer with living cells doesn't swell up. As top layer (which is increased in size) is still attached to the layer beneath, a wrinkly pattern is formed. The layer of dead skin cells is thicker at the palms of our hands and soles of our feet, the wrinkling effect is more evident. 
This response occurs more quickly in freshwater than seawater. Moreover, when we are exposed to water for a longer time, the water-repelling film on top of the outer layer of the skin may get impaired.

The sympathetic nervous system / microcirculation theory
It's known that there is a relationship between the wrinkling-effect and blood vessels constricting (narrowing) below the skin. When hands and feet are soaked in water, the nerve fibres in the skin shrink and the body temperature regulators loses volume. Therewith the top layer of the skin is pulled downward and the wrinkling pattern is formed. It is proven that wrinkling-effect response is impaired, if the nerves and/or blood vessels are damaged. Therewith the wrinkling effect can even be used to determine proper functioning of the sympathetic nervous system and/or skin's microcirculation. There is evidence that the wrinkling effect is impaired in patients suffering from diabetes: link to article. 

Regardless the cause, aquatic wrinkles disappear fast and the skin returns to normal once the water has evaporated.
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Take care.

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    ABOUT THIS SITE AND ME

    There is an overwhelming variety of contradicting information and opinions, leaving us all a bit confused. As a hybrid between an expert, scientist and skinfluencer, I will attempt to detangle and debunk skin or related topics one after the other. It might be a long journey, as our knowledge gets deeper, our innovations faster, our demands higher and our dreams bigger. I hope you will find this blog informative, useful and wish you enjoy many visits and don't hesitate to leave your comments in the comment box.

    "Live your best life & take care"

    I hold a full-time job a senior global medical & innovation manager in a top tier German skin care company. My specialty is frequently referred to as "anti-ageing". As anti-ageist I rather call it regenerative skin care and procedures. My passion is my profession: everything related to skin care, dermatology and aesthetics. 

    This is my private blog, all opinions expressed are my own & 100% honest.

    ​All rights reserved. The information provided is not intended as substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek professional medical advice from your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or problem. ​

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