Do thinner people develop more wrinkles over time?

There's an old saying that as we age, you have to pick between the look of your face and your backside. In other words, being skinny might make your rear look great, but it could mean more wrinkles on your face.

As gloomy as it may sound, there's some truth behind this saying. Several studies show that women with a low body mass index (BMI) tend to experience more skin aging. One study involving identical twins found that, before the age of 40, the heavier twin appeared older. But after 40, it was the thinner twin who seemed to age faster [source: Guyuron].

Do slimmer women appear older, or do they actually have more wrinkles? In fact, both are true. 'Generally, as your BMI decreases, you lose some soft tissue volume, especially after 40,' says Robert Weiss, MD, Dermatologist at the Maryland Laser Skin and Vein Institute, Associate Professor of Dermatology at Johns Hopkins University, and Fellow with the American Academy of Dermatology. 'When you lose that volume, wrinkles tend to become deeper or more visible.'

It doesn't help that slimmer women are often more prone to engage in behaviors known to cause wrinkles. For instance, thinner women may be more inclined to sunbathe in a bikini or, to maintain their slim figures, they may smoke or yo-yo diet.

If thinner women have more wrinkles, does the reverse hold true? Yes, heavier women may appear less wrinkled with age, as they have more fat under the skin (subcutaneous fat). They might also have a bit more collagen (the protein responsible for skin's elasticity), says Dr. Weiss. However, don’t think that avoiding wrinkles is an excuse to overeat junk food. Being overweight brings a range of health issues that outweigh any benefit of fewer wrinkles.

You don’t need to be full-figured to prevent wrinkles. The key is taking good care of your skin. Keep reading for tips on how to avoid prematurely aging skin.

How to Prevent Wrinkles

Wrinkles are an inevitable part of growing older, and while it's impossible to prevent all creases, there are ways to protect your skin from excess wrinkling, regardless of your body weight.

Practice effective sun protection. The best way to prevent wrinkles is by shielding your skin from the sun. UV rays from the sun are responsible for approximately 90% of all wrinkles [sources: WebMD, Merck Source]. Use sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher that offers UVA/UVB protection. Stay covered or seek shade from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the peak sun hours. Avoid tanning salons as well.

Quit smoking. Some people smoke to prevent weight gain. It's true that smokers tend to weigh 4 to 10 pounds (1.8 to 4.5 kilograms) less than non-smokers who eat and exercise similarly, and they often regain that weight when they quit. However, smoking is one of the leading causes of wrinkles (not to mention a range of other serious diseases like heart disease, lung cancer, and emphysema) [source: Forever Free: A Guide to Remaining Smoke Free]. Smoking damages the skin by narrowing small blood vessels, which reduces the flow of oxygen and nutrients to the face. Smokers also develop lines around their mouths from constantly puckering their lips to inhale cigarette smoke.

Lose weight in a healthy way. Yo-yo dieting, which many women use to shed extra pounds, can severely affect the skin. Repeatedly losing and regaining weight stretches the skin, causing it to lose its elasticity and reducing the fat beneath the skin. 'You can manage it in your 20s and possibly 30s, but once you're in your 40s, yo-yo dieting can cause more noticeable loss of fat in the face,' explains Dr. Weiss.

Don’t squint. When your mother told you that making faces would leave your expression stuck that way, she was partially right. Constant frowning, squinting, or scowling can lead to permanent lines. Protect your eyes with sunglasses outdoors to prevent squinting, and remember to smile more often!

If you’re noticing the first signs of aging on your skin, there are ways to reduce the appearance of wrinkles. However, it’s important to rely on proven methods rather than falling for false promises. No ‘miracle cures’ exist for wrinkles—no cream, gel, or pill will reverse a 60-year-old’s skin to look like they’re 20. That said, there is evidence that certain creams and topical treatments containing antioxidants such as vitamins C and E, selenium, or retinoic acid (a form of vitamin A) can help reduce the appearance of wrinkles [sources: Burke KE, Weiss].